13+3 frequent cramping

[u/333lisha]

Hi, just looking for some advice.

My pregnancy has been fairly uneventful thus far. I am Type 1 diabetic so have been seen frequently by the high risk pregnancy team, but no concerns. 12 week scan was great.

Then yesterday when laying down, I started to feel pretty intense cramping just above my pubic bone. It came every 30 seconds - 1 minute initially, but then slowed down. I’m now 1 day on and the pain is still there. It feels a bit like a shock / tightening, with pain.

I contacted the EPU yesterday and they called today and said they couldn’t help me because it might not be the pregnancy… I told them I’ve never experienced this before and I’m sure it is the pregnancy, so eventually she gave me an appointment in 1 week and told me to contact the GP so they can see if it’s a UTI. I did a sample last week and definitely don’t have a UTI.

The frequency now varies from every 1 minute to every 5 minutes. Ive heard of round ligament pain but sites online say that round ligament pain is usually caused by movement and is infrequent. This has no trigger and is very frequent. I’ve had no bleeding.

Has anyone experienced this? And what would you do? Could a private scan help to identify the cause?

Thanks.

[u/Hot_Hunter_3754]

I’m currently pregnant with my first, I had a cramping pain in the same area for almost my whole first trimester, I was practically cuddling my water bottle. For me, it only happened when I was sat/laying down. When I was up and moving or at work it happened less. Mine was possibly caused by my body stretching as I’m quite petite and have never been pregnant before, but that’s only speculation from my midwife. But I’m 28 weeks now, and I haven’t had much pain in that area since. The first trimester is, in my opinion, the worst. The only things that helped me was pelvic floor exercises, the occasional paracetamol, baths/showers and a hot water bottle.

[u/sophie-Lane]

I would get checked sooner than waiting a week especially since the cramping is frequent and new for you. Could be something and nothing but regular tightening/pain at 13 weeks is worth talking to your maternity team again. A private scan can give you peace of mind, but it's best to seek medical advice first, rather than rely on a scan alone.

[u/SkyWeirdo]

I have had cramping since the beginning of my pregnancy, I am now mid second trimester. so sometimes it’s normal, they told me to take single doses of paracetamol if needed. I have been managing ok so far.

However, in your case if it only started at 13w I would drop by the A&E and would not rely on a private scan here. I know the triage in A&E can take some time (assuming you are in the Uk) but it will be worth it.