Cramps early in first trimester?

[Hahamama]

Thanks everyone! That's made me feel much calmer. It is so persistent. Also feeling a heaviness down low too, like pressure. Didn't get any of this the first time around! So nice to be kept on your toes!

[Hahamama]

IDK if this is a dumb question, but what is the corpus luteum? I googled it but the explanation didn't make much sense to me! Is it something that is always there or only when you fall pregnant?

[LuluHB]

I might get this slightly wrong but close enough hopefully for you to get the right story - its what's left after the egg has burst from the follicle that comes from your ovary. It is then responsible for secreting hormones until the placenta takes over and starts feeding bubs. Depending on how high your hcg levels are, the corpus luteum can be "stimulated" by the hcg and that can cause it to sort of rupture over and over again, causing the pain. I had pregny injections, which are hcg, until I got to 12 weeks and the nurses at my FS said that the additional hormones I was taking made it worse, but that anyone could expect cramping pain to stabbing pain until 10 odd weeks. The pain can come and go for no apparent reason, but I found if I stretched in bed, lifted something heavy (getting DD2 out of the bath was the first time I really felt it) then it was excrutiating.

I had an ectopic pregnancy years ago and the pain was so severe I was worried this time around that I had another one.

Not a stupid question (or if it is we're both dumb!!). Before this pregnancy I didn't know what it was either.

[Maruschke]

Totally normal . And my cramps made me think AF was always just around the corner, I couldn't tell the difference between the two at all. HTH.

[Hahamama]

Thanks Maruschke, it all helps!

That's a way better explanation than on Wikipedia, Lulu! Lol! Thanks for clearing that up.

Thanks cmkm, though the pain doesn't bother me so much, it's more worrying about what it might mean! Such a stresshead, sigh...