Early pregnancy and cramping

I just found out that I'm pregnant... and aside from the usual overwhelming feelings, I'm very concerned about some cramping that I'm having.

I've been having menstrual like cramps low in my abdomen for the last 2 weeks.  I've read that there can be some cramping, but usually they only last a couple of days.  I'm waiting to get all of my new insurance info (just changed professions) before heading to the doctor to confirm the pregnancy.  Just wondering if anyone else has had this experience and how concerned I should be about it.

Thanks!

I had a lot of cramping throughout my entire second pregnancy. I just chalked it up to having a previous c-section.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, cramping could also be caused by a cyst on an ovary. You can read more about it here (about halfway down the page).

About the insurance stuff (I had no insurance when I found out I was pregnant with my first), there is a group that provides maternity care to people who don't have insurance. If you want to get in to see a doctor before your insurance gets straightened out, it might be an option. The group is Maternity Advantage.

Here in Kansas City we have an Ask-A-Nurse line. You can call 24 hours a day and they will help you as best they can over the phone. You may want to see if you can find something similar in your area.

I had cramping with both of my pregnancies, and it was nothing.  Mine started before I had missed my period, so both times I thought it was PMS.  I continued to have some cramping after pregnancy had been confirmed.  Cramping could be due to implantation.  The embryo implanting into the uterus can cause spotting/bleeding and cramping. 

I wouldn't be concerned, but that's just me.  If you're worried about it, you may want to call the Ask a Nurse hotline (although they'll probably tell you to go to the ER just to be on the safe side).   

I am currently experiencing that as well, and it can absolutely be attributed to the early development of the babe, your placenta is developing, your uterus is beginning to change, and there are a lot of changes going on in general in there. That's all it is. I am a midwife's apprentice and a doula, and it is totally normal.

Cramping in early pregnancy is totally normal. I had it myself fairly often. It wasn't too painful but it was very much the same as menstrual cramping. It lasted through to about my 10th or 11th week. I would say it would be concerning if you experienced cramping later on in your pregnancy, which could be indicitive of pre-term labor.

However, if you're experiencing painful cramping, especially coupled with more than average menstrual-like bleeding, it may be a sign of a potential miscarriage.