How do you tell the difference between period cramps and pregnancy cramps?

[babyfever79]

I'm 5 days late and have been getting cramps but I just don't know the difference (if any) between period cramps and pregnancy cramps. Articles I've read haven't told me much so i'm hoping personal experience from some of you guys will help me understand. I took a PT 2 days ago and it was negative, I plan on taking another in a day or due depending if AF shows up or not.. Thank you all in advance

 

[babyfever79]

I've also been constipated so I don't know if that's the cramps i've been feeling… I just wish I could tell what it was :/ I'm sick of getting my hope up that I may be pregnant

 

[cutestuff]

Stress and anxiety can be linked to odd cycles. I am remembering that when I first got together with my husband, I was on birth control but had a 6 week long cycle. No apparent reason all negative tests. I was maybe 20-23 years old at the time. I have had two other strange cycles as well. One when I was 14 due to a cyst on my ovary. It burst and I had to go to the doc. I had a 3 week long menstrual cycle and had some pretty good cramps going. I have had cycles on birth control where I had month long periods with no reason and a few months ago I had a random 9 day long period. When I went to my local public health department for my annual exam, they told me it could be a fluke or an early miscarriage even without a positive test, so I don't know. I think your best bet is to call your county public health department and see if they offer papsmears and such. That may help. Another option is to again wait 3-5 days and see. I have never been pregnant, so I don't know the difference, but I don't know if its supper common to have painful cramping in early pregnancy. Either way you should get checked out in case its an etopic pregnancy or something.....

 

[cdex67]

Hi babyfever, I know it's been a few days since you posted so I don't know how you're making out but...I am 16dpo, and pregnant. I just started getting cramps 2 days ago and they feel EXACTLY like AF cramps. As far as your late period, I would say if it doesn't show, keep testing. Do you know if and when you ovulated? It's possible that you ovulated late or not at all.

 

[writingislove]

Not pregnant (yet ), but I've talked to some women who said they couldn't tell ANY difference between regular PMS symptoms (cramps, moodiness, etc.) and the first couple of weeks of pregnancy. I've read that with pregnancy cramps, they continue for several days without increasing intensity, whereas AF cramps will grow increasingly stronger leading up to AF.