Menstrual cramps before and after pregnancy

[Warren Dew]

I have a weird question and don't know of a better place to ask it, so here goes.

How did peoples' menstrual cramps compare before and after pregnancy?

The reason I ask is because, well, we were getting ready to start the IVF process again with my wife's next period, only she got a positive home pregnancy test instead. Her infertility was due to endometriosis, and I guess her endo is gone, which is consistent with the fact that her periods have been entirely painless, as compared to a lot of pain with each period before the first pregnancy. However, we also made some major diet and lifestyle changes during that first pregnancy, so we don't know whether it was those changes, or pregnancy itself, that made the difference.

So, if you had painful periods before pregnancy, did they go away after you had a child?

[riogirl71]

Wow - a miracle pregnancy after 2 IVF babies! Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Warren Dew]

It's so weird. I mean, no needles? No anesthesia? We don't have to go to the clinic? No "discussions" with the doctor about how many embryos to transfer? Is this really how it's supposed to be done? Without the daily progesterone in oil shots, we're kind of lost.

At least since she is 40 now, it counts as a high risk pregnancy and they still took her in for HCG measurements to check for an increase - it looks okay - and we're going to get the early ultrasound.

Also, there's no guarantee it will stick. Most people don't even realize they're pregnant at this point - 5.5 weeks in. On each of our successful IVF cycles, we had two implantations and only one baby, so I figure we have about a 50/50 chance.

Anyway, I'm still interested in the question about menstrual cramps before and after pregnancy.

[Mellie_1233]

Interesting question. I don't have endo (as far as I know) but for me...

-on the pill before we were trying to get pregnant cramps were very mild
-off the pill while trying to get pregnant they were much worse
-off the pill and after first IVF pregnancy and after second IVF pregnancy they were quite mild again.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm..........

[riogirl71]

Sorry I can't help you with the cramps question, I bfed our DS then had an induced period then an ectopic and miscarriage and now another pregnancy. We have male factor fertility. I am also 40 now and my pregnancy is going well. Don't get too early of an US though, wait until after 7 weeks for a more definite answer. I had too early of an US and spent a week freaking out there was no yolk sac, but all was well.

Good luck!

[Rosario]

Menstrual cramps before pregnancy were horrible. I have stage IV endo and during menses cramps were over the edge. After I got pregnant they were almost non existent but slowly came back getting worse and worse after giving birth 7 months ago. Now it looks like it happened to us too (again). This time we weren't actually looking into treatment just yet but definitely thinking about out frosties. Late a few days and just today got a + on an HPT . Still shocked and in denial!