Introduction:
Cramping occurs during pregnancy as well as after pregnancy also. The postpartum cramps are known as involution. These are natural cramps. Breastfeeding while pregnant can intensify nipple pain. The sucking of the breast releases oxytocin hormone, which induces contractions and can further trigger pain.
What Is a Pregnancy Cramp?
The body undergoes several physiological and hormonal changes during pregnancy. Most women experience some kind of bodily cramps during pregnancy. These cramps can be abdominal cramps, leg cramps, and breast cramps. If the cramp persists for longer and is disturbing, immediate medical care should be taken.
What Causes Cramps During Pregnancy?
The cramps could be a result of different changes developed during pregnancy.
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Hormones: The body starts releasing various hormones during pregnancy. These bring changes in the size of the body. The body begins coping with the increased demands to accommodate the growing fetus.
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Implantation: The fertilized egg inside the uterus can cause implantation cramps. It can sometimes cause slight bleeding during the early days of pregnancy.
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Uterus: The uterus begins to expand to welcome the baby. The stretching of the uterus can cause aches and cramps in some females. These cramps can radiate to the groin, pelvis, and hip areas. The pain can mimic that of menstrual pain. It involves the folding of various muscles and ligaments in the uterus area.
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Gas and Constipation: The high hormonal influx levels can lead to muscle relaxation. This slows down the digestive system and can lead to the accumulation of excessive gas and constipation. This can lead to bloating and cramping of the stomach.
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Ectopic Pregnancy: Persistent cramping on both sides of the uterus followed by nausea and dizziness can indicate an ectopic pregnancy. This is an emergency condition and requires the immediate attention of doctors.
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Corpus Luteum Cyst: This cyst is particularly seen during pregnancy. This produces hormones required for pregnancy. This cyst can also cause cramps. Often, these cysts are easily identified during the first trimester of pregnancy through scans. It can vary in size and gets resolved on its own.
What Is a Post-Pregnancy Cramp?
Post-pregnancy cramps or involutions occur after childbirth. It appears as a result of uterine contraction back to its standard size. Post-delivery, the uterus weighs around two and a half pounds. One week after the delivery, it reduces to half the size. Post-delivery cramping helps in preventing excessive blood flow from the uterus. The cramps are intensified during the second and third day of delivery and go off after a week or two.
What Is Tandem Breastfeeding?
Tandem breastfeeding is when a mother breastfeeds both an older child and a young baby. This demands a lot of energy from the mother's side. Both children should be kept in mind while feeding. The mother may develop nipple soreness or cracks due to the continuous milk demand and supply. The mother should meet the demands of a younger child who needs the mother's first milk or colostrum more than the older child.
Can a Woman Get Pregnant While Breastfeeding?
The post-pregnancy period is a menstrual-free period in women. This has evoked a wrong notion in people's minds, thinking it's a safe sex period. Hence, it is possible to conceive while one is still breastfeeding. If the mother has a child under the age of six months, she might not menstruate. But the chances of becoming pregnant are still possible though the possibility is less. It is unpredictable when the body might start shedding the egg for ovulation.
Is It Possible to Breastfeed the Child When One Is Expecting Another Baby?
It is possible to feed the baby while one is pregnant again. The body already has high levels of prolactin hormone due to the lactating child. The nipples are stimulated during breastfeeding. High levels of prolactin can interfere with the ovulation process and decrease the chance of fertility. This allows the onset of menstruation.
What Are the Signs of Pregnancy Observed During Lactation?
Some of the most common signs experienced during pregnancy during lactation are:
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Excessive Thirst: The increased milk supply and demand and the growing fetus's needs develops the urge for frequent hunger.
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Fatigue: Mothers might feel exhausted from doing small work during this period.
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Tender and Painful Breasts: If the nipples become too delicate and sensitive, a pregnancy test is advised at the earliest.
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Cramping: This can often mimic the pain of periods and can be extremely severe at times.
What Are Challenges Faced by Pregnant Mothers During Lactation?
Becoming pregnant while breastfeeding the baby itself is challenging. There are other factors as well which can cause difficulty in lactation during pregnancy. They are:
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Weakened immunity.
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Compromised medical conditions.
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Increased demand for the older child.
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Stress or exhaustion.
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Anemia.
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Nipple tenderness or physical discomfort.
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Decreased milk production.
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Women with a previous history of miscarriage should inform the doctor about the past, as the older baby's breastfeeding habit can initiate the oxytocin hormone to contract the nipples. Untimely stimulation of contractions can lead to premature delivery of the baby. In such situations, the mother should take control of the stimulated responses. One of the best alternatives is allowing the older child to start weaning after six months of breastfeeding.
Conclusion:
Every pregnancy is a different experience. Unpleasant events always follow the early months of pregnancy. From strange dietary habits to mood fluctuations, women overdose on hormones. Sometimes, these changes are shown as cramps. Women can overcome these situations by eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, taking rest, nipple care, and adopting comfortable positions while breastfeeding and sleeping. The needs of a born child and an unborn child should be balanced accordingly.
