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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Cramping Pain At 40th Week Of Pregnancy?

Im 40 weeks 4 days pregnant I have been getting light cramping pain for the last 3 weeks yesterday I had an internal exam and a half hour later had a very light bleed today I woke up and starting getting bad cramping in my back and stomach but I cant feel tightning Im still getting some light bleeding is this bad or signs of labour?
Wed, 5 Aug 2015
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OBGYN,  's  Response
An internal exam, especially if you are dilated, can cause bleeding and cramping for about 24 hours afterwards simply by the doctor touching your cervix. If you are in labor, the tightening will get stronger and regular with time rather than go away. Bleeding that is dark brown or purple or mixed with mucus can mean the loss of your mucus plug, which itself is not labor without contractions. I suggest you wear a pad to monitor the amount of bleeding- if it is bright red, or mixed with clots, or as heavy as a period, you should go to the hospital to be checked for labor, also, if you think your water broke, or have regular, painful contractions that become 5 minutes apart for at least 2 hours, or if you do not feel the baby moving when you pay attention in between contractions. I have a feeling you will be in labor soon! Good luck!!!
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What Causes Cramping Pain At 40th Week Of Pregnancy?

An internal exam, especially if you are dilated, can cause bleeding and cramping for about 24 hours afterwards simply by the doctor touching your cervix. If you are in labor, the tightening will get stronger and regular with time rather than go away. Bleeding that is dark brown or purple or mixed with mucus can mean the loss of your mucus plug, which itself is not labor without contractions. I suggest you wear a pad to monitor the amount of bleeding- if it is bright red, or mixed with clots, or as heavy as a period, you should go to the hospital to be checked for labor, also, if you think your water broke, or have regular, painful contractions that become 5 minutes apart for at least 2 hours, or if you do not feel the baby moving when you pay attention in between contractions. I have a feeling you will be in labor soon! Good luck!!!