For some women, every ache, pain, or discomfort is a cause for worry while they are pregnant. Some don't worry much, but first time moms almost always think something is going wrong. This could happen for a few different reasons. The biggest or most common reason is because they have never gone through pregnancy before so they don't know what everything means. Some things can be normal and they can also mean something is wrong. That makes it hard to know what to do. Cramping during pregnancy can go either way, so it is no wonder it makes women nervous.
Cramping during pregnancy almost always warrants a call to the doctor to make sure that nothing is wrong. It often depends on the time of the pregnancy in which the cramping occurs. At times, the doctor will explain why you are having cramps and everything will be fine. Other times they may tell you to lie down and call back in a few hours, and still other times you may be instructed to come into the office or go into the ER to make sure that nothing is going on that needs immediate attention.
There are common types of cramping during pregnancy that won't mean anything is wrong. This is usually very early on. This cramping may even feel like what you would have if your period were coming. These cramps early in the pregnancy are things moving and stretching. Don't worry about them too much unless they are accompanied by bleeding. If so, call your doctor as soon as you can. Early on, however, if something is wrong there is not much that you can do about it. It's unfortunate, but that is the way that it is.
Sometimes you are going to have cramping during pregnancy as the baby grows. The growing of the uterus to house the baby and all that goes with it happens all the time, not just early on. You could get cramps for this reason at any time. Some of them are going to be light, and some may come with a pulling or aching sensation. You may get use to how they feel, and if they get substantially worse, you will know it is time to call the doctor because something else may be wrong.
Cramping during pregnancy that comes later on, but is not like anything you have ever felt, may be cause for concern. If these are strong enough to make you stop what you are doing, and come closer and closer together, you may be in labor (or preterm labor if you are not yet due). Some of these are Braxton Hicks, which are not dangerous. Lie down for a while and see if they go away. If not, call your doctor. If you find any type of discharge along with these cramps during pregnancy, go to the closest hospital as soon as you can. There may be nothing wrong, but this is not the time to guess. Allow someone to check things out.