Round Ligament Pain: Understanding and Managing It

Did you know most pregnant women experience round ligament pain? It happens mostly in the second trimester. When your body gets ready for childbirth, the ligaments that support the uterus stretch. This causes discomfort. This article shares insights on round ligament pain and offers tips for easing pregnancy discomfort and managing pregnancy pain.

Key Takeaways

• Round ligament pain typically occurs during the second trimester of pregnancy.
• Quick movements and sudden positional changes can trigger this pain.
• Maintaining proper posture and doing specific exercises can help alleviate discomfort.
• Supportive products like maternity belts can reduce strain on the round ligament.
• Consulting with a healthcare provider is crucial if the pain is severe or persistent.

What is Round Ligament Pain?

Round ligament pain is a common issue in pregnancy, especially during the second trimester. These pains come from changes in your pelvic ligaments. These ligaments get thicker and stretch to support your growing baby. They can cause a sensation similar to spasm-like discomfort.

Causes of Round Ligament Pain

These pains happen due to your body adjusting to pregnancy. The round ligaments help keep your uterus in place in the pelvis. They stretch and become more elastic as your baby grows. This can sometimes cause muscle spasms and sharp pain when you move.

Symptoms of Round Ligament Pain

The main symptoms include a sharp spasm in the belly, lasting only a few seconds. Many women feel a pulling sensation near their bikini line. This pain often happens after changing positions or doing some activity. It is important to know this pain is different from other serious abdominal pains during pregnancy. It is important to differentiate round ligament pain from other conditions like hip flexor strain, which typically causes more localized pain in the hip area.

How Does Round Ligament Pain Feel?

It helps to know what pregnant women say about round ligament pain. This cause is one of many reasons for Pregnancy Abdominal Pain. This pain comes from your uterus growing. It makes the round ligaments stretch. The pain changes with how you move or what you do.

Sharp, Stabbing Pain

Round ligament pain often feels sharp and stabbing. This happens if you move suddenly. Like getting up fast, sneezing, coughing, or laughing. These quick movements cause a fast stretch of the ligaments. This causes a short, sharp pain on one or both sides from your pelvis. It might even radiate to your groin area.

Dull Ache After Activity

Doing lots of activities can lead to a dull round ligament ache. This may feel like ongoing pressure or soreness. It happens after moving a lot without stopping.

Be aware of these types of pain to help you deal with round ligament pain better while pregnant.

When Does Round Ligament Pain Start?

Round ligament pain usually starts in the second trimester of pregnancy. Your body is changing to make space for your growing baby. This can lead to some discomfort. Most often, this pain begins around the 14th week.

Up to a third of pregnant women will feel round ligament pain. It can feel sharp or like a stabbing pain, but it lasts just a few seconds. Some women may feel a dull ache all day if they overdo it.

Although this pain can appear early in the second trimester, it’s more common from the middle to the end. The pain usually goes away by the third trimester. This happens as the ligaments have relaxed and stretched to the point that it doesn’t hurt in that way. 

Round ligament pain may get worse as you move. It’s more intense for those expecting twins or triplets. Swimming can help ease the pain. It takes the pressure off the ligaments. Pregnancy support belts are also helpful.

If your round ligament pain seems severe or keeps coming back, check with your pregnancy care provider. Other symptoms like fever or bleeding could mean that something else is going on. For pain, Tylenol is safe during pregnancy. A moist heating pad is okay, too. But always ask your healthcare provider before taking any medication.

Round Ligament Pain vs. Abdominal Pain

It is vital to know the difference between round ligament pain and other abdominal pains during pregnancy. Round ligament pain is common, affecting 10 to 30 percent of pregnant women. It feels like a brief, sharp pain in the lower belly or groin. This pain usually happens in the second trimester. It’s sharp but doesn’t usually need a doctor’s visit, unless related to other symptoms like fever or bleeding.

Key Differences

Understand the difference between round ligament pain and other causes of abdominal pain. Round ligament pain happens when:

• It’s short, sharp, and unexpected
• It’s caused by quick movements or coughing
• It’s felt on the lower abdomen or pelvis, often on the side

On the other hand, serious lower abdominal wall pain tends to:

• Last longer and feel worse
• May be connected with with fever, bleeding, or vomiting
• Signal other problems and coincidental to pregnancy

When to Call the Doctor

If you have round ligament pain, resting by getting off your feet often helps. But, certain signs mean you should call your pregnancy care provider right away. Get help if your pain:

• Keeps going and won’t stop even with rest
• Is severe, like “doubling over” pain
• Comes with bleeding, fever, or vomiting
• Watery fluid from the vagina
• Makes you think you might be starting labor early

Knowing the difference between round ligament and other pains helps you do the right thing. This keeps you and your baby safe.

Common Triggers of Round Ligament Pain

• Walking for extended periods
• Sudden shifts in posture
• Engaging in physically demanding activities
• Actions like sneezing, laughing, or coughing

Managing Round Ligament Pain

Managing round ligament pain can make your pregnancy journey more comfortable and less stressful. Proper rest, gentle exercises, and changing positions help a lot. Heat therapy also significantly reduces discomfort.

Various methods for pain relief include rest, warm compresses, medication like acetaminophen, and supportive devices like belly bands.

Rest and Relaxation

The best thing you can do is try resting when round ligament pain starts. Lying on your side or using pillows for support helps. This reduces discomfort and eases ligament strain because gravity isn’t pulling down on the uterus.

Gentle Exercises

Prenatal yoga or swimming are great gentle stretching exercises. They maintain ligament flexibility and strength. Always check with your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise. Stork Advisor®️ has great Yoga in Pregnancy videos taught by a certified yoga instructor for pregnancy. 

Changing Positions

Move slowly and carefully to avoid sudden ligament stretches. Avoid sudden movements and quick movements like standing up too quickly. Gradual changes in position reduce discomfort.

Using Heat Therapy

Heat can soothe muscles and relieve pain. Use a moist heating pad or take a warm bath. Heat therapy is effective for easing pregnancy ligament pain.

Relief Tips for Round Ligament Pain in Pregnancy

Proper Posture

Good posture can make a big difference in easing round ligament discomfort. Standing or sitting properly helps lessen the pain. Try to stand with your shoulders relaxed and feet apart. When sitting, use a supportive chair or a pillow for your back.

Massaging the Area

A gentle massage can help ease the pain. Use soft, circular movements. It can help to apply a warm compress before massaging. This may reduce muscle tension and ligament strain.

Wearing a Maternity Belt

A maternity belt is a common resource for pregnancy. It supports your belly gently and reduces ligament strain. It’s very useful when you’re active or standing a lot. Using these tips daily can really help easing round ligament discomfort. If your pain doesn’t improve or gets worse, talk to your doctor. They can offer more advice and care.

When to Contact Your Healthcare Provider

During pregnancy, it’s key to know about round ligament pain. This pain is usually not serious. You can often ease it with gentle exercises and rest. But, there are times when you need to seek medical advice.

Don’t ignore pain just because you’re pregnant. Keeping both you and your baby healthy is what’s most important.

Signs to Watch For

Knowing when to worry about round ligament pain is critical. Sharp pelvic pain, frequent contractions, or more pressure are questionable signs. Other warning signs include changes in vaginal discharge, fever, feeling dizzy, or painful urination. These might point to other problems.

If you have constant abdominal pain that doesn’t get better with rest, it isn’t round ligament pain. You should consult your pregnancy care team. This also goes for lower back pain that won’t go away or if the ligament pain is always there. Bleeding, odd vaginal discharge, throwing up, or new, strange pregnancy symptoms are all reasons to call your pregnancy provider.

FAQ

What causes round ligament pain during pregnancy?

Round ligament pain occurs as the pelvic side ligaments contract, stretch and thicken. This supports the growing uterus. The ligaments stretching causes spasm-like discomfort. This discomfort increases as the uterus expands.

What are the symptoms of round ligament pain?

Symptoms include sharp pains or tugging feelings in the pelvic area. These pains may happen after sudden movements. They can feel like the tension from wearing a high-cut swimsuit.

How does round ligament pain feel?

Round ligament pain can feel like sharp, stabbing pains during movement. Or a dull ache after long activity. It’s linked to ligament stress.

When does round ligament pain typically start?

This pain often starts in the second trimester. That’s when uterus begins when the uterus and ligaments stretch more to fit the baby.

How can you differentiate round ligament pain from other types of abdominal pain?

Round ligament pain is quick and sharp, different from persistent abdominal pains. Persistent pains may be significant. If you have chronic pain, severe discomfort, bleeding, fever, or nausea, talk to your doctor.

What activities commonly trigger round ligament pain?

Sudden moves, lots of walking, and physical strain can trigger the pain. Changing how you do these activities may help lessen the pain.

How can you manage round ligament pain?

To manage the pain, rest and keep a good posture. Change positions slowly, apply heat, and try exercises. Swimming or stretching can help keep your ligaments flexible and strong.

What are some relief tips for round ligament pain during pregnancy?

For relief causing pain, keep your posture right and massage the area gently. Also, wearing a maternity belt can offer support and reduce strain on your ligaments.

When should you contact your healthcare provider about round ligament pain?

Contact your healthcare provider if pain comes with fast contractions, more pelvic pressure, discharge changes, fever, dizziness, or painful urination. These could be signs of complications that need quick attention.