One of the most common pains during pregnancy is round ligament pain – and this is usually most common during the second trimester. Round ligament pain is considered a normal part of pregnancy as your body goes through many different changes and adjustments to your growing baby.
This is usually experienced as a sharp pain in the stomach, hip and genital area and can be extremely painful and uncomfortable.
What Causes Round Ligament Pain?
The round ligament supports the uterus and stretches during pregnancy. It connects the front portion of the uterus to the groin. These ligaments contract and relax like muscles, but much more slowly. Any movement (including going from a sitting position to standing position quickly, laughing, or coughing) that stretches these ligaments, by making the ligaments contract quickly, can cause a woman to experience pain. Round ligament pain should only last for a few seconds.
Can I Reduce The Effects Of It?
If you've been reassured by your practitioner that what you're feeling is round ligament pain, sit down and try to relax when the pain strikes. Resting comfortably should alleviate your symptoms
You can also try flexing your knees toward your abdomen to get some relief or lying on your side with a pillow under your belly for support and another one between your legs. A warm bath may help, too.
If you find that you're more prone to round ligament pain when you're particularly active, cut back to see if that helps. Then, if you feel fine, you can gradually increase your activity until you find the level of exertion that's comfortable for you
When Should I Call My Doctor?
If the pain persists after resting, or it is accompanied by severe pain, you would want to notify your health care provider. If the pain lasts for more than a few
seconds you should contact your health care provider immediately. You would also want to notify your health care provider if the pain is accompanied by any bleeding, cramping, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, or change in
vaginal discharge
Sign up now, and recieve Weekly updates on how your pregnancy & your baby are developing. Including pictures, nutritional advice, info on symptoms and complications and so much more!
Stages Of Labor
We have broken the different stages of labor up into 3 separate stages, each having their own experiences. For first time pregnancies the average duration of pregnancy is around 37 weeks and labor lasts for around...
hCG Levels
During the course of your pregnancy your hCG levels will increase and decrease, with the levels doubling on average every 30-31 hours until they peak, usually around the 9th and 10th weeks.....
Ectopic Pregnancy
During the first two weeks of a normal pregnancy when conception takes place, the egg would be fertilized inside....
Asthma While Pregnant
It is not at all uncommon for some women to experience a very severe itching in the last trimester of their pregnancy. In some cases, where the itchiness is....
One of the most common pains during pregnancy is round ligament pain – and this is usually most common during the 
