Round Ligament Pain During Pregnancy

Along with joy, pregnancy also brings a lot of discomforts and pain for the pregnant women. Lots of unpredicted change occurs in a woman’s body during pregnancy. As a result of various hormonal changes, the expectant mother experiences many symptoms in her body. Round ligament pain is one such symptoms that an expectant mother experiences.

Round ligament pain during pregnancy is a brief, stabbing, and sharp pain or a long lasting dull pain that usually starts in the lower part of the abdomen and radiates to the groin region. Round ligament pain normally begins from the third trimester of pregnancy. It is one of the most common health concerns for several expectant mothers.

You may get round ligament pain if you suddenly alter your position, such as when you stand up from a sitting position, or when you are getting out of bed, laughing, coughing, sneezing, etc. You may experience dull round ligament pain mostly after an active day.

Round ligament pain is a common problem during pregnancy. Hence you need not worry about it. It is an ordinary pain that is caused when the round ligaments attached to your uterus stretches. Round ligaments stretch in order to prepare your body after pregnancy. More commonly, it occurs on the left side of your pelvis. Sometimes, this pain may get more excruciating. In such cases, you must report it to your doctor. Though round ligament pain causes no harm to your baby, it can cause you great discomfort during your pregnancy.

Round ligament pain during pregnancy is frequently mistaken for other medical conditions like appendicitis. Severe abdominal pain during pregnancy may also be a symptom of abdominal cramps, appendicitis, and ovarian cysts.

When you suffer from round ligament pain, you should sit down and try to rest and relax. Proper rest will reduce your symptoms. You can take a warm bath to alleviate the discomforts caused by sharp pain. You can try to flex your knees towards your abdominal region. You should avoid any bouncy or fast movement and move around slowly. Applying a warm pad on the affected ligaments will help to loosen your tight and stiff ligaments.

If pain caused by round ligaments is accompanied by chills, fever, severe pain or cramping, bleeding, spotting, an increase in pressure in the pelvic region, and pain or burning sensation while urinating then you must consult your health care provider immediately.