The cause: There are ligaments in the pelvis, called round ligaments, which are attached to the uterus and cradle it. As the uterus grows, the ligaments resist being stretched and create pain. Picture a tightrope with too many tightrope walkers on it.
It can feel like a sharp pain on one or both sides in the lower pelvis and can occur at any time. This condition is common and may even appear in the first trimester.
The relief: While uncomfortable and seemingly alarming, you can try comfort measures to ease this painful event. It is important to stay hydrated by drinking more water, as well as trying heat packs or warm baths.
As your baby grows, you can sleep with a pillow under your belly. It's probably nothing to worry about if the pain is mild and goes away when you change position, have a rest, do a poo or pass wind. But if you have stomach pains and are worried, call your midwife or maternity hospital. Any of these could be the symptoms of something that needs to be checked or treated urgently. If you're well, it's really important you go to all your appointments and scans for the health of you and your baby.
If you're pregnant, hospitals and clinics are making sure it's safe for you to go to appointments. They will advise you what to do. This is when a fertilised egg implants outside the womb, for example in a fallopian tube. The pregnancy cannot survive and needs to be removed with medicine or surgery. Symptoms typically appear between 4 and 12 weeks of pregnancy and can include:. Find out more about ectopic pregnancy. Round ligament pain occurs when the pelvic ligaments that support your uterus start to soften and even stretch.
The discomfort you feel is caused by the tightening of this pair of ligaments, or by the irritation of nearby nerve endings. Round ligament pain can feel different for different people. It may feel achy or crampy, sharp or stabbing.
You might experience the sensations on one or both sides of the lower abdomen. You'll probably notice the pain more often when you change positions suddenly, while walking or exercising, or when you cough, sneeze or laugh. Your uterus is supported by thick bands of ligaments that run from the groin up the side of the abdomen, connecting to the front of your uterus. Other causes of a sore lower tummy include increased blood volume your body is making more blood to nurture your baby and the buildup of your uterine lining.
Round ligament pain can begin at the end of the first trimester, but most women tend to feel this telltale tugging and aching around week This pregnancy discomfort can continue into the second trimester, but it almost always ends after you deliver.
At that point, hormone levels drop dramatically, and your uterus starts to shrink back to its normal pre-pregnancy size. Round ligament pain may be brief or last for several hours yet another mystery of pregnancy! But in general, round ligament pain is more positional in that different postures or activities make it better or worse.
You can take a few steps to help manage round ligament pain and ease discomfort. If resting in a comfortable position doesn't bring relief to your abdominal aches, or if your symptoms become severe, contact your practitioner. Make the call right away, too, if the pain is frequent and accompanied by other symptoms including fever, chills, bleeding, spotting, vaginal discharge or lightheadedness.
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