Round Ligament Pain During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a period when the body undergoes many physical and hormonal changes to support and develop the growing baby. As your pregnancy progresses and your baby starts to grow, you begin to gain weight. This increase in body weight exerts pressure on the joints and ligaments, resulting in various types of body pain, especially ligament pain. One common discomfort many women experience is round ligament pain during pregnancy, which occurs as the ligaments stretch to accommodate the expanding uterus. It’s essential to rest, practice gentle stretching exercises, and consult a healthcare provider if the pain becomes severe or persistent.

What Is Round Ligament Pain?

Round ligament pain is a sudden but short pain that is felt on either side of the abdomen or groin region. This pain is normal and most likely to be experienced during the middle of your pregnancy. As the baby grows inside you, the round ligaments in your pelvis begin to experience spasms due to the continuous stretching. Round ligament pain during pregnancy might be experienced when you try to move around or shift your position while you are seated or sleeping.

When Does It Start?

Round ligament pain during pregnancy typically starts around the second trimester, usually between 14 and 26 weeks. As the uterus expands to accommodate the growing baby, the round ligaments that support the uterus stretch and become tense. This stretching can cause sharp, stabbing pains or a dull ache, often felt in the lower abdomen or on one side. The pain may be more noticeable when changing positions, such as standing up quickly, coughing, or laughing.

Causes of Round Ligament Pain

The causes of round ligament pain during pregnancy are as follows:

• Changes in the round ligament supporting your uterus to accommodate the increase in weight
• Increased blood flow (which manifests to support the growing baby)
• Physical stress caused by simple daily actions like walking

Symptoms of Round Ligament Pain

Round ligament pain during early pregnancy is characterised by the following symptoms:

• Experiencing contractions that last for a long period of time
• Increasing pain in the pelvis and extreme pain in the lower back area
• Spotting or bleeding and abnormal vaginal discharge
• Burning sensation or pain during urination
• Difficulty in walking
• Fever, nausea, dizziness or vomiting
• Sharp, sudden spasms in the belly

If any of these symptoms are prolonged, then it is an indication of ligament pain that warrants the necessary action to be taken.

How Long Does It Last?

Round ligament pain during pregnancy usually lasts for a few seconds to a few minutes at a time, but it can occur intermittently throughout the second trimester and sometimes into the third trimester. For most women, the pain diminishes or becomes less frequent as the pregnancy progresses and the body adjusts to the changes. However, the intensity and duration of the pain can vary from person to person. 

How Does Round Ligament Pain Differ From Abdominal Pain?

The difference between ligament pain and abdominal pain is that ligament pain is usual during pregnancy and is harmless. Ligament pain does not last for more than a few seconds. Abdominal pain or cramping during pregnancy, on the other hand, could be a sign of a serious problem such as severe preeclampsia, preterm labour, placental abruption or a problem that is unrelated to pregnancy, such as appendicitis.

Complications of Having Round Ligament Pain When Pregnant

Round ligament pain during pregnancy does not have any harmful effects and is a natural process by which the body adjusts to the physical changes it’s undergoing. Pregnant women can face certain minor complications as a result of round ligament pains:

• Sharp spasms and contractions that last for a long period of time
• Bouts of nausea and vomiting accompanied by chills and fever
• Increased spotting and vaginal discharge
• Extreme, unbearable pain in the pelvic region and lower back area

In addition to these minor complications or unease, ligament pain does not have much of an impact on pregnant women.

Treatment for Round Ligament Pain

If you are suffering from round ligament pain, you can contact your doctor to discuss the possible remedies you can take to reduce the pain. The doctor will advise a dosage of acetaminophen (paracetamol) in case the ligament pain is unbearable and hurts too much.

Home Remedies for Round Ligament Pain While Pregnant

These simple yet effective remedies to reduce the impact of ligament pain can be practised at home.

• Relaxation: Simply wait for the pain to pass through and resume work once the pain is gone.
• Slow down: If you are always on the move, consider reducing the pace of your activities if you notice round ligament pain. Increase the pace when you feel better.
• Massage: Massaging the affected area will provide some relief from pain.
• Hot compress: Hot soaks, hot water baths or applying warmth to the affected area will also bring relief.
• Changing your position: Lying on the opposite side may also help.

Prevention

It is not easy to prevent ligament pain. However, the following are certain activities which you can do or avoid in order to prevent severe round ligament pain:

• Practice good body mechanics: Maintain a good posture. Keep your shoulders back and your back straight. Good body mechanics will help in preventing severe bouts of ligament pain.
• Practice yoga: Practicing prenatal yoga will strengthen your muscles and reduce the impact of weight gain on the ligaments.
• Avoid sudden movements: Avoid sudden movements and change positions as slowly as possible to avoid stretching and pain.

When to Contact Your Doctor

Mild ligament pain lasts only for a few seconds and can be managed at home. If the pain lasts longer than a few seconds and is severe, you must contact your doctor. The following situations also merit a call to the doctor:

• Continuous pain with increasing severity
• Pain accompanied by fever and chills
• Pain lasts for more than a few minutes
• You experience pain during urination

Exercises for Round Ligament Pain in Pregnancy

Regular exercise can help in relieving the discomfort caused by ligament pain. Following are a few exercises which will help you in case of pain:

• Gentle stretches: Keep your hands and knees on the floor and lower your head towards them. Gently arch your back. This will provide relief to the aching ligaments.
• Pelvic rock: Continue to stay in the position as in the exercise above. Tighten your abdominal muscles. Let your head hang down loosely and hold this position for five seconds.
• Pelvic tilt: To perform this exercise, lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat. Breathe in deeply and tighten the abdominal muscles. Push your back more towards the floor while holding your breath and remain in this position for five seconds before exhaling.

Can You Use a Maternity Belt?

You can use a maternity belt as it supports the bump and relieves the pain. The belt should be used for a limited time instead of using it for the entire day. You should also consult your doctor before starting the usage of a maternity belt. A maternity belt only helps reduce the pain, but it does not cure the underlying conditions of the pain.

Some Important Facts

Some important facts to note about round ligament pain:

• Round ligament pain is only temporary and will disappear in the third trimester of pregnancy.
• The condition doesn’t harm the baby or the mother in any way and is completely natural.
• Ligament pain does not require any medication and usually subsides on its own. Medication is suggested only when the pain is too severe or the symptoms or the pain is prolonged.

FAQs

1. Can exercise or physical activity trigger round ligament pain?

Yes, certain physical activities, especially those that involve quick movements or stretching, can trigger round ligament pain. Sudden changes in position, such as standing up quickly or twisting the torso, may cause sharp pain. Gentle exercise, like walking or prenatal yoga, can help manage discomfort, but it’s important to avoid high-impact activities or those that strain the abdomen. Always check with a healthcare provider before beginning a new exercise routine.

2. Does round ligament pain affect both sides of the body?

Round ligament pain in the first, second and third trimesters can occur on one or both sides of the body. It is most commonly felt on the right side but may also affect the left side or both sides at once. The pain typically results from the stretching and tightening of the ligaments that support the uterus. The sensation can vary in intensity and location, depending on how the ligaments are stretching.

3. Can round ligament pain occur in the first trimester?

While round ligament pain is most common in the second trimester, some women may experience it as early as the first trimester. Early round ligament pain may happen as the uterus begins to grow and the ligaments start to stretch, although it is generally more common later in pregnancy.

Physical changes are bound to happen during pregnancy and there is not much that can be done to prevent or avoid them. Similarly, round ligament pain is bound to happen in the second trimester. The pain can be reduced by taking certain precautionary steps and maintaining a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy.

References/Resources:

1. Round Ligament Pain; Cleveland Clinic; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21642-round-ligament-pain

2. Round ligament pain; Pregnancy, Birth & Baby; https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/round-ligament-pain

3. Round Ligament Pain During Pregnancy; American Pregnancy Association; https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/pregnancy-complications/round-ligament-pain-during-pregnancy/

4. Changes During Pregnancy: Infographic; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; https://www.acog.org/womens-health/infographics/changes-during-pregnancy

5. Chaudhry. S, Chaudhry. K; Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis: Uterus Round Ligament; National Library of Medicine; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499970/

6. Dhamecha. R, Pajai. S, Bhasin. T; Acute Abdomen in Pregnancy: A Comprehensive Review of Diagnosis and Management (Cureus); National Library of Medicine; https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10357893/; June 2023

7. Pregnancy stretches; Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy/art-20546838

Also Read:

Hip Pain in Pregnancy
Knee Pain when Pregnant
Joint Pain during Pregnancy
Stomach Pain while Pregnant

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