One of many common pregnancy symptoms during the second trimester is round ligament pain. It’s a typical symptom that you shouldn’t worry about at all. However, if other indications like extreme abdominal pain accompany it, you should seek help from your doctor.
- Bleeding.
- Contractions, which could mean the baby is coming.
- Chills.
- Fever.
- Lightheadedness.
- Nausea or vomiting not related to morning sickness.
- Pain or pressure in the lower back, another sign of labor.
- Severe pain that doesn't go away.
What can I do about round ligament pain?
Sometimes a light amount of heat can be applied to the area in order to help improve elasticity of the round ligament. This can be in the form of a heating pad or hot bath. Perhaps the most practical way to get round ligament pain relief is to simply avoid any of the sudden movements that trigger it.
When does round ligament pain get worse?
Round ligament pain may worsen when you move suddenly (for example, standing or sitting quickly, sneezing, coughing or laughing). What causes round ligament pain? A woman’s body makes hormones during pregnancy to make ligaments loose and stretchy. This helps the body adjust to the growing baby.
How is round ligament pain diagnosed?
Your doctor or midwife can usually diagnose round ligament pain from your symptoms and an examination. If you have bleeding or other symptoms, your doctor or midwife may also do an imaging test, such as an ultrasound. Your doctor or midwife may suggest that you take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen.
What are the initial treatment measures for a ligament injury?
Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.) are the initial treatment measures for a ligament injury. 10 Rest: You need to stop further activity that stresses the injured joint.
When should I be concerned about round ligament pain?
Round ligament pain is quick and doesn't last long. Call your health care provider immediately if you have: severe pain. pain that lasts for more than a few minutes.
How long is too long for round ligament pain?
The intermittent pain will also generally ease up a few weeks after it begins: It typically starts around 12 to 14 weeks as your bump starts to make its way out of the uterus, and then goes away by 16 weeks, although sometimes the pain will last a little longer.
How do you deal with severe round ligament pain?
Products to help you find round ligament pain reliefBelly bands and support belts. These products provide extra support to your growing bump to ease pressure on your pelvis and lower back. ... Heating pads and packs. “Heat can definitely help,” Dr. ... Acetaminophen.
When is round ligament pain the worst?
The pain may occur on one side of the body or both sides. It usually lasts only a few seconds, but it can last hours. It often happens repeatedly during the second trimester. Round ligament pain may worsen when you move suddenly (for example, standing or sitting quickly, sneezing, coughing or laughing).
Is it normal to have round ligament pain all day?
Pain is usually felt in the lower half of the abdomen, near the hip. It may only occur when you transition from sitting to standing, as the tissues in the front of the hip stretch. Or it may last all day, lingering. Even though your round ligament needs to stretch during pregnancy, it doesn't need to be painful.
When should I worry about abdominal pain during pregnancy?
Call your midwife immediately if you have stomach pain and: vaginal discharge that's unusual for you. lower back pain. pain or burning when you pee. the pain is severe or does not go away after you've rested for 30 to 60 minutes.
How do you relax round ligaments?
Try gentle stretches. Change positions slowly, which helps to gently stretch ligaments. Flex the hips before coughing, sneezing, or laughing to cut down on ligament strain. Avoid prolonged sitting, standing, or inactivity.
Does walking help round ligament pain?
Walking is one of the best things you can do for round ligament pain. Take deep breaths using your diaphragm as you walk. This helps to loosen up some of the tension on the abdominal cavity and the tissues — including the round ligament. The body and tissues LOVE movement to keep them from sticking to one another.
How to relieve pain from round ligaments?
If the pain is happening while standing or sitting, consider putting your feet up. Getting your feet off the ground can relieve some of the pressure on the round ligaments and reduce your discomfort.
How long does it take for a round ligament to heal?
If you do feel round ligament pain, try to remain calm. It's a normal part of pregnancy and will quickly dissipate. Most round ligament pain lasts for a few seconds and usually ceases as soon as you change positions, stop the activity you're doing, or get up from sitting or lying down.
What is the pain of a round ligament?
1 During the second trimester, the ligament that runs from your uterus to your groin is stretched, causing a sharp, stabbing pain or dull, achy pain.
How to diagnose a round ligament?
Doctors often diagnose round ligament pain by exclusion, or the process of elimination. If you’re feeling severe pain, you should contact your obstetrician or midwife immediately to verify that it really is round ligament pain and to rule out other causes, including: Appendicitis. Constipation.
What is the best medicine for a round ligament?
While there's no official treatment for round ligament pain, taking an OTC pain reliever such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) can help relieve discomfort. Make sure, however, to talk with your doctor prior to taking any medication or supplement.
What to do when you feel a sudden pain?
If you feel a sudden pain, stop or change the activity you’re doing until you feel comfortable. You may find that certain exercises or physical activities trigger pain more than others.
How to help a pregnant woman with a round ligament?
When lying on your side, you may find relief by using pillows to support your stomach.
What is the pain of a round ligament?
Round ligament pain is a common pain during pregnancy. You may feel a sharp brief pain on one or both sides of your belly. It may go down into your groin. It's usually felt for the first time during the second trimester.
What to do if you think you're in labour?
Call your doctor or midwife now or seek immediate medical care if: You think you might be in labour. You have new or worse pain. Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or midwife if you have any problems.
What is the Round Ligament?
The round ligaments of the uterus are strong, supportive bands of tissue that, along with the Broad Ligaments, keep the uterus stable in the pelvis. As your growing baby expands your uterus, these ligaments become stretched. This expansion and stretching is what generates the symptoms of round ligament pain.
What are the symptoms of Round Ligament pain?
Sharp, often described as “stabbing”, pain in your lower belly usually lasting less than a few seconds. Some women experience the pain more in their groin or genitalia than in their abdomen, but this is rare.
Should I call the Obstetrician?
Anytime you experience pain during your pregnancy, you should discuss it with your obstetrician or nurse-midwife, as pain is always a sign something is happening in your body that is abnormal.
What can I do at home for my Round Ligament pain?
Prenatal yoga: Yoga can be quite helpful, as can other stretching exercises. Particularly helpful is an exercise seen in the image. Putting your hands and knees on the floor, lower your head and raise your rear. This will stretch the tissues in your abdomen, hopefully alleviating the symptoms.
What is the ligament that supports the uterus during pregnancy?
Essentially, the round ligament anchors the uterus in the pelvis and maintains its anterior flexion during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the round ligament that supports your uterus expands in size significantly, while also stretching. This stretching and contracting can lead to pain and cramping. This pain is often described as a pulling sensation.
What does it feel like to have a round ligament?
Mostly occurring during the second trimester, round ligament pain typically feels like sharp pains in your abdomen or hips, which may get worse when you make a sudden move, such as going from sitting to standing, coughing, or laughing. That pain can sometimes extend to your groin area as well, and may feel like cramps at times too.
How long does a round ligament pain last?
Round ligament pain is something that should only last a few seconds or minutes, depending on what you’re doing. If the pain seems to be getting worse over time, or lasting a longer than it should, don’t take any chances; contact your doctor immediately to see what’s going on.
How to relieve pain from a round ligament?
1) Rest . The best remedy for round ligament pain is rest. This helps to relax the ligament. Rest may not be easy depending on your work and lifestyle. At the very least try to avoid prolonged standing and heavy lifting.
How to improve elasticity of round ligament?
Sometimes a light amount of heat can be applied to the area in order to help improve elasticity of the round ligament. This can be in the form of a heating pad or hot bath.
How to stretch butt?
The most common stretch is to put your hands and knees on the floor while lowering your head, and then slowly pushing your butt up in the air in a gentle fashion. Be sure to not push too hard. Doing this a few times a day for a minute or two can go a long way in helping.
How to strengthen round ligament?
Light core exercises are another great way to improve the strength and flexibility of your round ligament. Light yoga targeting the core is one the most effective ways to go about it. Swimming can also provide great relief if you have access to a pool.
Your Care Instructions
Round ligament pain is a common pain during pregnancy. You may feel a sharp brief pain on one or both sides of your belly. It may go down into your groin. It's usually felt for the first time during the second trimester.
How can you care for yourself at home?
If certain movements seem to trigger belly pain, see if you can avoid them while you are pregnant.
Where can you learn more?
Enter R110 in the search box to learn more about "Round Ligament Pain: Care Instructions".
What yoga poses help with round ligament pain?
There are certain yoga poses which are very helpful in relieving the aches and pains of pregnancy. The cat cow pose and the savasana pose are great stretches for round ligament pain.
How to relieve round ligament pain?
To perform this, you have to lie down on the floor with your back straight, your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Take a deep breath and tighten the abdominal muscles. Hold your breath in and push the small of your back on the floor using the abdominal muscles. Hold for a couple of seconds, then slowly exhale and resume the starting position.
What is the pain of a round ligament?
The round ligament pain is experienced as a sharp pain on one side of lower abdomen. It can be on either side and sometimes is felt on both sides. There are special stretches that provide some relief for round ligament pain.
Why do round ligaments hurt during pregnancy?
These extend from the uterus to the groin and can get irritated during pregnancy due to increase in the size and weight of the uterus. This can lead to pain which usually gets better with stretching the back and abdominal muscles.
What to wear when you have a hip problem?
Use a Maternity Belt. A maternity belt supports the growing tummy and can prevent many problems such as backache and round ligament pain. If you have sciatica or hip pain you can wear this belt under your clothes for support and pain relief.
How to get rid of a swollen uterus?
Take a deep breath and tighten the abdominal muscles. Hold your breath in and push the small of your back on the floor using the abdominal muscles. Hold for a couple of seconds, then slowly exhale and resume the starting position . 3. Gentle Stretching. Round ligaments provide support to the uterus.
How to stretch your back and shoulders?
To perform this stretch, get in the hand and knees position. Now tighten your abdominal muscles, and raise your lower back. Let your head hang loosely. Hold the position for five seconds then get back to the starting position. You can repeat this several times.
What causes a torn ulnar collateral ligament?
Other common sites of ligament tears and the possible causes behind them include: 1 Thumb: The ulnar collateral ligament can be torn when skiing (the injury is often called skier's thumb) or in a fall when the thumb is bent in an extreme position. 6 2 Neck: The ligaments of the neck can be torn during whiplash injuries when sudden acceleration and deceleration cause extreme movement of the cervical spine. The ligament tear is just one part of a whiplash injury, which may also damage muscles, nerves, and bones. 7 3 Back: The ligaments in the back can be torn by lifting something that is too heavy. 8
What is a grade 1 sprain?
10 . Grade 1: This is a mild sprain that damages the ligament but does not cause significant tearing. Grade 2: This is a moderate sprain that includes a partial tear of the ligament. As a result, the joint may show abnormal looseness.
How to tell if a ligament is tearing?
Symptoms. A ligament tear is painful and tender to the touch. You may see swelling and bruising. It may be difficult to move the joint. In the case of some ligaments, you may hear a pop or feel tearing at the time of the injury. You may also experience muscle spasms. 1 . Ligaments support and strengthen joints.
What ligaments are torn when skiing?
Thumb: The ulnar collateral ligament can be torn when skiing (the injury is often called skier's thumb) or in a fall when the thumb is bent in an extreme position. 6 . Neck: The ligaments of the neck can be torn during whiplash injuries when sudden acceleration and deceleration cause extreme movement of the cervical spine.
Why do ligaments tear?
A ligament tear usually occurs due to extreme force to a joint such as with a fall or another high-impact event. Common ligament tears are to the ankle, knee, wrist, thumb, neck, or back ligaments.
Which ligament is most commonly injured?
The ACL is the most common ligament to be injured. 4 . Wrist: There are 20 ligaments in the wrist and tears most often occur in falling on an outstretched hand. The scapholunate ligament and the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) are the most common ones injured. 5 . Other common sites of ligament tears and the possible causes ...
What is the function of ligaments?
Ligaments support and strengthen joints. Their main function is to keep the bones of the skeleton in proper alignment and prevent abnormal movements of the joints. Movement will be impaired when a ligament is torn, resulting in looseness in the joint or being unable to move the joint normally.
What Is Round Ligament Pain?
Symptoms
- Growing a baby takes a toll on your body, creating a range of surprising and often uncomfortable symptoms. Perhaps one of the most alarming symptoms, especially in your first pregnancy, may be round ligament pain, which feels like quick, sharp, stabbing pain in the abdomen, groin, or hip area. It can also be experienced as a persistent, dull ache. Everyone experiences round ligament …
Diagnosis
- Your OB-GYN will likely mention round ligament pain during one of your routine prenatal appointments. If they don’t bring it up, definitely mention that you are experiencing these symptoms. Your doctor will want to assess your pain level to make sure what you’re experiencing falls within the normal range and isn't something more serious. Doctors often diagnose round lig…
Causes
- Your uterus is supported on either side by cordlike round ligaments in the pelvis. These ligaments connect the front of the uterus to the groin region. As the uterus grows (from about the size of a pear to the size of a watermelon) and becomes heavier, these ligaments stretch, soften, and pull on adjacent nerves, all of which can cause pain. “[Round ligament pain] can occur from awakeni…
Treatment
- While there's no official treatment for round ligament pain, taking an OTC pain relieversuch as Tylenol (acetaminophen) can help relieve discomfort. Make sure, however, to talk with your doctor prior to taking any medication or supplement. In addition, the following steps can help relieve the achy or sharp pain you are feeling.
A Word from Verywell
- Round ligament pain is very common during pregnancy, so don’t be surprised if you experience some symptoms, especially during the second trimester. While the pain may be sharp enough to stop you in your tracks, there are a variety of simple strategies you can try to help relieve some of the pressure and discomfort. The good news is once you move to the third trimester, the pain ty…