How to get relief from round ligament pain

Round ligament pain isn't anyone's cup of tea: The sensation can range from uncomfortable to downright painful. The good news: It's harmless, and there are some simple things you can do to ease it.

What is round ligament pain?

Round ligament pain is a discomfort you may feel in your abdomen, hips, and/or groin during pregnancy. It affects up to 30% of pregnant women.

"Round ligament pain is extremely common. It encompasses many aches and pains that occur as your body is adjusting to your growing pregnancy," says Layan Alrahmani, M.D., a board-certified ob-gyn, maternal-fetal medicine specialist, and member of the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board .

"Round ligament pain is a misnomer, because we don't know for sure what's causing the pain," says Dr. Alrahmani, "but it may be the result of stretching the pelvic ligaments, including the round ligaments."

The two round ligaments are each about 10 to 12 centimeters long, and there's one on either side of your uterus. As your uterus grows during pregnancy, the rope-like ligaments stretch and thicken to accommodate and support it.

Ligaments stretch with the growing pressure of your uterus, plus pregnancy hormones make them more prone to stretching. As a result, you may feel aches or sharp pains, especially when you move.

What does round ligament pain feel like?

You may feel round ligament pain as an ache or pulling in the pelvis. Or you may feel a short, sharp, or stabbing pain, like a spasm in your hips, abdomen, and/or groin. The pain may start in one area (usually the lower abdomen) and radiate outwards.

Round ligament pain often occurs on the right side, but it can happen on either – or both – sides.

The pain happened if I moved too quickly (like getting out of bed or standing from sitting) or started sneezing – that was the worst! - BabyCenter Community mom

The pain might hit when you're walking or have been standing for a long time . Or it may strike during sudden movements, such as when you:

• Roll over or get out of bed
• Stand up quickly
• Cough, laugh, or sneeze

Round ligament pain usually lasts only a few minutes (or even seconds), and it can be mildly uncomfortable or downright painful, as some BabyCenter Community moms report:

"For me, the pain was only if I moved too quickly (like getting out of bed or standing from sitting) or started sneezing – that was the worst!"

"Some days it's severe – I almost cry – and on others I just feel minor discomfort. Sleeping with a pillow between my legs helps a lot."

"I've had round ligament pain for about a month (I'm at 36 weeks). It was only at certain times in the beginning and now it's any time I move."

When does round ligament pain start?

Although round ligament pain can occur almost any time during pregnancy, it's most common at the end of the first trimester and especially in the second trimester . That's because your uterus and the surrounding ligaments are really starting to expand then to make room for your baby. "Your abdomen may ache on one side or the other as the ligaments that support your uterus are stretched," explains The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

Round ligament pain can increase during fetal growth spurts and can last until the ligaments have stretched a bit, says Catherine Cram, M.S., an exercise physiologist and member of the BabyCenter Advisory Board .

Round ligament pain usually lightens up in the third trimester , though not always. For some women, it lasts until after they give birth and their uterus shrinks back to pre-pregnancy size, taking pressure off the ligaments.

Is pain in the groin while pregnant always round ligament pain?

No. You might have another type of pregnancy-related pelvic pain , such as:

• Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) occurs when the ligaments in the front bottom of your pelvis relax too much (from pregnancy hormones) and move.
• Diastasis symphysis pubis (DSP) happens when the gap in the pubic symphysis (a joint that widens to allow your baby to pass through your pelvis) widens too much and becomes unstable. This is rare and painful.
• Sacroiliac joint pain happens when the ligaments that connect the bottom of your spine to the sides of your pelvis relax too much and cause movement in the area, placing pressure on nearby muscles and nerves. This pain might radiate down your legs or cause lower back pain.

How is round ligament pain different from abdominal pain during pregnancy?

Round ligament pain is a common – and harmless – pregnancy symptom. It shouldn't last longer than the few seconds it takes you to change position.

Abdominal pain, on the other hand, can be a sign of a serious problem such as preterm labor , severe preeclampsia , placental abruption , or a medical problem unrelated to pregnancy, like appendicitis.

When to call your provider about round ligament pain

Call your provider about any abdominal pain during pregnancy if:

• It continues after you take a short rest
• You have severe pain or cramping
• You have more than four contractions in an hour (even if they don't hurt) or a contraction that doesn't end
• You have lower back pain (especially if it's new) or an increase in pressure in the pelvic area (a feeling that your baby is pushing down)
• You have vaginal bleeding , spotting, or a change in the type or amount of vaginal discharge
• You have fever , chills, faintness, or nausea and vomiting
• You have pain or burning when you pee
• You have difficulty walking

These symptoms may mean that you have an infection or another pregnancy complication , such as preterm labor or placental abruption.

Learn the pregnancy symptoms you should never ignore .

How can I relieve round ligament pain?

Try these strategies to manage and reduce round ligament pain:

• Stop and rest. When pain strikes, sit down and try to relax. Resting comfortably should help ease your symptoms.
• Go easy on your body. Pay attention to your posture: Keep your back straight and shoulders back. Avoid activities that make the pain worse, such as sudden movements or reaching or stretching too far. Avoid heavy lifting and standing for long periods, which can put stress on the round ligaments.
• Change positions while in bed. Experiment to find the best sleeping position for minimizing stress on your ligaments. Try flexing your knees toward your stomach, or lying on your side with one pillow under your belly for support and another pillow between your legs.
• Slow down. Try to avoid quick, sudden movements. If you notice round ligament pain when you're physically active, slow down a bit to see if that helps. When you feel better, gradually increase your activity until you find the right balance.
• Try a different form of exercise. Cram recommends swimming as a good option for taking tension off the round ligaments.
• Use massage. Gently massage the painful area with your fingertips.
• Apply warmth. Use a warm (not hot) heating pad , or take a warm bath to relax your muscles.
• Lean forward if you feel a sneeze or cough coming on. Try holding your belly for support, too.
• Wear a maternity support garment. Many moms-to-be find that wearing a maternity belt or girdle relieves round ligament pain, low back pain , and pelvic pressure by providing gentle, firm support for your growing belly.
• Consider a safe pain reliever. If the pain is interfering with your everyday activities, ask your provider about taking acetaminophen .

If these methods don't help, talk to your doctor or midwife. You may want to ask for a referral to a physical therapist who specializes in women's health.