Round Ligament Pain

I am 13 weeks pregnant and everything is going great. My only question is...what is round ligament pain and what does it feel like?
Would I be feeling it so early? I ask because I have had mild cramping and back pain since yesterday on and off. No spotting or bleeding, just annoying little cramps. TIA

Re: Round Ligament Pain

Yes, the crampy, annoying pain is round ligament pain.

Re: Round Ligament Pain

Thanks, Karen. I guess I'm just nervous of something going wrong because I have a history of m/c...but I've made it to my second trimester so I should try to stop worrying as much.

Re: Round Ligament Pain

Yeah, I understand. Pregnancy is just a worrying time. Just try to relax, as long as you aren't bleeding you should be fine.

(Im 23 weeks with 2 kids and I still wonder about every little cramp )

Re: Round Ligament Pain

For me, the round ligament pain felt like a sharp stabbing in the lower pelvis--on the sides, especially when I turned a certain way. I definitely did get it at 13 weeks, in fact, earlier than that.

Re: Round Ligament Pain

Re: Round Ligament Pain

article:

What is round ligament pain?
It's generally a brief, sharp, stabbing pain or a longer-lasting dull ache that women commonly feel in the lower abdomen or groin, starting in the second trimester of pregnancy. You may feel it as a short jabbing sensation if you suddenly change position, such as when you're getting up from a bed or chair or when you cough, roll over in bed, or get out of the bathtub. Or you may feel it as a dull ache after a particularly active day, say when you've been walking a lot or doing some other physical activity.

The round ligaments support your uterus in your pelvis. As your uterus grows during pregnancy, the ligaments stretch and thicken to accommodate and support it. These changes can occasionally cause you pain on one or both sides of your abdomen. You may feel the pain starting from deep inside your groin, moving upward and outward on either side to the top of your pelvis (where your hips are). The pain is internal, but if you were to trace it on your skin, it would follow the bikini line on a very high-cut bathing suit.

Relief:

What can I do to relieve the discomfort?
If you've been reassured by your practitioner that what you're feeling is round ligament pain, sit down and relax when the pain strikes. Resting comfortably should alleviate your symptoms. You can also try flexing your knees toward your abdomen to get some relief or lying on your side with a pillow under your belly for support and another one between your legs. A warm bath may help, too.

If you find that you're more prone to round ligament pain when you're particularly active, cut back to see if that helps. Then, if you feel fine, you can gradually increase your activity until you find the amount that's comfortable for you.

Message edited 10/11/2006 3:37:34 PM.

Re: Round Ligament Pain

Re: Round Ligament Pain

Its such a relief to read this! I am 13 weeks and this describes exactly what I've been feeling!

Re: Round Ligament Pain

Message edited 10/11/2006 8:53:36 PM.

Re: Round Ligament Pain

I had really BAD cramping at the beginning... I would say its completely normal

Re: Round Ligament Pain

I think this might have been what I was feeling last week when I had to have the emergency sono! Thanks for this thread...it made me feel a lot better!