Help understand round ligament pain to prevent it from cramping your style…
From cravings to tiredness, the body may go through lots of changes throughout pregnancy. One of these? Round ligament pain – which is when the round ligaments that support your uterus stretch, potentially causing a pain that can feel like a stitch.
Read on to learn about round ligament pain, plus tips on how to help relieve it.
What is round ligament pain?
The round ligaments are connective tissue that attach the uterus to the pelvis on either side, holding it in place. As mentioned above, round ligament pain happens when these ligaments stretch during pregnancy. This pain can occur on either side of the lower abdomen, and it normally starts in the second trimester, but it can begin earlier.
Most pregnant women experience round ligament pain at some point. It’s very common and isn’t dangerous for you or your baby.
While round ligament pain isn’t normally anything to worry about, other causes of abdominal (tummy) pain during pregnancy can sometimes be a sign of something that needs medical attention– so it’s really important that you speak to your midwife or doctor if you have abdominal pain during pregnancy.
What are the symptoms of round ligament pain?
Round ligament pain is normally described as feeling like a stitch. It’s usually felt on the right side (but it can occur on either side). The discomfort may be triggered when you move, and it typically lasts for a few seconds or minutes.
What causes round ligament pain?
As your baby grows, your womb grows too – and the stretching of the womb can make the round ligaments that support it spasm, causing pain for a little while.
While it can happen randomly, sudden movement or increased abdominal pressure can trigger it, too. Some examples of triggers include:
- Standing up from sitting
- Rolling over in bed
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Laughing
How can I help relieve round ligament pain?
Before you try any of these, it’s important that you speak to a doctor or a midwife if you are experiencing abdominal pain during pregnancy.
Some ways to help relieve round ligament pain include:
- Changing position regularly, and rest if you feel sore
- Making sure to move slowly, and support your abdomen when you get out of bed or up from a chair
- Leaning forward when you’re going to cough or sneeze, and place your hands underneath your bump to support it
- Lying down on the opposite side of the pain
- Having a warm bath
- Resting on your side with a pillow between your knees
Pelvic tilting exercises
You may also want to try pelvic tilting exercises.
One example is kneeling on all fours:
1. On the floor or bed, rest on your hands and knees
2. Then, tilt your tailbone towards the floor to arch your back, like how an angry cat arches its back
3. Hold this pose for a few seconds, before letting go and returning to your first position
4. Repeat as many times as you need
You can also sit on a gym ball:
1. Sit up straight on a gym ball, with your feet flat on the floor
2. Then, slouch; let the ball roll with you
3. Hold for a few seconds, before sitting up straight again
4. Repeat as many times as you need
Similarly, you could try prenatal yoga. You can find classes near you, or you can find prenatal yoga videos online; the NHS has a 45-minute video you could try out.
Can I use pain relief medication?
Paracetamol is generally considered safe during pregnancy. However, as medicines taken during pregnancy can affect the unborn baby, you must speak to your midwife, doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medication including pain relief, to make sure that it’s suitable for you.
When should I speak to a professional?
Like we’ve talked about above, tummy pain during pregnancy can sometimes be a sign of something that needs medical attention, so it’s important that you speak to a midwife or doctor if you experience abdominal pain or are worried.
You must call your maternity unit or go to A&E immediately if along with abdominal pain you’re also experiencing:
- Vaginal bleeding or spotting
- Regular cramping or tightening
- Lower back pain
- Vaginal discharge that’s unusual for you, or fluid leaking from your vagina
- Pain when you pee, needing to pee suddenly or needing to pee more often than normal
- Your pee looks cloudy, pink, red or brown
- Or if your tummy pain is severe or hasn’t gone away after resting for 30 minutes to an hour
Remember, round ligament pain is normally nothing to worry about, and it will go away after a little while. It’s also very common during pregnancy as your body changes; it’s just your body adapting to help baby grow. Learn more about all things pregnancy on the Boots Health Hub, including what foods you should avoid and how to get a good night’s sleep while pregnant.
Frequently asked questions
What does a round ligament pain feel like?
While it can change from person to person, round ligament pain often feels like a stitch. It could also feel like a sharp, shooting pain on the right or left side of your lower abdomen (tummy).
What could be mistaken for round ligament pain?
There are quite a few things round ligament pain could be mistaken for, so it’s important you speak to a healthcare professional if you think you’re experiencing this.
You also need to see a doctor immediately if you’re experiencing severe pain along with the symptoms mentioned in the section above called ‘When should I speak to a professional?’
What are the three normal pains of pregnancy?
Harmless tummy pains in pregnancy can have many causes. Three common causes are:
- Round ligament pain
- Constipation
- Trapped wind
Why does it hurt to get out of bed when pregnant?
There are lots of reasons why it might hurt to get out of bed while pregnant. For example, round ligament pain can be triggered by sudden movements, such as jumping out of bed quickly. If you’re experiencing pain getting out of bed or while getting around, you should speak to your midwife or doctor for tailored advice.
What is the location of round ligament pain?
Round ligament pain can be felt on either side of your lower abdomen, which is your lower tummy. Normally, the round ligament pain area is on the right-hand side, but you can feel it on the left too.
