What is Round Ligament Pain?
During pregnancy a woman experiences many aches and pains. During the first trimester she often has fatigue and nausea. There is normally also some cramping as the uterus starts to expand and grow. There is also the constant urge to go to the bathroom as the uterus puts extra pressure on the bladder that the bladder.
During the second trimester, most of the first trimester pregnancy symptoms go away, although a new one tends to pop up. It is generally referred to as round ligament pain. But what is round ligament pain exactly?
The round ligaments are the ligaments at the bottom of your belly, which are positioned under the uterus, and expand and grow to help support your uterus as it gets bigger. As these ligaments stretch some women find it painful and are concerned. Most doctors and midwives will reassure you that these pains are a normal part of pregnancy.
During the third trimester this pain can increase as your uterus grows even bigger and the ligaments have to stretch more to support the weight of the baby, amniotic fluid, placenta and extra blood that your body is carrying in your belly. If the pain becomes unbearable, ask your provider what pain medication is safe to take while pregnant.
Some women are concerned because they don’t have round ligament pain, or they don’t seem to suffer from it as much as other women. Not every woman will experience a large amount of pain. Generally, in a first pregnancy, the pain won’t start as early or be as severe as it is in a woman’s second, third and subsequent pregnancies. This is normal and to be expected.
After you deliver the baby, remember that your body has “memory” so after your pregnancy is over, and as your belly shrinks and your body returns to normal, these round ligaments will return to their former, pre-pregnancy shape and size. This shrinking may also cause some pain, but it shouldn’t be as severe as when the ligaments originally stretched to make room for your baby.
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Rasheda Collins says...
I truly appreciate this article. A burden has been lifted!!! Praise be to God. This is my 2nd pregnancy and I was a little worried because I am experiencing mild cramping on and off.
Carlissa Brooks says...
This is a great article.. This is baby number 2 for me andi was a little nervous because i have been feeling alot of pain and cramping. so now i know what it is, it is easier so deal with.
cindyandnic says...
wow.this is my first pregnancy.i did felt it too.i had cramp due to implantation and a week after that…sometimes it can be intense and felt like a sharp knife pain or sting by needle.but it wont last long..my nurse assured me its normale as long as there is no bleeding…
A.B.S. says...
Very informative article! I found it to be very helpful and it relieves some worry….
Becca G says...
Great article thought it didn’t mention there are exercises you can do to help this problem. Kegels do help as well as a few others.
nadine says...
Very informative article, but how long may the pain last ?
Valeria says...
I’m 25 weeks of my second baby and I did have this pain about 2 weeks ago on a very busy ans activity day, I was very sacry. I did took a warn bath, massage w/ oil and rest the pain stoped and I did’nt have this again. good look for all.
Jaemie says...
I am 28 weeks into my first pregnancy and had very bad pains throughout my entire 2nd semester. I have had multiple abdominal surgeries in the past and wanted to let other former surgery patients know that adhesions (scar tissue that forms internally post-op) may increase ligamental stretching pain during pregnancy. Don’t panic, it gets milder as the pregnancy progresses (at least it did for me).
josefina says...
thank you so much!!!! this is my third pregnancy but, i did not recall feeling this cramps. I thought i was having problems since my last pregnancy was 10 years ago and now i am 42. I made an appoiment to see my doctor but, feel much better.THANKS!!!
Michelle says...
This article is helpful I’m on my third pregnancy and have experienced all these symptoms. I’m concerned because I had really bad lower back pain went and had an ultra sound I’m almost five weeks gestation but all we see is 2 sacs no fetus yet. Still concerned.
Joan Romer says...
great article, helps me not to worry to much………
Tshego says...
Great article..i am 11 weeks in my pregnancy and it frightened me to feel these pains..atleast now i can rest with a peace of mind..
dani says...
First pregnancy here, wondering if this is only sharp, acute pains or could also be more of a dul ache? I feel more sore than crampy. Chalked it up to things changing and growing, it’s not outrageous or concerning to me. Would make sense here but it isn’t a “cramp” it’s as if i did a ton of sit-ups yesterday – and lord knows THAT ain’t it! lol!!
and prayers to you, michelle.
ps – i have a belly button scar form laproscopic surgery years ago – wondering how that will stretch out then…anyone else have that surgery/scar?
Ryanne says...
Hi dani,
I had laproscopic surgery a couple years ago also. I have had a baby since then and am pregnant again. I had 5 incisions, one in the belly button, and didn’t notice anything weird with the belly button. It never poked out, it just got completely flat and smooth.
I am wondering, though, if the scars that may have formed internally are what is causing my severe pain. It started yesterday and I’m going on 17 hours of pretty severe pain. It doesn’t hurt so bad when I’m just sitting, but walking is very painful. Didn’t get much sleep. I’ve been in tears a couple times and the nurse I talked to, said that is normal. Really?!?! I had a natural childbirth, so I know pain, I know I’m not just being wimpy! This is ridiculous!
dani says...
so sorry to hear that, ryanne! i would ask a doctor. unfortunately i have seen so far it seems pregnancy seems to bring out the drama queen in some of us….maybe first line of defense for doctor offices is, “oh, yer fiiiine!” to weed out some of the crazies.
i don’t think you should be crying. and if you’ve done it already…and it’s not like before….??? yea. i’d ask again.
and thanks about the scar question. it’s sometimes still quite tender if i poke myself in the belly button with my pants button, just wondering what all that stretchng and popping was going to do to it….
Karyn says...
If the scare still tender then expect more pain than most around weeks 19 until 23 as your uterus moves abouve the navel. Most women experiance some amount of pain around the navel at this time and if you have a recent scar that is still a bit tender just be aware its gonna hurt a little more especialy as you change possitions from laying to sitting or sitting to standing (mine sure did) but as said previous no pain during pregnancy should be sever and cause you to cry, nor even enough to be unable to sleep or move (lord knows pregnant women have many other reasons for this and pain SHOULD NOT be one of them) If at anytime you experiance pain bad enough for the abouve mentioned then definately make an apointment to see your Dr ASAP and if you are bleeding or have watery discharge make a visit to the emergancy room to be sure your not in preterm labour.
Bec says...
I recommend Magnesium Phosphate tissue salts to ease the pain. My pain had been excruciating but has subsided since taking them.