How Can I Get Relief From Round Ligament Pain During Pregnancy?

As your uterus grows during pregnancy, the ligaments stretch in response to the growth to make room for it and thicken to hold it in the correct position. Round ligament pain may appear as a sharp sensation or a stabbing pain when you change your position.

The Signs Of Round Ligament Pain

Round ligament pain is a short, punching sensation or a sharp pain that strikes more often during the second trimester. Here are some signs to check: 

1. The pain will start like a spasm from deep inside your groin, ascending upward and outward on either side of the top of your hips (2).
2. The pain most often happens on the right side. Sometimes, you will feel pain on both sides.
3. The pain will increase or intensify, particularly when you change your position suddenly.
4. You might also feel it as a dull ache, especially after an active day when you have been walking a lot or doing some other physical activity.
5. The pain, for the most part, stops maximum within a couple of minutes, even though the pain can be irregular and return.
6. Certain physical activities and quick movements can bring about pain.

What Causes Round Ligament Pain During Pregnancy?

Round ligaments normally contract and unwind slowly. With the growth of the baby and the womb, the ligament gets stretched (3). That makes the ligaments more likely to end up stressed. The round ligaments can get stretched with sudden movements, just as a rubber band snaps. This results in a sudden and speedy punching feeling.

How To Handle Round Ligament Pain During Pregnancy?

Round ligament pain is very common during pregnancy and though there is no so-called treatment, there are plenty of measures, that help to reduce the discomfort. Keeping away from sudden movements is one way to reduce discomfort.

Your doctor may also suggest the following measures to minimize the round ligament pain:

• Wearing the maternity belt.
• Stretching exercises.
• Bed rest.
• Bending and flexing your hips while sneezing, coughing, or laughing.
• Prenatal yoga.
• Using a heating pad.
• Taking a steaming shower.

How is Round Ligament Pain Diagnosed?

If you are experiencing frequent abdominal pain, your doctor may suggest you go for some tests. Typically, doctors may diagnose round ligament pain from your symptoms and history. Plus, they may do a physical examination to check the causes and severity. To be on the safer side, your healthcare provider may ask you to go for a Doppler ultrasonography. 

When Should I Seek Medical Attention For Round Ligament Pain?

You ought to inform your specialist about any kind of pain you have in the course of pregnancy. Now and then, more serious issues, like, an infected appendix, kidney stone, ovarian blisters, etc. can bring about pain, which can be mixed up as round tendon torment (4). The Round Ligament pain ought to show signs of improvement with time and appears quick and sharp.

If the uneasiness you are encountering just deteriorates and gets prolonged, it could be an indication of some more significant issues. Therefore, call your doctor immediately if the pain continues even after taking some rest and if you are experiencing:

• Severe pain that lasts for more than a couple of minutes.
• Changes in vaginal discharge.
• Fever and chills.
• Difficulty with walking.
• Pain or burning sensation while urinating.
• Vaginal bleeding or spotting.
• Feeling lightheaded.

Some Important Facts About Round Ligament Pain During Pregnancy

After delivery, as your belly starts to shrink and your body starts to get back to a normal (pre-pregnancy) state, the round ligaments will also start to come back to their previous, pre-pregnancy shape and size. Although this contraction may also cause some pain, it should not be as severe as the pain that occurs during the stretching of the ligament.

Some important facts about round ligament pain during pregnancy:

• Mostly, the round ligament pain is first experienced during the second trimester (5).
• Though round ligament pain may rattle and agitate you, it will not do any harm to your baby.
• There is no test to confirm the round ligament pain other than you experiencing it. The diagnosis is entirely based on your description. and eliminating the possibility of other issues.
• There are no measures to prevent round ligament pain.
• Usually, during the first pregnancy, the pain may not begin as early as or be as severe as it is in the second, third, or subsequent pregnancies.
• During the third trimester, this pain increases as your uterus becomes bigger and the ligaments need to stretch more to bear the weight of the fetus, amniotic liquid, and the placenta (6).

Round ligament pain during pregnancy is normal. It may cause painful sensations in the body. As far as relief measures are concerned, there are multiple ways to manage pain. From rest to stretching and heat therapy, these to-do things can improve the condition. Plus, consulting a doctor is crucial during pregnancy to avoid risks and get tailored solutions. 

FAQs 

1. How Long Do Round Ligament Pains Last?

Typically, the pain can last for up to a few minutes to hours. You may experience shooting pain, pulling sensations, discomfort, and cramping during the phase. 

2. How Do You Release Round Ligaments?

There are several ways to release round ligaments to manage pain. You can try massage therapies, stretching exercises, and prenatal yoga to improve the condition. 

3. Does Ice Help Round Ligament Pain?

Using heat or cold pads on the area can help relax your body. Further, resting after the heat or cold therapy session enhances the effects. 

4. Does Stretching Help Round Ligament Pain?

Round ligament stretches can alleviate discomfort.  Stretching relieves stress from the ligaments and enhances flexibility while reducing pain. 

References 

1. Anatomy, Abdomen and Pelvis: Uterus Round Ligament – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499970/]
2. Acute groin pain in pregnancy: a case of round ligament varicocele – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6159186/]
3. Abdominal pain in pregnancy: a rational approach to management – [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1751721417300210]
4. Approach to Acute Abdominal Pain in Pregnancy and Postpartum Period – [https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-29669-8_2]
5. Factors in early pregnancy predicting pregnancy‐related pain in the second and third trimester – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10541159/]
6. Trajectories of pain during pregnancy predict symptoms of postpartum depression – [https://journals.lww.com/painrpts/fulltext/2021/07000/trajectories_of_pain_during_pregnancy_predict.4]