Round ligament pain is common during pregnancy, causing sharp pains in the lower abdomen due to the stretching of the ligament connecting the groin to the front of the uterus. Sudden movements like sneezing, coughing, and exercising can trigger the pain, but it can be prevented by changing positions or getting up slowly. If the pain lasts longer than a few seconds and is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s advisable to seek medical attention.
Round ligament pain during pregnancy is a common complaint among women and most often occurs in the second trimester. It is described as sharp pains in the lower abdomen, particularly on the sides, although in some women it may only appear on one side. The round ligament is what connects the groin to the front of the uterus and stretches during pregnancy, causing discomfort. While pain can occur at any time, it’s usually caused by sudden movements, including sneezing, coughing, standing up too quickly, or exercising.
The round ligament is responsible for keeping the uterus within the lower abdomen, and when the uterus is at its normal size, it does this job well. During pregnancy, however, the uterus grows in size, slowly stretching the round ligament until it is quite thin and taut. Because the ligament is already awkwardly stretched, any sudden movement that requires more stretching can cause a short, sharp pain in the area. Quickly moving from a sitting to standing position, rolling over in bed too quickly, and exercising can all cause pain. Unfortunately, simple movements like sneezing, coughing, or even laughing too much can cause the same pain.
Although round ligament pain during pregnancy is normal and usually nothing to worry about, it can be prevented most of the time. Changing positions or getting up slowly can prevent a ligament spasm from occurring. Before coughing, laughing, or sneezing, it helps to bend at the hips to prevent the round ligament from being pulled too hard. Exercise during pregnancy is healthy and should not be avoided for fear of round ligament pain during pregnancy, but it is helpful to replace jerky movements with smooth ones and stretch sufficiently before working out.
Some women may assume that their discomfort is due to round ligament pain during pregnancy, when in fact it is another non-pregnancy-related issue. Ligament spasms should be brief and sudden and usually felt right after a quick movement, meaning a dull ache, shooting pain that lasts for more than a few seconds, or long-lasting cramps are usually indicative of another problem . For example, appendicitis can cause pain in the sides of the abdomen, but it’s usually accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and pain that gets worse over time. Ovarian pain also often lasts much longer than a ligament spasm and is usually due to a ruptured cyst, not round ligament pain during pregnancy. Either way, if the pain lasts more than a few seconds and seems to get worse with various other symptoms, it’s probably time to call a doctor.
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