Pain in Lower Left Abdomen

I experiences pain like that with my second pregnancy. When I had the ultrasound, I was told it was just my blood vessles being stretched, and that was causing the pain. It's the most uncomfortable feeling in the world.
Did the doctor say if there was anything you could do for the pain? I might suggest warm baths.
Hope you feel better soon!

Hi L.,
I experienced this with my first pregnancy. The pain was horrendous and would happen in my lower left or right side. I would crouch down with my feet on the floor, knees bent and head down until it passed. One day at my dr. appt. it happened and when she saw how much pain I was in she prescribed pain medication. I never filled the prescription as I was afraid to harm my baby and also I never knew when the pain would come. I am 5'1", I weighed 109 before the pregnancy and my baby was 8 lbs 14 ozs. The doctor said it was my ligaments stretching and it was happening because I am short, especially in the area from ribcage to bottom of abdomen. The good news is it didn't happen on my second pregnancy. Hang in there, mine went away by the beginning of the third trimester.

are you constipated? that happened to me and it was awful. drink lots of water or try prune juice. otherwise it probably is round ligament. ectopic would have becone a problem MUCH sooner. dont worry mom, just take it easy.

Go get checked for appendicitis. One of my best friends had to have an appendectomy when she was 5 months pregnant with her first son. Talk to your doctor, because if it is as painful as you say it is, it is definitely worth you getting it checked out. Good luck, and don't be afraid to ask your doctor questions. Remember, that is what they are there for.

K. Martin

Hello..sorry you are feeling pain..
It could very well be the ligaments stretching.
Or maybe have your doctor check your ovaries, through ultrasound, I have had cysts on my ovaries, and they are pain ful, and when they rupture, they create even more pain..
take care..drink extra water..
D., mother of 2, # 3 due in July..

Hi L., I hate to be an repeat here but in my own experince with my daughter, she is know 7 weeks tomorrow, I had the same pain and I am also a pre-natal massage therapist. Yes more likely its round ligment pain. It can be very painful. I worked all the way up to a week begore my due date doing about 5 massages a day. Also I carried my daughter pretty low so that could be onther reason why you are feeling it there. Also it dose go away. Just rember to eat healthy and dont gain too much waight, I presnoly only gained 19.5 lbs and my pain went away by the time I was a bout 30 weeks. Good luck, any other questions please free to ask. A.

It definitely sounds like round ligament pain. I'm 39 weeks, and I had pretty bad/sharp round ligament pain from about week 16-19 or 20. Once your uterus gets big enough to support itself, the pain should subside, and it should be happening soon. What helped me was to sit or lay down when it happened, as it usually resulted from me over-exerting myself. Have you noticed that it's worse when you've been on your feet or running around? Try relaxing and taking it easy when it starts hurting. Good luck, and know that it should go away soon, as your uterus grows.

This is normal. I had this pain with both my kids. Your growing a lot right now and what you are most likely experiencing is the ligament pain...they are expanding! Unfortunately it could last the entire pregnancy. It comes and goes and it used to hurt more for me when I would walk a longer distance, or sometimes getting out of bed. Sometimes it was painful enough to bring tears to my eyes, and others just an annoyance. I usually would stop what I was doing, take a deep breath and it would relax the muscle. All of my friends have experience the same pain, I would bet your Dr. would say it is entirely normal. Don't worry too much, but if you are worried, don't be afraid to give your Dr. a call, that's what they are there for!

-T.

Try this book: 8 Steps to a Pain-Free Back by Esther Gokhale, L.Ac. by pendo press. It's just out and I take the class in Palo Alto, ca. She's great at dealing with back pain by our posture mistakes Her website can be googled or go to egwellness.com/products/products.html or call 1-888-55-POSTURE. She created this process as a result of back pain she had during pregnancy. Perhaps you could even send her an email directly with your questions. Good luck! E. C.

It's always hard to not worry when you are pregnant. I experienced the same, and it ended up being nothing. Most likely attributed to a a stretching uterus and/or pressure on the bladder and/or where the baby's head or foot were and/or....... I think you get the point. It passed after about a week - everything seemed to re-adjust itself. I know a week seems like long time...... in the meantime think about all the marvelous things going on inside you.

The round ligaments and broad ligaments are what attaches the uterus to your abdomenal cavity and keeps it in place. As the baby grows, it pulls on the ligament which is very painful, usually sharp, and may be knifelike when you twist to add more pressure. It is normal, but may be painful throughout your pregnancy. My last pregnancy was like that, but my other two the pain came and went.

Hi, L.. I'm so sorry to hear about this pain. It can definitely be scary! I'm currently 11 weeks pregnant with #2, and when I was about 8 weeks pregnant, I had stabbing pains in my lower left side. I too was scared it might be ectopic, but an ultrasound confirmed a pregnancy in my uterus. There was a small cyst on my left ovary, that the Dr. said may have bled a bit or twisted and that could have caused the pain. My pain went away after a few days.

With my fist daughter, I was about 30 weeks pregnant when I had the same severe pain in the lower right. It felt like what I imagine appendicitis to feel like. It didn't last long, but was incredibly painful. When I asked the dr. about it at my next visit, she said that, first of all, my appendix was up in my chest, so it couldn't be that! She said that it was likely round ligament pain. I know it can hurt something fierce. Maybe acupuncture, or a prenatal massage might help. Good luck!

Hi L.,

I had that pain too..maybe not as severe, but the Doctor said that it was my muscles and ligaments expanding for the growing uterus. It shouldn't be too severe of pain though. Make sure that your Doctor thoroughly checks it out, as they have a tendency to say "oh, that is part of pregnancy..deal with it", which can be frustrating because it can feel so unnatural.

If you get the stretching of the ligaments in your hips, groin, pelvic area, which you might around 7 mos or earlier, just be careful not to fall or do any strenuous exercise or dancing, or anything that can pull your ligaments any further. I did that by mistake and the last 2 months have been horrible for me, walking like an old woman with severe hip and joint pain. I ended up with what you call SPD. A pelvic disorder where the ligaments loosen too much and anything extra can make things worse. It still exists, but not as much as before.

I am due this Saturday with my 1st, and luckily my hip pain is just limited to being sore throughout the night and not so much during the day. Guess my body is concentrating on the upcoming labor.

Good luck!
J.

It could be round ligament pain. Does it hurt consistently or more when you're moving? I couldn't walk at any kind of good pace for any length of time without getting these knife-stabbing pains in my side. However, after I sat down for a bit, they usually went away.

It would be very unlikely that the baby is causing pain by kicking. That won't hurt for some time yet (if it ever hurts at all - that never hurt me but I've heard it can for some - but, again, much later when the baby is more out of room.) It's also too late for an ectopic pregnancy. You would have known this many weeks prior.

It could def be ligaments stretching...this is about the time a lot of this can start...but, if it continues, do check in with your doctor again. It will probably go away on its own.

Good luck!
Jen

It could be your uterus expanding!

Yes, your doctor is right. I had it a lot too with both of my successful pregnancies. It is scary especially if you have had a miscarriage as I had with my first pregnancy. It will continue to hurt unfortunately for a while. But it does seem to get better from what I can recall.

Good luck.

L.

Call your doctor if it does not get better today!

I had this a lot too, and to the point where I was very concerned and asked the doctor repeatedly about it, and she always told me is was the ligaments stretching. I would mostly get it on the left side also, and at about the same time in my pregnancy. If you had an ectopic pregnancy it would have been apparent a long time before 19 weeks. And although you could be feeling the baby kick by now, it would not be strong enough to hurt... not yet! I hate to say it, but the only thing you can do is try a heat pad, and tough it out. Hang in there and good luck!

Hi L.,

After 4 pregnancies I'm very familier with this sort of pain and no it's not the baby kicking. It's your ligaments stretching and it gets worse after each child. Hang in there it will get better. I find that a warm bath or a heating pad on low heat helps.

Hi L.. I had this kind of pain with my first pregnancy (didn't notice it as much with my second - maybe because my skin had already stretched from the first). I think it is probably round ligament pain (that's what I always assumed it was). I'm glad you went to your doctor and he/she said everything was normal. I think I had it through most of my pregnancy, and just like you said, massaging it was probably the one thing that made it feel a little better. It seemed worse than labor! Take some DEEEEEP breaths when you have the pain, change positions, and keep rubbing. This sounds just like what I had, and I had a very healthy pregnancy and a very healthy baby boy (who is turning 3 in a couple of weeks). Keep checking with your doctor if you have any concerns, but it sounds normal. Hope this helps. Good luck with your pregnancy!

Hi!
Congrats on your Mommy-to be status!
I think that your pain is most likely your ligaments stretching to make room. I had those,too. If your Doctor has done an ultra-sound & everything is ok then that's most likely it. I know that with each of my pregnancies I couldn't help but think every pain may be something more serious. It just goes with the territory I think.

Go bless the little one & may all rub smooth for you!
Pammy

You might want to talk with a chiropractor. I have a friend who is the mother of two darling boys who is a chiropractor, and will make house calls. She can help your body cope with the changes caused by pregnancy. She's a Mamasource member and is listed in the directory as Fountain of Health Family Chiropractic: Virgilija Tali ____@____.com

good luck!

C. H

I am about 35 weeks pregnant and have experienced lower left abdominal pain through most of my pregnancy. My pain is usually a sharper kind of pain. It is from your ligaments and skin and everything else stretching and moving. This is common. Make sure you discuss it with your obgyn if the pain is unbearable or just doesn't seem "right". I haven't found any good solutions for relief except for taking it easy and making sure my bladder is always empty.

Early on in my pregnancy I had pain in my lower abdomen. The doctors did not know what was going on and the ultrasound said the baby was fine. It went away after a week. As long as the baby is healthy, everything should be fine.

Keep breathing in and out.

Hello,

It could be what they call round ligment pain. I had that and it hurts to walk. Mine went away after a couple months, they say you could wear a support help the pain.

L.,

It could be pains from your uterus growing, especially if this is your first child. If the pain gets worse or has not gone away since yesterday, definately see your MD.

At five months with my twins I had an excruciating pain on my left abdomen. I thought I was having a miscarriage. After three hours in the emergency room waiting for my doctor, an ultrasound and alot of stress.... I found out that I had torn my "round muscle". This is the muscle that holds up your belly. My twins had gotten so big that it tore and everytime they moved or kicked, it caused it to be painful. Kinda like a pulled muscle getting poked. Do not take any chances, continue to consult your doctor. Wear the belly belt. You might have just pulled it, because when you tear it, you will head straight to the hospital it is so painful. Supporting the weight of your stomach seemed to be the only thing that helped me and it healed much quicker than I anticipated. Good luck !!

Sounds like those amazing round ligaments! I am 28 weeks pregnant with my first baby, the first time I felt round ligament pain I almost went to the hospital, they hurt realy bad and it freaked me out. It felt like really intense cramps in one area really low in my pelvic area, I just leaned into them and rubbed the area luckily they didn't last for more than a few days at that intensity. They went on for a few weeks but after the first few days it didn't realy hurt anymore. Just another symptom no one really prepares you for, but it just means your baby is doing its job: growing! Do you know what you are having? We are going to be surprised.

Sounds like round-ligament pain. I had this on and off throughout my pregnancy. For me it felt like sharp shooting pains, and sometimes it was a dull ache. I'm sure it's nothing to worry about, but whenever you have questions or concerns you should always check with your doctor.

I had a lot of round ligament pain during my pregnancy. It was particularly painful when I would be walking. I would actually stop and bend over until the pain subsided enough that I could continue. If the pain is really bad, maybe the doctor can recommend a pain medication for you.

Hi L.,

When I was pregnant with my 2nd child, I experienced that pain. It was the round belly ligament. Try to stay off your feet for a while and the pain should subside. Mine did eventually go away.
K.

Hi, I had that pain too. It was so bad I could hardly get around a couple days. It turned out to just be growing pains (round ligaments stretching). Hang in there, it should most definetly be better within a day or two more. If not, call your Dr. again, you should not have to endure too much pain.

L.,

Pain is a signal your body gives you for a reason.If this is painful and concerning you this much, you need to go back to your OB doc and be even more vocal about it. If you still aren't feeling like you are getting answers, then you can get a second opinion from a different OB doc which may provide a more substantial diagnosis, or hopefully, help put your mind at ease.

Good luck to you!

P. G.
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Hi L.,

I'm 18 weeks pregnant and felt that same pain. I've asked the Ob and they've said that is a "normal" pain, probably your uterus growing, and muscles stretching. I agree with the pain hurting so much... the doctor says that I'll be feeling it throughout the pregnancy! If you find out more, please share.

I had pain in both sides of my abdomen during my pregnancy. It was really bad on and off. It was "round ligament pain" and there's nothing to be done about it as far as I know. Round ligament pain can span into your groin area, that's how mine was. It was more where my legs connected to the rest of my body I would get these zingers that would land me on the floor. Is that like what you're feeling or is yours more constant? If you had an ultrasound and everything's alright I wouldn't worry too much, that doesn't help the pain though, huh? At least you're half way through and it doesn't last forever!

Dear L.,

I had a similar pain when I was pregnant with my now 2.5 year old twins. I even remember it was so painful I could not seat. My Dr did an ultrasound and said that everything looks normal and that is most likely it was due to stretching ligaments. The pain went away after couple of weeks. I suggest keep an eye on it, if pain gets stronger or you see any sings of vaginal bleeding call your dr again.

Good Luck
N.

Hello, I would call your doctor if you haven't already done so. Yes pain in that region can just be par for the course in pregnancy, but sometimes it can be something else like your gall blatter or kidneys. I have a lot of friends who have had gall blatter issues during pregnacy and they tell me that it is just no fun. I always error on the side of caution. Your doctor may tell you it is nothing and just try to rest or change your positioning, but he may also have you come in to run some tests to make sure everything is okay. I hope you feel better.

Hi L.,

Did your doctor check for any fibroids? I had the same kind of pains when I was pregnant and that's what it ended up being. I wouldn't ignore it. And maybe even get another opinion if possible.

A. R.

Sounds like round ligament pain. Lots going on in your abdomen these days. Best thing to do is call OB and ask. Better safe than sorry.

HTH
T.
Mom to 7 year old boy, 3 year old girl, 19 month old boy

I recommend acupuncture. I used it for an injury while I was pregnant (I fell on the ice on my rear end) and it worked wonders.

i also had this sort of pain with my pregnancies (2) and was worried at about it. it was slight the first time and much more intense with my second child. both times my doctor said it was normal though and just part of the internal changes taking place to make room for baby. it seems like you are far enough along that your body is now at the point that it is really changing and the baby/your belly should be getting much bigger. i know it started with me around 4 months and lasted right up until the end. by month 8, i couldn't even lift my left leg up to put a sock on without shooting pains under my belly (left side). but baby was fine both times as were my pregnancies. hope that is reassuring in some way!

Pelvic rocking with you on all fours rocking your hips seems to have helped a lot of people. It sure helped me with all those aches and pains in the body as you change and stretch.
Good luck

Ligament pain can be pretty bad, it is as if you have sprained and ankle and need to keep it still but you cannot, it continues to be pulled and stretched as the baby grows. Rest will help if this is the problem, so will pushing a soft pillow against it when you roll over in bed or get up from sitting. Constipation and gas could also be the problem. the ultrasound should have ruled our ectopic but you could have a cyst on your ovary that they missed. Hope this helps, B.