Round Ligament Pain?

Hello K.,
I am 37 weeks pregnant with my 3rd (can't believe it!) and this pregnancy has also seemed much more painful in many more 'odd' ways - even the kicking is more painful. Anyway, I don't have any advice on the ligament pain, but wanted to suggest to you another website that I have been involved in: http://www.i-am-pregnant.com/ If you don't find the answer you're looking for here - perhaps you will find it on this website - and if not, it's still a great place to meet other expectant moms and a good tool for learning more about what's going on with you! Have a good one!

Hi K.--I am a Certified Nurse Midwife and hear this problem frequently. Just because it's normal--Common Discomfort of Pregnancy--doesn't mean you aren't still very uncomfortable. One of the best relief measures that I recommend is sitting on an exercise ball (also known as a Birth Ball). Anytime you are usually standing--sit on the ball instead--it will help a lot. Get one at Walmart or anywhere--in the exercise equip department. Also--get one for your child--because he will want to play with his!
good luck, and feel free to call me at my Birth Center for other suggestions-###-###-####.
Kathy

OH GOD yes! And I thought I was going to die! It was so uncomfortable. Try a pregnancy gertle and get a wedge pillow. The gertle was uncomfortable as all gertles are but I'd take uncomfortable over pain any day!

Hi K.~
I too experienced some of those same pains early on in this pregnancy. I'll tell ya from the get go...this pregnancy is really going to show you how different each one is! Everything I have expected to happen (that happened with my last one) hasn't happened and I am constantly saying, "I don't remember this happening before!" I wouldn't be too concerned unless you are experiencing bleeding or extreme cramping sensations. That's what my doc told me as well. Our bodies remember how to do this but are still a bit "elastic" and go back to their normal positions after births. You're probably a bit more aware of these this time b/c it seems like EVERYTHING is more noticable second time around! :) Good luck to you! :)

I had pains associated with cysts on my ovaries. I think that's fairly common and nothing to worry about. Pregnancy takes care of it but you can feel them breaking up or something. Hope that helps.

This is from my OB's website (http://www.michellemuldermd.com/) under "pregnancy helps":

Ligament Pain:
Experienced as sharp, intermittent pains in sides or groin areas. Worse with twisting, position changes, or after exertion. Do pelvic tilt exercise, sit with legs elevated, apply warm moist heat, or take a warm tub bath. Lie on left side and draw knees up to chest.

Avoid: sudden movements.

TRY: Tylenol or Extra Strength Tylenol, if needed.

She explained my pain to me as having the ability to hurt like a charlie horse, and it can. She said the lying on your side, but don't just limit it to your left - try your right if that doesn't work. Essentially, try lying down and changing positions slowly until it lets up. Try massaging the area and get off your feet as much as you can... Hope that helps! =)

I had this with both of mine. Unfortunately it got worse as the pregnancies went on. With my son, it was so bad, by the time I had him(two months early) that I was limping when I walked because moving made it worse. I asked my doctor and she said the only thing I could do was take muscle relaxers. I hope someone out there has a different rememdy for you. Happy Valentine's Day and Congratulations on #2.

K.,

I had the same problem with my first pregnancy. A maternity belt helped. It kind of holds your belly up and in when your ab muscles can't anymore. You can find them at maternity stores, online or on eBay and they cost $10-20. I heard they are also great after a C-section.

Interestingly, with my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th pregnancies it hasn't been nearly as much of a problem. When I got pregnant the first time, I was about 20 lbs overweight and gained 35. I wasn't in great shape when I got pregnant either.

After my first was born, I worked really hard on my abs and started my later pregnancy 25 lbs lighter than the first. I only gained 25-30 lbs with each pregnancy. Now, with baby #4, I only get the sharp pains when I overexert myself (lifting kids, heavy housework, etc.) I know this is hard, but you may need to slow down.

Best wishes,
S.

Hi, I had round ligament pains when I was pregnant with my son and they were always localized, usually on the right side, they never lasted more than a few minuted though. I had pains later on that were down low, like a cramp during pms, and the nurses tried to tell me that that was what they were, after about two weeks of them I went into early labor(8 weeks early), so if they persist and are down low I would really suggest that you see your doctor. Good Luck and Congratulations.

Hi K.
I know the pains you are talking about I got them when Hurricane Katrina had hit I was in my house so after I ended up at the hospital and All the doctor did was tell me to take it easy that the pain is caused by the baby laying too far down. The only way I could get it to stop was to sit still and I would talk to the baby, and rub around where it was hurting. I wish you the best and I hope I helped.

C.

I also had the same pains when I was pregnant with my second child. For the first part of the pregnancy they were in the front and would bend me over when I stood up. Toward the end of the pregnancy they were in the back. My doctor told me that the ligaments were stretched during my first pregnancy and the pain in the front is because my uterus was tilted forward a little bit. Later as the baby got bigger it went back to the right position and caused the pain in my lower back. He said it was perfectly mormal.

I got these same sharp pains when I was prego. They usually came whenever I worked in our church nursery and was lifting kids for a couple hours. Mine were pretty quick, only a few seconds long, and they went away on their own. Eventually I stopped having them altogether, when I got further along in my pregnancy. Just hold out...they should go away on their own (I think).

I had alot of these pains with my son! Like an ice pick going in about an inch lower than the belly button going straight in! I had to lay down, take deep breaths and chill out. I had some of these pains with my second pregnancy, but not as many. I think it has something to do with your body shuffling around for the pregnancy, but I am not sure.