Just when the nausea and fatigue of your first trimester wear off, a new pregnancy misery appears: Aches and pains in your belly and in your groin area. Congratulations, it's probably normal, and it's probably just round ligament pain. This is when the thick ligament that connects your womb to your groin area, and that supports your growing uterus, stretches and strains.
It's another one of those pregnancy symptoms that feels like something is wrong, but actually means everything is proceeding as normal. But how do you really know when it's round ligament pain and not something more serious? Here are a few ways you can tell and how you can ease the pain.
Round ligament pain is usually a sharp pain around your belly that lasts just a few seconds. It can often be caused by a sudden movement. Anything from sneezing to rolling over in bed can bring on a pain. By the way, back aches are common at this stage, though they're not the same thing as round ligament pain. That's usually your back adjusting to carrying the additional weight in your belly.
What's not round ligament pain? Question anything severe. Ligament pain is uncomfortable, but it shouldn't be OMG!!! painful. If the pain lasts longer than a few seconds, it could be something else. And if the pain is debilitating, that could signal a bigger problem. Definitely consult your doctor if any of these occur. In fact, never be afraid to ask your doctor too many questions.
Now, how do you make yourself more comfortable? Here are some common remedies, though you should check with your doctor to make sure they're safe for you.
- Yoga or mild stretching.
- Bend or flex your hips before you move.
- Over-the-counter acetaminophen.
- Heating pad on your belly.
Have you experienced round ligament pains?
Image via Sonja Dahlgren/Maskot/Corbis
