Round Ligament Pain: Sharp abdominal pain during Pregnancy?

Round Ligament Pain

First off, are you pregnant? If so, have you ever stood up quickly or made a sudden movement and experienced a sharp pain on the side of your belly. It’s quick and it definitely catches you off guard. This is known as round ligament pain and occurs usually in your second trimester and most commonly with pregnancies after your first.

What is the Round Ligament?

The round ligament is a band of connective tissue that originates from the uterine horns (sides of the uterus) and attaches to the labia majora. There are two round Iigaments of the uterus, one for each side. The ligament’s job is basically to hold the uterus in place but as the uterus grows to accommodate the growing baby, it pulls that ligament tight.

Why does Round Ligament pain occur?

Usually round ligament pain is experienced with pregnancies after the first one because the ligament starts out thick and tough but as your first pregnancy continues the ligament is pulled and begins thinning out. So by the second pregnancy you are starting off with a round ligament that isn’t quite as thick and strong as when you started your first pregnancy. You may still feel round ligament pain in your first pregnancy but it will be in a later trimester than when compared to your subsequent pregnancies. The pain is usually felt when you move from sitting to standing quickly, turn in bed or when you cough or sneeze. You may feel it on one side, both sides or it may switch back and forth. The reason most of these movements cause the pain is because the ligament goes from a relaxed position to a stretched position quickly. The pain is a completely normal occurrence during pregnancy, so don’t panic!

Chiropractic Treatment for Round Ligament Pain

Before receiving any treatment it is important to be examined and diagnosed by your prenatal specialized chiropractor or OB/GYN to make sure that the pain you feel is, indeed, round ligament pain. If you experience any cramping sensation, pain that lasts for more than a minute or two or bleeding, you must be checked by your OB/GYN. A great treatment option for round ligament pain is massage. This is a regular part of treatment at my clinic and let me tell you, it’s a favorite for all my expecting mothers. Most mommas love having the ligament worked on because it feels great and will relieve that sharp pain. And yes, if you bring your husband in, I will teach him how to find the ligament and work on it too! Chiropractic adjustments are also an integral part of relieving the pain because the evaluation will tell us which pelvis (and therefore, pubic bone) is rocked backwards or forwards. This means the pelvis that is rocked forward will pull on the ligament more, because if you remember it attaches to the pubic area. So, a chiropractic adjustment of the pelvis can help decrease the pain. I am Webster Technique certified which means I am a specialized pregnancy chiropractor. This is important because of all the unique changes a mother-to-be’s body goes through. If you are dealing with round ligament pain, there is relief in sight!

If you have any questions please feel free to call or drop them in the comment box below. To find a Webster Certified chiropractor like myself, you can use the ICPA directory.

Neha Shah, DC
Pregnancy Chiropractor St. Charles, IL
White Oak Family Wellness
405 Illinois Avenue #2b
St. Charles, Illinois 60174
(630) 442-0057
www.whiteoakwell.com