Round Ligament Pain

I have to confess, for years I was not nearly sympathetic enough with patients who came in complaining of Round Ligament pain. Then, with my third pregnancy, I experienced it for the first time and immediately, I was more sympathetic!

The good news about Round Ligament pain is that it isn't a serious condition as far as your health or the baby's health is concerned. The bad news is that it can be extremely painful. It can be hard to believe that something that painful isn't a sign of something seriously wrong.

The non-pregnant uterus is the size of a pear. It is suspended in place in the lower abdomen with ligaments that begin at the top sides of the uterus and continue all the way down to the labia.

As the uterus begins to grow, in both size and weight, these ligaments begin to be stretched and tensed. This causes resulting pulling on surrounding and attached nerve fibers, causing pain.

The pain from Round Ligament Syndrome can present in any different ways. Most often it is a one-sided, sharp pain frequently noted when changing positions or rising from a seated or lying position. It is more common on the right side that the left because the uterus has a natural shift to the right. Some women can also complain of a sensation of great weight and heaviness in their labia, this is also a result of pulling of the round ligament, which ends in the labia.

There is nothing you can do to make Round Ligament Pain go away, however, there are a few things you can do to be more comfortable:

• If you are past the first trimester, a very warm bath or heating pad may give some comfort to the area.

• Speak to your health care provider about taking acetaminophen according to package directions, but do not take ibuprofen, it is contraindicated in pregnancy. Do not take any medication without your physician's recommendation.

• Change positions slowly, giving the stretched ligaments time to adjust.

You should always report any pain to your health care provider. Also report if you have any fever, pain upon urination, severe nausea and vomiting or bleeding.

One encouraging thing is that Round ligament pain often seems to improve once the uterus is totally out of the pelvis.