Hi Friend! You’ve made it to the 2nd trimester! Yay! There are so many of good things coming your way this trimester! Your morning sickness should be lessening and you might actually feel human again! Your sex drive should come back, and all of your crazy emotions should calm down a little bit. We often call the 2nd trimester the honeymoon part of your pregnancy. Why the honeymoon? Because people usually feel their best, and they also have an adorable little bump to show off! But… There are a few uncomfortable things that might make you wonder. Something call round ligament pain might bring you back to reality every once in a while. Round ligament pain is caused by the stretching of ligaments as your baby grows.
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Thankfully no, your baby does not feel the round ligament pain; it’s a feeling just for you. How is round ligament pain different from a contraction? Usually round ligament pain is short and sharp; the pain shouldn’t last more than a few seconds, typically while you’re moving. Contractions generally last at least thirty seconds and can feel like period cramps or intermittent lower back pain. Here’s how to tell if you are having a contraction: place your fingertips on your abdomen, on the front or on the sides. If you can feel your uterus tightening and relaxing, those are contractions. You won’t feel tightening in your abdomen with round ligament pain. If you are before 37 weeks and are having contractions that don’t go away with resting or with drinking a glass or two of water, call your care provider. Is there a way to treat or prevent round ligament pain? Well, unfortunately there’s no way to prevent your ligaments from stretching - it is a good thing that the ligaments are stretching, even if it doesn’t feel good. What should I do if I’m getting regular round ligament pain? If you’re experiencing round ligament pain regularly, talk to your care provider. There may be some stretches or exercises you can do to help your ligaments stretch without the pain. Here are a few you can try {with your care provider’s
Thankfully no, your baby does not feel the round ligament pain; it’s a feeling just for you. How is round ligament pain different from a contraction? Usually round ligament pain is short and sharp; the pain shouldn’t last more than a few seconds, typically while you’re moving. Contractions generally last at least thirty seconds and can feel like period cramps or intermittent lower back pain. Here’s how to tell if you are having a contraction: place your fingertips on your abdomen, on the front or on the sides. If you can feel your uterus tightening and relaxing, those are contractions. You won’t feel tightening in your abdomen with round ligament pain. If you are before 37 weeks and are having contractions that don’t go away with resting or with drinking a glass or two of water, call your care provider. Is there a way to treat or prevent round ligament pain? Well, unfortunately there’s no way to prevent your ligaments from stretching - it is a good thing that the ligaments are stretching, even if it doesn’t feel good. What should I do if I’m getting regular round ligament pain? If you’re experiencing round ligament pain regularly, talk to your care provider. There may be some stretches or exercises you can do to help your ligaments stretch without the pain. Here are a few you can try {with your care provider’s