Round ligament pain is usually experienced as sharp or shooting pains in the lower abdominal area.  The pains can be brought on by sudden movement or changing position, such as standing up or even turning around in bed. 

Round ligament pain is often felt on the sides of the abdomen and can be either sharp and brief, or longer and dull.  The pain or discomfort is caused by the stretching of the round ligaments connected to the uterus as it expands.  The ligaments hold the uterus in place and must stretch to a great degree to accommodate pregnancy.  As the ligaments lengthen and thin out, nearby nerves may be aggravated, causing the painful sensations.

Many women find that changing positions relieves the pain.  If you find that certain positions or activities such as exercise worsen the pain, try to avoid them for now.  Round ligament pain disappears once the baby is born, although some women may experience it slightly after birth as the uterus shrinks back to its normal size. 

In first time pregnancies, the pain may start later than for those women who have had children before.  Round ligament pain is most common in the second trimester.  Having been pregnant before may increase the pains in future pregnancies. 

Round ligament pain is a normal part of pregnancy.  However if you feel cramping sensations that are similar to those felt during menstruation, contractions or the feeling of a tugging down of the uterus, pain in the lower back, fever, or any kind of vaginal bleeding, you should see your medical practitioner as soon as possible.  

Round ligament pain in a healthy pregnancy that is not accompanied by any other symptoms is common.  However, there are other treatable conditions that may be causing the pain, such as appendicitis.  Your healthcare practitioner can tell you if what you are feeling is round ligament pain or another condition.  If the pain persists even after rest or gets stronger, get checked by your healthcare practitioner to rule out other causes.

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