Why did my legs hurt during labor?

[S.Elise]

Just curious of the physiological reason for this. During both my labors, when labor started to really get active, the worst pain I felt was in my upper legs/thighs. Its hard to descrbe the pain, but it was like nothing I have felt before, a pulling type pain, and it came on at the end of the contractions. In my second labor, I learned to love it since I knew it meant things were happening fast.

Anyone else had this and understand what caused it?

[Annie Mac]

I've been having that sensation for a while now (no baby yet though!). I could be wrong, but I think it's the muscles in the legs being pulled up by the contractions that start in the abdomen. I mean, everything's all connected, after all.

[LemonPie]

I had some of that too. My theory is that it happens just because of all hormones and pressure of the baby working to open the pelvis up for the baby to exit. But I think some of it is just referred nerve pain too, because I've had mild versions of it with menstrual cramps.

[Joyster]

Mine did too. I do get much milder versions during menstrual cramps and my friend gets that leg pain too.

[S.Elise]

Originally Posted by Joyster

Mine did too. I do get much milder versions during menstrual cramps and my friend gets that leg pain too.

Gosh, its been so long since I had a period (got preg with #2 just after stopped BF'ing #1) that I totally forgot that I had a very mild version of the leg pain with cramps, too!

[Dmitrizmom]

there are multiple reasons for the pain radiating down into your legs during labor and late pregnancy.
1. the femoral artery passes through the inguinal canal and can be compressed by downward pressure of contractions and the weight of the belly
2. pressure on the baby to the nerves in the lumbar and sacral area can directly cause pain.
3. referred abdominal pain
4. diversion of blood flow from the lower extremities to the abdominal cavity (gotta get the oxygen to the uterine muscles when they are working hard!)
etc.

[ann_of_loxley]

I get this during menstral cramps as well.

[columbusmomma]

I had horrible leg pain with both my labors, esp. DS'. I've always wondered why....?
It was honestly the worst part of those labors!

[GreenMamma]

Ligaments are connected to your upper thighs from your abdominal muscles and uterus. When those muscles are tense the ligaments feel the strain, causing pain in your upper thighs.

[Eresh]

I had horrible hip pain during labor that radiated down into my legs. My theory now is it was because of my tight hip flexors. I've been working on a lot of bound ankle pose and pigeon pose in hopes that it will help this time around. I have no idea at all if this is related to the type of pain you had though.

[Mrs-Mama]

Originally Posted by ann_of_loxley

I get this during menstral cramps as well.

Me too! In fact, I get a twingy/crampy feeling in my legs just as I'm starting...it's how I know Never experienced it in labor, but my labors were both cut short by c-sections.

[dannic]

I get this, and I always figured it was just an extension of back labor, or the pain radiating from my lumbar region down my legs. Mine doesn't ebb and flow--it is constant once active labor hits, just like my back labor. being in a pool helped this, somewhat.