Round ligament pain « Back to Group Discussions

[jillbriana]

After escaping nearly all first-trimester symptoms (morning sickness), at sixteen weeks I'm having yucky round ligament pain. It was worse a day or so ago because I was dehydrated, so downing Gatorade and apple juice has made it more tolerable. But sleeping and walking are so hard. How long will this last? I feel like if I'm suffering so much with this discomfort that I'm really in for something with labor.

[MarieWalter]

Hi Jill! Sorry to hear about your discomfort. I've had just 2 episodes of round ligament pain. The first time it happened, I yelped and then was like "oh my gosh! that was awesome!" because I had literally *just* read what it would feel like and the description was so exactly spot-on with what I felt. :p

Obviously, it must get very tiresome very fast :(

I don't really have any suggestions - hope this is a passing phase for you. I find it annoying how so many websites are all "you'll feel great in the second trimester!" when this is clearly not going to be true for all or maybe even most mamas.

I wouldn't extrapolate about your ability to deal with pain in labor. One of the things that I always think about (first time mom, so we'll see how it goes) is that labor has such a nice narrative arc - when it gets harder, you know you're getting closer, etc. And that sooner or later, it will be over! Plus, all those amazing hormones get flowing to help you cope with labor pains. You don't have those advantages right now, so you're more stuck with other coping methods.

Hope you find some relief - I bet other people will have ideas and suggestions. xo

[jillbriana]

Thanks so much MarieWalter. The "narrative arc" of labor was particularly comforting to me, as I'm an English teacher and that's one I can grab onto. I'm a first-time mom too.

The pain is less now, a few days in, after lots of rest and tylenol and lots and lots of fluid. I'm thinking that I may also have pulled a muscle in there, or exacerbated that ligament by doing flip turns while I lap swim. Once I heal up enough to exercise again, I'm going to be going much slower!

[Virginia884]

I've read that sudden changes in positions can make them worse, so perhaps taking it eat and slow for a few days will help.

[Quinalla]

Glad you are feeling better! Sudden changes in position and twisting motions can bring them on for me, getting in and out of the car is one where they hit me if I am moving too fast and getting out of bed. If they get bad again, a maternity support belt/contraption might help! I'm thinking I may actually get one of those this time with twins, no matter how ridiculous they look Also, sometimes doing some hands & knees stretching would help too last time, if nothing else it gives your back a nice break which is good anyway.