One visitor to our second trimester pregnancy forum asked: "I have heard a couple of ladies talking about round ligament pain and I was wondering if you could tell me what that was?" For the answer, we consulted The Unofficial Guide to Having a Baby, by Ann Douglas and Dr. John R. Sussman:
"Round ligament pain is the shooting pain in the lower abdomen that many women experience when they change position suddenly. It is caused by the sudden stretching of the ligaments and muscles that support the expanding uterus."
It's no accident someone was asking about this pregnancy complaint in the second trimester forum; it tends to crop up between week 14 and 20, and is usually quickly alleviated by rest or by a warm bath. Moving a bit more slowly and carefully can help prevent those sudden stabs.
However, if you have persistent, severe abdominal pain, you should see a doctor right away.
Originally published in Today's Parent, Pregnancy & Birth, Winter 2004. This content was current at the time of publication.
