Round ligament pain

When you are pregnant, hormones make your round ligaments looser and more elastic. They become longer and thicker. Your round ligaments help to support your changing body and stretching uterus as your baby grows.

Round ligament pain may trigger symptoms in your lower abdomen near your hips and groin, for example:

• cramping
• sharp, stabbing or aching pain — this may feel worse if you suddenly move, stand, sit, sneeze, cough or laugh
• a pulling sensation

While you are more likely to feel these symptoms on your right side, you may also feel round ligament pain on your left side or on both sides. Your pain can last for a few minutes or for a few hours.

Round ligament pain is most often felt during the second trimester. Some people have round ligament pain from earlier on in pregnancy.

Round ligament pain is common during pregnancy.

As your baby grows, your round ligaments stretch and get longer to support your growing uterus. This sometimes makes them spasm (twitch), causing round ligament pain.

Some things trigger round ligament pain, including:

• sudden movements such as suddenly standing up from sitting or lying down
• sudden increases in pressure in your abdomen, for example caused by sneezing, coughing or laughing
• standing for long periods of time

Round ligament pain is different to pelvic girdle pain (also known as symphysis pubis dysfunction). Both types of pain happen because of changes to your body during pregnancy. Round ligament pain develops when your round ligaments spasm from being stretched and growing. Pelvic girdle pain happens when your pelvic ligaments relax, which can make your pelvis joints move more.

While you feel round ligament pain in your lower abdomen near your hips and groin, pelvic girdle pain causes discomfort and pain in your pelvis and lower back area. You might also feel pelvic girdle pain into your upper thighs and perineum.

You can treat round ligament pain during pregnancy by:

• placing a warm compress over your lower abdominal area or having a warm bath
• taking pain medicines — most people can safely take paracetamol during pregnancy, but check with your doctor before taking any medicines
• resting — you can try lying on your side with a pillow between your knees
• wearing an elastic belly band to support your growing baby
• daily gentle stretches such as bending and flexing your hip joint — ask your doctor or midwife if you’re not sure how to do this

Here are some tips to prevent round ligament pain:

• Avoid abrupt movements such as suddenly standing up, sitting down or rolling over. Take your time to change positions.
• Avoid standing for long periods of time.
• Avoid heavy lifting.
• If you feel you are about to laugh, sneeze or cough, lean forward and place your hands under your belly and support it.
• Daily stretches and exercise can help — try bending and flexing your hip joint often throughout the day. Speak with your doctor or physiotherapist about what is safe for you.
• Notice any triggers for round ligament pain, and avoid them if possible.

If your round ligament pain continues, see your doctor to rule out any other possible causes of pain.

Seek immediate medical care if you have abdominal pain together with any of these symptoms:

• bleeding or vaginal discharge
• contractions, pain or pressure in your lower back
• severe pain that doesn’t go away
• chills or fever (Opens in new tab)
• feeling lightheaded
• trouble walking
• nausea or vomiting not related to morning sickness

Round ligament pain is not dangerous for you or your baby. Round ligament pain is a common symptom of pregnancy.

Round ligament pain usually goes away after your baby is born. Your uterus and round ligaments return to the size they were before your pregnancy.

It is rare to have round ligament pain when you are not pregnant. If you are not pregnant but have pain in this area, it may be a sign of endometriosis. If you have these symptoms, see your doctor for advice.

Learn more about changes that happen to your body during pregnancy.

Visit The Royal Women's Hospital website to learn about being physically active in a safe way during your pregnancy (Opens in new tab).

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

The Strong Women Strong Babies Pregnancy Diary (Opens in new tab) gives you information on how to look after yourself and your baby in pregnancy.