How to Ease Round Ligament Pain During Pregnancy

As I began to approach my second trimester during my first pregnancy, I began to feel major discomfort along my upper thighs and into my hip and groin area. As my pregnancy continued to progress the pain grew worse and it felt like the muscles in that area were being stretched beyond repair. Some days the pain was so intense I could barely make it out of bed and struggled to walk. The pain was so excruciating I became convinced that I had surely torn some muscles. When I raised the issue with my OB, she basically diagnosed me with round ligament pain. Now, although she told me this was very common among expecting women this was the first time I was hearing of this. I therefore began to research the condition via Google and was surprised at how common this was among women. Even after giving birth to my daughter I continued to experience the pain well into a year. 

According to  WedMD  round ligament pain, "is a sharp pain or jabbing feeling often felt in the lower belly or groin area on one or both sides." It is caused by the "several thick ligaments  that surround and support the womb (uterus) as it grows. One of them is called the round ligament. The round ligament connects the front part of the womb to your groin, the area where your legs attach to your pelvis. The round ligament normally tightens and relaxes slowly. As your baby and womb grow, the round ligament stretches. That makes it more likely to become strained. Sudden movements can cause the ligament to tighten quickly, like a rubber band snapping. This causes a sudden and quick jabbing feeling."

If you are pregnant and currently experiencing discomfort as a result of RLP here are a few things you can do to bring somw relief:

1. Pilates and exercise - Pregnancy pilates did me some real good. The stretching helped to relax my body and muscles. Exercising during pregnancy can also help build muscle strength which can release some of the pressure on your body and ligaments.

2. Warm bath - A soak in the tub can really relax you and those sore muscles. A warm bath can also help relieve tension in the body. Add some essential oils to your bath. Try lavender and chamomile and just be sure that it is not too hot in there!

3. Get a massage - Getting a pregnancy massage can have some great overall benefits. A licensed massage therapist who specializes in pregnancy therapy would probably know exactly how to treat your condition. By applying some gentle pressure to the sides and groin area youcan experience soothing relaxation.

4. Rest - Remember that during pregnancy your body is going though lots of changes. You will need more rest than usual in order to stay healthy. Lay on your left side to ensure proper blood flow and oxygen flow and just take it easy.