Round ligament discomfort is common during pregnancy as the uterus expands. This discomfort often manifests as a stretching sensation in the abdomen and may intensify with sudden movements or physical activity. While typically temporary, round ligament discomfort can cause significant distress if not addressed.
To alleviate discomfort, it is important to change positions slowly, avoid slouching, and protect your back when coughing or sneezing. Gentle exercises like clamshells, cat & camel, and Kegel exercises can help reduce symptoms. Identifying the root cause of discomfort, whether it’s related to round ligament issues or spinal disc problems, is key to effective management.
Chiropractic Specialty Center® (CSC) offers holistic, non-invasive care to address round ligament discomfort and other pregnancy-related issues. With a combination of physiotherapy and chiropractic techniques, CSC helps stabilize the spine and support the pelvic region, promoting a comfortable and healthy pregnancy.
What is the Round Ligament of the Uterus?
The round ligament of the uterus is a fibromuscular structure that attaches each side of the uterus to the pelvic wall. As pregnancy progresses, the round ligaments stretch to accommodate the growing baby, especially in the second and third trimesters, leading to discomfort. This discomfort may be felt in the groin, hips, back, tailbone, or pelvic region.
The Role of the Round Ligament During Pregnancy
The round ligament connects the uterus to the pelvis through a fibromuscular band. While it starts at approximately 3 to 5 cm in length, it can stretch up to 18 cm during pregnancy, providing support for the expanding uterus. This ligament stabilizes the uterus by connecting it to the groin area.
Discomfort from the round ligament may be felt directly in the lower abdomen and groin area, or indirectly in the lower back, tailbone, buttocks, and legs. These sensations contribute to the discomfort experienced during pregnancy.
Symptoms of Round Ligament Discomfort
Round ligament discomfort is typically described as a sharp, pulling sensation in the lower abdomen or groin, often on one side. This discomfort may occur during sudden movements, such as standing, coughing, sneezing, or quickly changing positions. While usually temporary, this discomfort can cause significant distress for expectant mothers.
Holistic Care for Round Ligament Discomfort at CSC
At CSC, we offer non-invasive care to safely alleviate round ligament discomfort. Our approach includes specialized physiotherapy, chiropractic care, and rehabilitative exercises designed specifically for pregnant women. We also provide lifestyle recommendations and home care instructions to enhance the effectiveness of the treatments and ensure long-lasting relief.
Personalized Consultation
CSC’s clinical teams have extensive experience in managing pregnancy-related discomfort. Our holistic approach targets the root causes of your discomfort, providing non-invasive solutions to improve your comfort and quality of life during pregnancy. If you’re experiencing round ligament discomfort, visit one of our centers for a personalized assessment and care plan.
Understanding Round Ligament Discomfort During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, as the uterus expands, the ligaments supporting it stretch to accommodate the growing baby. The round ligament, in particular, is one of the most affected during this period. As the round ligament stretches, it can cause discomfort or mild pain for some expectant mothers, especially during activities like coughing or sneezing.
A common symptom of round ligament discomfort is a stretching sensation in the abdomen that becomes more noticeable with movement. In the early stages of pregnancy, women with this discomfort may experience pulling or stretching sensations around the belly. If left unaddressed, this discomfort can worsen, becoming more noticeable and uncomfortable with physical activity or when changing positions. The discomfort is often described as sharp or stabbing, somewhat similar to Braxton Hicks contractions. In more severe cases, it can interfere with daily activities.
If you’re pregnant and experience discomfort when coughing or sneezing, it’s important to have both your spine and round ligament assessed. While round ligament discomfort can cause pain during these activities, other factors, such as spinal issues, could also contribute to the discomfort.
Is It Round Ligament Discomfort or Braxton Hicks Contractions?
Expecting mothers often find it difficult to distinguish between round ligament discomfort and Braxton Hicks contractions, which are commonly referred to as “false labor” contractions.
Round ligament discomfort typically begins in the second trimester as the uterus grows. It’s often described as a sharp sensation in the groin or hip areas, and may start as a feeling of vaginal tugging. Over time, these sensations may intensify. Braxton Hicks contractions, on the other hand, have a distinct pattern and consistency that differs from round ligament discomfort.
Round ligament discomfort tends to occur on one side of the body, while Braxton Hicks contractions are more consistent and last longer. If you experience abdominal discomfort that lasts longer than a few seconds and follows a consistent pattern, it’s important to contact your gynecologist to rule out labor pains.
Understanding Braxton Hicks Contractions
Braxton Hicks contractions are the body’s way of preparing for childbirth. These contractions typically last around 30 seconds or longer and may occur with increasing frequency and intensity as delivery approaches.
False Braxton Hicks contractions, however, are shorter, typically lasting 2-3 seconds, and tend to subside quickly. While these may be related to round ligament discomfort, it’s always safer to consult with your gynecologist if you experience any abdominal pain, even if brief.
Key Symptoms of True Braxton Hicks Contractions:
- Abdominal tightening or lower abdominal cramping
- Backache or pelvic discomfort
- Increased vaginal discharge, fluid leakage, bleeding, or spotting
If you experience any of these symptoms before 37 weeks of pregnancy, and your contractions occur every 10 to 15 minutes, it is important to contact your gynecologist immediately.
Who Is at Risk of Round Ligament Discomfort?
Round ligament discomfort is most common in pregnant women and new mothers, but it can also occur in women who have never been pregnant or older women who have had multiple pregnancies. Women with pre-existing back, hip, or buttock issues may be at a higher risk of developing round ligament discomfort during pregnancy. Additionally, anatomical hip issues or excessively tight tissues in the hip and thigh areas can increase the likelihood of experiencing this discomfort, which may persist months or even years after childbirth.
Causes of Round Ligament Discomfort
Round ligament discomfort often occurs due to the stress placed on the ligament as the uterus grows rapidly during pregnancy. However, the discomfort can also be related to issues with the tailbone (sacrum or sacral bone), pelvic bones, or the connective tissues that support the uterus.
Several ligaments help support and suspend the uterus, ovaries, and cervix by connecting them to the tailbone or the walls of the pelvis. In addition to the round ligament, which is primarily affected during pregnancy, five other ligaments play a role in supporting the reproductive organs:
- Broad ligament
- Pubocervical ligament
- Cardinal ligament
- Uterosacral ligament
- Infundibulopelvic ligament
Congenital or developmental issues with any of these ligaments can impact the entire pelvic structure, leading to round ligament discomfort and other related symptoms. Therefore, the health of all six primary and secondary ligaments supporting the uterus is important for a healthy pregnancy.
The Broad Ligament of the Uterus
The broad ligament is a pair of wide, double-layered connective tissues that support the pelvic organs. It connects the lateral (outer) portions of the uterus to the pelvic walls and contains blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics. The broad ligament performs several key functions:
- Protects the female organs
- Supports and maintains the uterus within the pelvis
- Carries blood vessels, nerves, and lymphatics
- Provides secondary support for the reproductive organs to help maintain their position in the pelvic cavity
Although the broad ligament plays a supportive role, it is not the primary ligament holding the uterus in place. The following three ligaments, which originate from the base of the broad ligament, are the primary structures maintaining the position of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries:
- Pubocervical ligament: Connects the front of the cervix to the pubic symphysis.
- Cardinal ligament: Attaches the cervix to the sidewalls of the pelvis.
- Uterosacral ligament: Secures the back of the cervix to the sacrum (tailbone).
These primary ligaments, along with the broad ligament and round ligament, provide the support necessary to maintain the uterus and other reproductive organs within the pelvic cavity. Issues in one ligament can lead to imbalances that affect the others, potentially causing discomfort and other related symptoms.
When Do You Start Experiencing Round Ligament Discomfort During Pregnancy?
Round ligament discomfort may begin towards the end of the first trimester, with many women first experiencing the characteristic aching and tugging around week 14 of pregnancy. This discomfort may continue into the second trimester but often subsides after childbirth as hormone levels drop significantly and the uterus shrinks back to its pre-pregnancy size.
What to Do for Round Ligament Issues?
While round ligament discomfort is often temporary and not a serious health concern, it can be quite uncomfortable. The best way to maintain healthy round ligaments during pregnancy is to adopt good habits. This includes maintaining proper posture and avoiding slouching. Gentle exercise and stretching can help alleviate symptoms. Walking is one of the best exercises during pregnancy. You may also benefit from the following exercises:
- Cat & Camel Exercise
- Kegel Exercise
- Leg Extension Exercise
- Clamshell Exercise
These exercises are explained in more detail in our pregnancy exercise article. By incorporating these exercises and avoiding aggravating postures or activities, you can reduce the likelihood of round ligament discomfort during pregnancy.
What Should You Do to Decrease Round Ligament Discomfort?
Here are some helpful tips to minimize round ligament discomfort:
- Always change positions slowly and avoid sudden movements.
- Avoid sitting in chairs without proper back support.
- Do not sit in a slouched posture or remain seated for longer than 30 minutes at a time.
- When coughing or sneezing, protect your back and minimize stress on your round ligament by flexing your hips before the cough or sneeze.
- Avoid deep or aggressive coughing and sneezing, as this can put unnecessary pressure on your uterus, spine, and round ligament.
If round ligament discomfort persists and does not resolve, it is advisable to seek professional assistance. Contact Chiropractic Specialty Center® (CSC) at our Bukit Damansara location or WhatsApp us for a personalized consultation. Our chiropractor has extensive experience in managing pregnancy-related discomfort, including round ligament issues. We are here to support you through your pregnancy care.
How to Address Pre & Post-Natal Sources of Round Ligament Discomfort
Discomfort in the hips, buttocks, and back during pregnancy often stems from issues with the round ligament. Individuals experiencing discomfort in these areas need specialized care that maintains proper function in the round ligament throughout pregnancy and in the postpartum period.
Chiropractic Specialty Center® (CSC) offers evidence-based chiropractic treatments combined with physiotherapy to stabilize the spine, muscles, ligaments, and tissues, including the round ligament of the uterus. If you are pregnant and experiencing discomfort, our clinical team can assist. If you are planning a pregnancy and have existing hip or back issues, our team can help prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy and childbirth.
Our chiropractors and physiotherapists offer expert care to help you maintain a healthy pregnancy, minimizing discomfort commonly experienced in the lower back, buttocks, groin, and hips.
FAQs on Round Ligament Discomfort During Pregnancy & How to Manage It with Chiropractic & Physiotherapy
How to Alleviate Round Ligament Discomfort?
Specific therapeutic methods combined with physiotherapy can help alleviate round ligament discomfort and related symptoms, such as pubic, pelvic, and groin discomfort. The most effective relief comes from a combination of pregnancy-specific physiotherapy and chiropractic care with the Webster technique.
What Are Common Symptoms of Round Ligament Discomfort During Pregnancy?
Round ligament discomfort is often mistaken for Braxton Hicks contractions. In the early stages, it may feel like a stretching sensation around the abdomen. If left unaddressed, it can cause deep, sharp discomfort that worsens with activity or movement.
What Causes Discomfort When Coughing or Sneezing During Pregnancy?
Discomfort when coughing or sneezing during pregnancy can result from spinal disc issues, such as bulging or herniated discs. Additionally, the round ligament may also contribute to discomfort during these activities. Identifying and addressing the root cause is key to managing this discomfort effectively.
What Is the Best Round Ligament Stretch & Exercise for Pregnant Individuals?
The best exercises and stretches for round ligament discomfort during pregnancy are gentle and effective. Here are three excellent exercises to help manage round ligament discomfort:
- Clamshell Exercise
- Cat & Camel Exercise
- Kegel Exercise