Round Ligament Pain During Pregnancy

One reason for feeling pain on your left side during pregnancy is due to a condition called round ligament pain.

The round ligament is located in your groin area and supports your uterus as it grows during pregnancy. Although round ligament pain usually affects your right side in pregnancy, it can happen on both sides.

According to Dr. Traci Johnson on WebMD, round ligament pain on one or both sides of your abdomen is usually felt during the second trimester. Round ligament pain feels like a short jabbing feeling in your lower abdomen. Exercising, coughing, rolling over in bed, or standing up too quickly can cause light stabbing pregnancy pains that last a few seconds.2

Lower left abdominal pain caused by the round ligament pain should not be severe and last more than a few minutes. If you have other symptoms with the sharp pains in your lower stomach, you should speak to your doctor.

How Do I Deal With Backache In Pregnancy

The following methods may help:

• Light exercise – brisk walking and exercises such as yoga.
• Avoiding sitting or standing for long periods of time.
• Avoiding heavy lifting including, if you can help it, toddlers wanting to be carried!
• If you have to sit, supporting your lower back with a cushion.
• Considering asking your doctor to refer you to a physiotherapist for advice on simple exercises.
• Trying exercising in water.
• Taking warm baths and simple painkillers such as paracetamol may be helpful: ask your doctor or midwife for advice.

See the separate leaflet called Pregnancy and Physical Activity.

Symptoms Of Round Ligament Pain

Round ligament pain can be concerning and uncomfortable. But it is considered normal as your body changes during pregnancy.

The symptoms of round ligament pain include a sharp, sudden spasm in the belly. It usually affects the right side, but it may happen on both sides. The pain only lasts a few seconds.

Exercise may cause the pain, as will rapid movements such as:

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What Are The Treatments For Ectopic Pregnancy

Treatment options for ectopic pregnancy include observation, laparoscopy, laparotomy, and medication. The selection of these options is individualized.

Some ectopic pregnancies will resolve on their own without the need for any intervention, while others will need urgent surgery due to life-threatening bleeding. However, because of the risk of rupture and potentially dire consequences, most women with a diagnosed ectopic pregnancy are treated with medications or surgery.

For those who require intervention, the most common treatment is surgery. Two surgical options are available laparotomy and laparoscopy.

• Laparotomy is an open procedure whereby a transverse incision is made across the lower abdomen.
• Laparoscopy involves inserting viewing instruments into the pelvis through tiny incisions in the skin.

For many surgeons and patients, laparoscopy is preferred over laparotomy because of the tiny incisions used and the speedy recovery afterward. Under optimal conditions, a small incision can be made in the Fallopian tube and the ectopic pregnancy removed, leaving the Fallopian tube intact. However, certain conditions make laparoscopy less effective or unavailable as an alternative. These include massive pelvic scar tissue and excessive blood in the abdomen or pelvis. In some instances, the location or extent of the damage may require the removal of a portion of the Fallopian tube, the entire tube, the ovary, and even the uterus.

Specific Potential Threats To Life In Women

Ectopic pregnancy classically presents with vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain, but there may also be associated internal bleeding that may give rise to shoulder tip pain. The degree of shock may be disproportional to the observed blood loss. The woman may be unaware of pregnancy and may not give a history of a missed period. These patients need fast transport to an appropriate unit. Obtain venous access en route if possible. Give enough fluids to maintain the radial pulse and high flow oxygen. Alert the receiving unit and ensure the gynaecologist is aware.

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Who Is Most Likely To Suffer From Gerd

Obesity, pregnancy and smoking are all factors that contribute to the development of GERD.Further, no one knows the exact cause of gastroesophageal reflux. The following are contributing factors that can weaken or relax the lower esophageal sphincter and possibly make reflux worse:- Use of alcohol or cigarettes, obesity- Medications such as calcium channel blockers , theophylline, nitrates- Fatty and fried foods, chocolate, caffeine, citrus fruits, tomatoes, mint – Eating large meals – Eating close to bedtime- Hiatal hernia, pregnancy, diabetes, rapid weight gainNote: Hiatal hernia is a condition when the upper part of the stomach protrudes up above the diaphragm .

How Do I Deal With Piles During Pregnancy

You can help by avoiding constipation , drinking plenty of non-alcoholic fluids, taking regular exercise and having a good fibre intake to keep the stools soft.

If this is not sufficient, see your doctor or midwife to ask for help. Medical treatment of piles in pregnancy is usually with creams and suppositories. Treatments are aimed both at stopping the soreness and itch and by making the piles less inflamed .

If all else fails, piles can be treated with an operation. This is done either by:

• Tying tight bands around them.
• Injecting them with chemicals to make them shrink.

All these treatments would truly be a last resort. None of them is pleasant besides which, the piles could easily come back before the pregnancy is over. They usually go by themselves afterwards, a few weeks after the pregnancy ends. See the separate leaflet called Piles .

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Are Abdominal Pains During Pregnancy Normal

As your baby develops and your bump gets bigger by the day, your body will begin to adapt to the little one growing inside you. This extra strain can often lead to mild pregnancy pains such as backache and mild abdominal discomfort such as stretching.

If you are concerned, give your midwife or triage a ring to put your mind at rest. And of course, if theres anything on your mind about your pregnancy, dont forget our expert team is on hand 24/7.

Signs And Symptoms Of Back Pain In Pregnancy

For some women, low back pain may be one of the first signs that theyre pregnant. Other women may not experience this pain until later in their pregnancy. While each woman will experience a different level of pain, the most common signs and symptoms of back pain in pregnancy include:

• Limited motion and stiffness in the back or legs
• Increased discomfort or pain as the day goes on
• Increased pain at night that makes it hard to sleep

• Vaginal bleeding

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Preventing And Fighting Insomnia

Insomnia can be a challenging condition. However, there are some steps you can take to get better sleep in your third trimester. Try the ones below:

• Sleep on your left side to promote blood flow to your baby. Place a pillow underneath your belly to support it. If you experience heartburn or acid reflux while lying flat, add extra pillows under your upper body.

When Should You Call Your Health Care Provider

While some pain or achiness is normal, severe abdominal pain or cramps could be a sign of a serious problem. Many conditions can cause this type of pain, like ectopic pregnancy, urinary tract infection or preterm labor .

Contact your provider if you have:

• Lightheadedness or faintness

Last reviewed: December, 2013

Some short-term pain in the belly is normal during pregnancy. But severe cramping or pain never is. Call your health care provider when you show signs of severe pain.

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What Is The Outlook For Future Pregnancies After A Miscarriage

Most women who miscarry go on to have a subsequent pregnancy. The likelihood of a miscarriage in a future pregnancy increases with the total number of miscarriages a woman has previously experienced. In general, the risk of recurrence in women who have had a previous miscarriage is about 15%. The risk is about 30% in women who have had two miscarriages. Most women will have their menstrual period within 4 to 6 weeks after a miscarriage. Your doctor can advise you when you may start trying to conceive again. While it is possible to conceive again after your menstrual period has returned, some doctors advise waiting a bit longer, such as another menstrual cycle or more, to provide enough time for physical and emotional recovery.

Ovarian Cysts In Pregnancy Causing Left Side Abdominal Pain

A cyst on your left ovary may cause left side lower abdominal pain during pregnancy.

According to a study in France, ovarian cysts can form during pregnancy and cause pain. Usually, doctors will only remove ovarian cysts if they will obstruct labor and cause complications.15

Other signs of ovarian cysts during pregnancy include pain during bowel movements, pain during intercourse, or breast tenderness.

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If You Feel Any Of These Pregnancy Pains You Should Give Your Doctor A Call:

This could signal appendicitis . Surprisingly, besides pregnancy complications, appendicitis is the most common reason for emergency surgery during pregnancy, Dr. Clark tells SELF. Around 0.1% of pregnant people will experience appendicitis during pregnancy, and its most common in the second trimester, according to the Mayo Clinic. The pain may be sudden and may be sharp or dull and achy, says Dr. Clark. It is typically associated with fever, inability to eat, nausea, and vomiting. See your doctor right away if youre in pain and suspect something is wrong.

It can be difficult to diagnose appendicitis , but if your doctor understands your history and conducts a thorough examination, its a very treatable condition, the Mayo Clinic says. First, doctors will perform a series of tests and scans to confirm that you have appendicitis, SELF previously reported. From there, they might determine whether surgery is the best option. In cases where your provider decides that surgery isnt right for you, they might prescribe antibiotics to treat infection and remove your appendix at a later time.

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Beyond that, if youre earlier than 37 weeks along but feeling abdominal pain and seeing bloody discharge , it could be a sign of preterm labor, the ACOG says.

How To Relieve Cramping In Early Pregnancy

Whatever might be causing you to have cramps or lower abdominal pain during early pregnancy, once you’ve ruled out a serious problem, there are several things you can try to ease your discomfort.

• Change your position. If you’re sitting, lie down or take a gentle stroll, for example. If you’re lying down, sit up or go for a walk.
• Run yourself a bath. Relaxing in warm water can help to relax all your muscles and jointsincluding those supporting your uterus. If you don’t have time to soak, try standing in a warm shower for a few minutes.
• Make sure you’re well-hydrated. This is particularly helpful if the source of your abdominal pain is gas or constipation. Fluids can get things moving along in the digestive tract. If you’re really irregular, talk to your doctor about other safe solutions for constipation, such as eating more dietary fiber or taking a stool softener or mild laxative.
• Try a relaxation exercise.A yoga pose, called Reclining Bound Angle Pose, may help. To do this pose, lie on your back on the floor . Bend your knees, and bring the soles of your feet together, allowing your knees to relax out to the sides. This will open out your pelvis. Close your eyes and breathe naturally for five to 10 minutes.

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Zika Virus And Pregnancy

The Zika virus can be caught by being bitten by an infected mosquito. It usually causes a very mild illness, but if caught in pregnancy it may cause damage to the developing baby. You could be at risk if you travel to a country where Zika is currently a problem, or by having sex with somebody who has recently had the Zika virus. See the separate leaflet called Zika Virus to read more about this infection and the problems it may cause in pregnancy.

Avascular Necrosis Of The Femoral Head

Biological changes in pregnancy resulting in high levels of natural steroids, including adrenocorticoid, estrogen, and progesterone hormones, combined with weight gain, may cause increased joint pressure and muscle strain in the hip. These changes may result in a condition called avascular necrosis of the upper part of the femoral bone . The condition causes destruction of bone tissue in the femoral head due to lack of blood supply.2

The symptoms of avascular necrosis of the femoral head start around the third trimester and include2:

• Pain that is felt deep in the groin
• Radiating and referred pain to the lower back, thigh, and/or knee

The symptoms are exacerbated on bearing weight, such as while standing and/or walking.

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How To Treat Left Side Pregnancy Pain

You can treat general aches and pains in your abdominal area or lower back that are associated with normal, healthy pregnancy by using a heating pad.

Dr. Trina Pagano on WebMD recommends using heat for pregnancy pain that is caused by backaches or cramps in your legs. Warm pads are also helpful to get rid of the pain caused by constipation and kidney stones.21

All you have to do to get rid of left side pregnancy pain is fill up a hot water bottle with hot water. Wrap the hot water bottle in a towel and hold to your left flank or abdominal area for up to 20 minutes.

You will quickly feel that the heat helps to relax your muscles and ease the pain on your left side.

Box 2 Common Presentations Of Primary Survey Positive Patients

• Heavy vaginal bleeding

• Complications of labour

Shock can be attributable to either hypovolaemia or sepsis. En route to hospital obtain intravenous access and draw blood for cross matching. Remember to complete the patient details on the blood specimen tube. No intervention should delay transfer to definitive medical care. Intravenous fluid resuscitation in abdominal haemorrhage should be based on the principle of hypotensive resuscitation, aiming to give enough fluid to maintain a radial pulse.

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Leg Cramps In Pregnancy

Later on, cramp is a very common side effect of pregnancy, particularly in the legs. It often occurs at night and can wake you from sleep. When a cramp occurs you need to gently but firmly stretch the muscle to undo the cramping. This will relieve the pain.

Cramp is probably related to fluid retention and many women have a tendency to swollen legs in late pregnancy. This is because the growing baby puts downward pressure on the veins in the legs and water from the circulation gathers there. Elevating the foot of the bed sometimes helps.

It’s important to remember that cramps are sudden severe pains which settle over seconds or a few minutes. If you have longer-lasting pain in your calf, particularly if you also have a swollen leg, you should speak with your doctor or midwife. They need to rule out the possibility of a clot in the veins of the calf which is a serious condition requiring immediate treatment.

When Should I Call My Healthcare Provider About Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy

Don’t hesitate to call your provider any time abdominal pain during pregnancy continues after a short rest or is accompanied by:

• Severe pain or cramping
• More than four contractions in an hour or a contraction that doesn’t end
• Lower back pain or an increase in pressure in the pelvic area
• Vaginal bleeding, spotting, or a change in the type or amount of vaginal discharge
• Pain or burning when you urinate

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Stretching Of The Uterus

When you get pregnant, your uterus and your body prepare itself for the welcoming of the baby. During the starting phase of the pregnancy, your uterus does not stretch to that extent. But till you reach 12th week, your uterus gets stretched and grows.

If you are pregnant with twins, then your uterus may grow sooner. This stretching of the uterus may cause a little pain in your abdomen.

Benign Causes Of Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy

From constipation to round ligament pain, here are some common culprits that cause harmless abdominal discomfort during pregnancy. Keep in mind that if the pain you’re experiencing continues or feels intenseor if you have worrisome symptoms such as bleeding or strong crampingyou should check in with your OB-GYN right away.

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Dont Let Cramps And Back Pain Ruin Your Pregnancy Experience

We understand that cramping and lower back pain in early pregnancy can be confusing, painful, and stressful. Despite this, however, it is important not to let those symptoms ruin the incredible experience youre in the middle of.

While its easy to get overwhelmed by whats happening with your body, the end result is really something to marvel at.

If youve experienced cramping and lower back pain during pregnancy, what types of pregnancy back pain relief did you use?

Pelvic Pain During Early Pregnancy

, MD, Wake Forest School of Medicine

Early in pregnancy, many women have pelvic pain. Pelvic pain refers to pain in the lowest part of the torso, in the area below the abdomen and between the hipbones . The pain may be sharp or crampy and may come and go. It may be sudden and excruciating, dull and constant, or some combination. Usually, temporary pelvic pain is not a cause for concern. It can occur normally as the bones and ligaments shift and stretch to accommodate the fetus.

If caused by a disorder, pelvic pain may be accompanied by other symptoms, including vaginal bleeding Vaginal Bleeding During Early Pregnancy During the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, 20 to 30% of women have vaginal bleeding. In about half of these women, the pregnancy ends in a miscarriage. If miscarriage does not occur immediately… read more . In some disorders, such bleeding can be severe, sometimes leading to dangerously low blood pressure .

Pelvic pain differs from abdominal pain, which occurs higher in the torso, in the area of the stomach and intestine. However, sometimes women have trouble discerning whether pain is mainly in the abdomen or pelvis. Causes of abdominal pain during pregnancy are usually not related to the pregnancy.

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