Stretching away round ligament pain
Many words can be used to describe the pregnancy process. Most women who have gone through the experience and seen the fruits of their labor would be overwhelmed by the miracles of life. At the end of the pregnancy period, the baby commands all of the limelight. However, the important phase occurs during the nine-month period.

The plethora of changes the body goes through cannot be ignored, much less forgotten. While some of these physical alterations are temporary, some are known to have a lasting effect. In addition to visible changes on the outside, internal adjustments are also taking place to accommodate the baby’s development. Pregnant women are also susceptible to changes on a deeper level in terms of the mental and emotional aspects.

Round ligament pain
While most health experts and maternity forums have chosen to weigh in on more popular issues such as weight gain and healthier dietary plans, more attention should be given to issues that occur within the body. One such subject is the round ligament pain. Almost every pregnant woman will experience this symptom as part of the process. It usually presents itself in moments of short and sharp pain around the abdominal and groin area.

Although this type of pain predominant affects pregnant women in their second trimester, most of them are neither aware of its existence nor do they know what to call it. When round ligament pain makes its first appearance, most pregnant women do not know what hit them.

To shed light on the matter, round ligaments engulf the perimeters of a woman’s uterus. Its basic function is to support the uterus in place. As the pregnancy moves along, the baby developments at an increasing rate, resulting in a heavier uterus. The uterus also expands from the size of an apple to the size of a beach ball. To adjust to this increased demand from the uterus, round ligaments become stretched and thickens.

As the tension of the round ligament intensifies, any burst of movements causes it to react violently. This reaction is translated to pain as experienced by the body. Simple movements can trigger off such a reaction, including:

Laughing
Sneezing
Coughing
Adjusting sleeping posture
Getting up from a sitting position
Entering and exiting a car
Treating round ligament pain

Before contemplating any solutions towards addressing round ligament pain, the first action that should be undertaken is to confirm its presence. Symptoms of round ligament pain are quite common and may indicate other underlying conditions instead. In severe situations, these lower abdominal pain may be caused by pregnancy complications such as:

Inguinal Hernia
Kidney, Stomach or Liver functionality problems
Appendicitis
Placenta Abruption
After positive diagnosis of round ligament pain, several treatment options are at the disposal of the pregnant woman. Unfortunately, all of these methods advocate the management of round ligament pain instead of permanently eradicating it. As of now, there are no solutions towards preventing the occurrence of round ligament pain during pregnancy. Treatment methods include medication, engaging in gentle movements and providing warmth to the pelvic area to keep round ligaments flexible.

Stretching exercises
In recent times, the active lifestyle campaign has seen a shift in attitude from pregnant women as well. They are more receptive to the idea of light exercises during their pregnancy period. Not surprisingly, many have taken to exercising to help ease their round ligament issues.

Light stretching
For pregnant women who are new to this, it is advisable to start off by stretching the back and abdominal muscles. These light stretching exercises can help to ease the tension of the round ligament and help to ease the pain.

Pelvic rock
This exercise is done by simply placing hands and knees on the ground and tighten the abdominal muscles while protruding the lower back. Relax and lower the head for a few seconds before returning to the starting position.

Pelvic tilt
The pelvic tilt works in a different way. It utilizes the same muscles but positions them differently. This helps the muscle to provide continual support in different positions. Pregnant women can participate in this exercise by lying on the floor with their knees bent and flexing their abdominal muscles while holding their breath. To further enhance this exercise, they can put more pressure on their backs against the floor.

Conclusion
Round ligament pain is widely experienced by many pregnant women around the world. It can be considered as part of the natural pregnancy development as most women report that it occurs during their second trimester. As the searing pain can become unbearable at times, it is ideal for pregnant women to anticipate its appearance and find solutions to minimize its impact.

One of the most popular solutions is through strengthening the abdominal muscles. Exercises such as pelvic tilt and pelvic rock are capable of achieving the desired effect. Nonetheless, every pregnant woman should consult a health professional before engaging in these physical activities to ensure that it is a safe recommendation.