round ligament pain.
last revised · reviewed 2026-07-05
Round ligament pain is a sharp, brief pain or pulling sensation in the lower belly or groin — usually one-sided — caused by the ligaments that support the uterus stretching as it grows. It is most common in the second trimester and, while startling, is harmless.
what it feels like
A sudden, sharp twinge or stabbing pain low in the abdomen or groin, most often on the right side, triggered by rolling over in bed, standing up, coughing, sneezing, or laughing. It lasts seconds to a couple of minutes, then fades — quite different from steady, building pain.
why it happens
Two rope-like ligaments anchor the uterus to the groin on each side. As the uterus grows rapidly in the second trimester, these ligaments stretch and thicken, and any sudden movement yanks them like a plucked cord — the nerve fibres register that as a sharp, momentary pain.
what helps
- Move more slowly — rise, turn, and roll over in stages rather than in one movement
- Brace before you sneeze or cough: bend your hips slightly or support your bump with a hand
- A warm bath or covered warm compress relaxes the area
- Rest on your side with a pillow under the bump and another between your knees
- A maternity support band can take weight off the ligaments during long days on your feet
- Gentle daily stretching or prenatal yoga keeps the area supple
- Paracetamol is generally considered safe for occasional relief — confirm with your midwife
when to call your midwife or doctor
- Pain that is severe, constant, or lasts more than a few minutes rather than passing quickly — call your midwife or doctor
- Pain with bleeding, fever, chills, or pain on urination
- Pain paired with contractions, pelvic pressure, or a change in discharge before 37 weeks
- Any abdominal pain you can't confidently attribute — a call to your midwife is never wasted
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. When in doubt, call — no midwife has ever minded a careful question.
common questions
When does round ligament pain start?
It most commonly appears in the second trimester, around weeks 14 to 20, when the uterus grows quickly up and out of the pelvis and its supporting ligaments stretch fastest. It often eases in the third trimester as growth steadies.
How do I tell round ligament pain from something serious?
Round ligament pain is brief, sharp, usually one-sided, clearly triggered by movement, and fades within minutes. Pain that is constant, severe, worsening, or accompanied by bleeding, fever, or contractions is not typical of ligaments — call your midwife or doctor to be assessed.
Why is round ligament pain worse on the right side?
The uterus naturally rotates slightly to the right as it grows, putting extra tension on the right ligament. Right-sided twinges are therefore the classic presentation, though plenty of women feel it on the left or both sides.
read it in context
Round ligament pain tends to show up around these weeks of pregnancy:
related symptoms
- Sciatica
Sciatica in pregnancy is pain that shoots from the lower back or buttock down the back of one leg, caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve.
- Dizziness
Feeling light-headed or dizzy is common in pregnancy, because progesterone widens your blood vessels and blood pressure naturally dips, especially in the first and second trimesters.
- Discharge changes
More vaginal discharge than usual is normal throughout pregnancy — healthy discharge is clear or milky white, mild-smelling, and increases as pregnancy progresses.
know what's normal, week by week
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