Round ligament pain - 22 weeks?

[XOXO13]

Hi all,

I’m 22 weeks pregnant with twins and for the past week, I’ve experienced what the doctor thinks is round ligament pain on my right side that I’m finding quite uncomfortable. It’s mainly when I walk, but last night the pain was excruciating when on my walk that I barely made it home without vomiting, stopping, bending, sitting down etc., It eventually eased when I laid on my side with a cushion between my legs for half hour or so, and whilst it’s come back here and there through the night, it’s not been as intense as it was for about an hour or so on my walk.

Last week, when I first notified the doctor, he told me to slow things down but I have to say, If I slow down anymore, I won’t move!

I can feel the babies moving so that reassures me they’re okay, and I’m seeing my doctor today or tomorrow anyway but I wondered if anyone else had experienced similar? With round ligament pain, I believe it’s supposed go be a short lasting intense pain whereas this can last a long while and prevent me from moving and walking.

Thanks for reading this far! Xxx

[Fruitandflowers]

Sorry to hear this - it sounds really painful and aside from that I can understand it must worry you. I've not had anything like this, and am only 16 weeks with a single, but I got huge really early (something to do with position of uterus and how i'm carrying) but I also got pains from early on too - they're like sudden stitch-like pains on one side or a pulled muscle across one big band across lower side/groin. They take my breath away and I sometimes have to lie down and let them pass and it's like the area is quivering and hurts to even twitch. Nothing like as bad as yours and yes mine only last max half an hour, but maybe if you're further along and with twins, it's just a lot more stretching and stress on your body? Hopefully others can reassure you (maybe even suggest some things to manage) and your doctor can check everything's ok.

Also you made me smile with the comment about not moving - as I've been bleeding, I've been told to rest, take it easy, basically don't do anything - i'm already working from home and I feel like ideally my doctors would have me go into old-fashioned confinement and take up something low impact, like knitting. x

[XOXO13 in reply to Fruitandflowers]

Ow I’m sorry you’ve had bleeding and also experiencing those pains, they’re unpleasant aren’t they! Are you able to walk around much or are you pretty much housebound mostly?

I’m also WFH, but I love to get out and walk. I’ve been limiting my walks so maybe I pushed myself too far last night. The doctor doesn’t seem too concerned really so I’ll try calm my mind down a bit! I’m just having a rest day today offline from work, putting my feet up and going to have a bath! I’m too afraid to go too far from my house these days incase I get that pain again as it was crippling … at least it’s nearly the festive season so I can just stare at my tree, eat biscuits and watch festive movies without the guilt of not working out! Xxx

[Fruitandflowers in reply to XOXO13]

Thanks, both the bleeding and the pains freaked me out but the midwives don't seem remotely concerned and tbh it's been going on for about 6 weeks now and everything's fine on the scans and midwife visits, so I am trying to think of it as just normal for me. I'm definitely not housebound (yet!) - I love walking and I have a very boisterous large one year old puppy (a lockdown decision, seemed a great idea at the time) who finds the amount of time I spend sitting on my laptop totally unacceptable. But I have found a bit of a correlation between overdoing it, stretching etc and the bleeds so I probably should start to listen to my doctors.

Saw your comment re baths - I love them and they're my stress reliever so was so upset when I read about not having them. But when I looked into it, it seemed to be based on research from women who had a fever during pregnancy (which would be a very high temp for quite a while) and more aimed at not getting your temperature raised too high or for too long. So I've been having baths, just not very hot or totally submerged (which is a bit of a letdown) and making sure I'm not actually getting hot. My mum said she basically lived in the tub from about 6 months as she was so big (she even had at home midwife appointments while she was in the bath towards the end!) as it was the only relief she could get x

[XOXO13 in reply to Fruitandflowers]

That’s great that everything’s okay and the professionals aren’t concerned - I’ve read that some women just experience bleeding without explanation which must be scary, but also reassuring if no one is too concerned.

I was advised that if I did too much exercise or during intercourse I may experience bleeding because of my low laying placenta but been okay thankfully so far!

It’s the walking that I’m really struggling with - that’s when the pain becomes unbearable! It’s a shame because I love being outside and walking. I’ve got tickets for Kew Gardens light show for Christmas and worried I won’t make it around!

A puppy sounds great, keeps you busy too and shows you unconditional love! My hubby wouldn’t agree to one when I asked for one multiple times last year 😂

Both my sister and friend lived in baths as well - just warm vs hot baths. I’ve just been so scared of having them incase anything goes wrong but they used to be my weekly treat - I’d make a homemade spa each Wednesday to see me through the week. I quite miss that! I’ll start cool and short and see how I get on!

Xxx

[Fruitandflowers in reply to XOXO13]

Aw, I hope you make it to Kew, it's lovely. It's also pretty short distance-wise and you can take it at your own pace, or sit down and have a hot drink. But no fun if you're in a lot of pain. And your husband sounds much more sensible than mine - my OH went with my somewhat optimistic argument that we could go for a breed that is apparently a good 'nanny' dog on the off chance we were lucky enough to be expecting - I'm yet to try said nanny in a bonnet and pinny (he'd probably eat them) but there's still time!

[XOXO13 in reply to Fruitandflowers]

It’s gorgeous there, I went last year as well but based on the walk I attempted yesterday which is shorter, I may struggle! Going to play it by ear as I love it there so much!

Aha aw you’ve a cheeky little pups then! Pups are the only animal that genuinely feel the same love that we do towards us (I watched that on Explained) so I envy you! Xx

[Millbanks]

Hi lovely, yep I had these from 14 - 16 weeks relentlessly and thought at one point my appendix had ruptured 😱So painful!! I’m nearly 20 weeks now and I still get them but much less, and they’re not as bad.

I’m sure they’re just growing pains and fingers crossed they’ll ease up soon.

I hate to say it but I just had to rest, lots of laying on the sofa xxx

[XOXO13 in reply to Millbanks]

Ah I remember you saying they were like that… eek. They’re so unpleasant. I spoke to my friend who had twins last year and she said the same - I think I just have to accept that I can’t do as much as I’d like or usually do. Bed and sofa day today with a nice bath! I feel brave taking a bath as I’m afraid of those in pregnancy too but someone advised that was a helpful thing to do so I’ve ordered some Neal Yards products and just going to soak and hope it helps! Xxx

[Millbanks in reply to XOXO13]

Waaaaa! I've been avoiding baths too - I don't normally fancy them but at the moment it's all I want.... maybe a coolish one would be ok? xx

[XOXO13 in reply to Millbanks]

I think so… we just have to becareful to not overheat in them so the water should be warm and not hot. I was worried about the oils too as not all of them are pregnancy friendly which is why I ordered the Neals Yard bath set. I’ll probably make a beauts looking bath, light my candles, dip my toes in and then change my mind 😂 xx

[Millbanks in reply to XOXO13]

Haha! That sounds dreamy - all that is missing is a glass of wine!! xx

[XOXO13 in reply to Millbanks]

That’s would be my Wednesday night homemade spa night - a glass of red! Yum. I’ll have to drink pom juice from the wine glass and pretend I’m fancy! Xx

[Millbanks in reply to XOXO13]

Hehe! Do you miss alcohol? I really thought I would but I don't at all - I think I'm just so grateful to be pregnant 🥰 xx

[XOXO13 in reply to Millbanks]

I don’t really and actually the smell of alcohol except for red wine makes me want to be sick… so I’ve had to ban that from the house! Red on the other hand smells so good so I allow that one in the house. I’ve been making virgin mojitos and they’re so good so I’m okay with the kick, just like a fancy drink in a fancy glass! Xx

[Millbanks in reply to XOXO13]

I love that idea - will have to get something sorted for Xmas. Someone gave me some alcohol free prosecco the other day but not tried it yet - hope it's good! xx

[XOXO13 in reply to Millbanks]

Fortnum and Mason do an afternoon sparkling tea in a champagne bottle and that’s really nice! That’ll be me on Christmas Day! Xx

[Millbanks in reply to XOXO13]

That sounds lush!! xx

[Sparklylife]

I did not have round ligament pain - but the pain you are describing sounds very similar to what I had in late pregnancy, but perhaps not exactly the same. I carried a single baby, so was a bit later before it got really bad for me. I needed physio - turns out it was Pelvic girdle pain. I could hardly walk at some point. Getting in and out of a car was almost impossible and in and out of bed the same. I could not put pressure on my right leg. I ended up on crutches for a while to be able to get around. Thinking about it I should have finished work sooner, but I pushed on until the end and my maternity did did not start until his due date, only had two weeks leave before. Pain only eased for the last week or two before he was due.

So perhaps ask GP about this and if physio assessment would help? Not much they could do to be fair.

Hope you are ok and that the pain eases for you! It was very frustrating as I remember wanting to do more. Wishing you all the best!! 🧡🧡

[XOXO13 in reply to Sparklylife]

Eek that sounds so painful!! And well done for carrying on through that too, such a trooper!! Hope you’re enjoying mummyhood 💙

I plan to finish up at 32 weeks to give myself a good few weeks to relax and put my feet up so not too much longer to go I guess, especially with Christmas and I’m very fortunate to be working from home so if the pain gets bad, I lay down! Xx

[Sparklylife in reply to XOXO13]

I do hope it gets better for you! But yes, listen to your body and take it easy! Sounds like a good plan! Glad to hear they are both doing really well! Congratulations again and wishing you all the best for your delivery 🥰🧡

[XOXO13 in reply to Sparklylife]

Thank you 💫💖

[JOSANDY40]

Hi, Not nice to experience. Many women suffer as the space gets tighter and the child moves. With 2 babies or a large baby it's common to finding breathing harder as they push up into the chest space, eating little and often to stop bring up food.

It's only a little bit long to go, it's normal and with Twins you will be monitored.

It's part of many womens experience when carrying.

Wonderful to here it is Twins!

Warm wishes.

[XOXO13 in reply to JOSANDY40]

Thank you ☺️ I feel very grateful for the two little ones growing and the fact they’re healthy! I think it just caught me off guard, and having to slow down already is difficult when I’m usually a fairly active person but if that’s what I have to do then so be it! Xx

[Essence1]

Hi XOXO13,I am currently 32 weeks pregnant with twins and had round ligament pains during the first and second trimesters. I would walk to supermarket and be struck by sharp shooting pain on my left hand side, I would have to stop and rest, I remember stopping and sitting at 3- 4 bus stops on my walk to the supermarket.

My advice would be to walk very very slowly and factor in breaks, where you can sit down.

Now I am in the third trimester, not suffering from round ligament pains as such, just pressure in my uterus when I walk and also it feels like the babies are moving around and resisting as I walk, which is a very weird and sometimes painful sensation. As the babies get bigger there is more weight to carry, plus them pushing on the lungs creates a lot of breathlessness. In the third trimester I know my limitations and no longer walk to the supermarket, but request that my husband drives me.

I am counting down 5 weeks to my babies arrive :). I hope that this helps. Xx

[XOXO13 in reply to Essence1]

Hello, congratulations on your twins! How exciting! That sounds exactly like me - the pain is unbearable. I wanted to walk to the shops today but my husband said no because he needed to be quick 😂

I guess I’m just usually really active and I’ve already had to stop working out as felt I couldn’t manage it so was relying on my walking to maintain some fitness but now struggling with that! When did yours ease? I do wonder if it’s because I’ve had a growth spurt too.

Your new pain doesn’t sound pleasant either! I have been warned about the breathlessness and the fact I’ll have to slow down even further as I approach the third trimester!

You’re co close… sending you so much good luck. I hope you’re resting up and enjoying the last few weeks to yourself 💖 xxx

[Essence1]

🤣😂🤣 Snap! When I used to walk to the shop with my husband he would get very frustrated, he is 6ft4 and I am 5ft5, he would say he could not walk any slower. I actually remember him stopping allowing me to over take him and then he would start walking again. He even suggested getting me a skateboard and pushing me a long.I honestly cannot remember exatcly when the round ligament pains stopped as I reduced my activity, but would most certainly say at the beginning of the first trimester they were replaced by the pressurised feeling in the uterus.

I know its hard, especially when you used to be an active person, before I got pregnant I was running alot, but with my IVF treatment and subsequent pregnancy I had to make a sacrifice and say goodbye to running. I know I will return to it a few months after the twins are born. And same for you after you have had your twins you will be able to resume your usual exercises.

Take it easy and look after yourself. Xx

[XOXO13 in reply to Essence1]

Ahaa that made me laugh, I have a picture of you being pushed along on a skateboard now 😂

I had a scan tonight and my doctor thinks it’s also my ovaries on my right side causing me pain as they’re swollen! I had OHSS and was really poorly with it in the early days but thought it had subsided. Going to attempt some gentle yoga I think and cut back on the walking!

I miss my Pilates but that’s more intense but like you say, we make sacrifices for all of this and can return to it afterwards! Wise words ☺️💫 xxx