Round Ligament Pain in Pregnancy: Why It Happens and What May Help

Round ligament pain is a sharp, stabbing pain on one or both sides of the lower belly, common in the second trimester as the ligaments supporting the uterus stretch quickly to keep up with your growing baby.

What Round Ligament Pain Feels Like

Most moms describe it as a sudden, sharp pain low on one or both sides of the belly, sometimes shooting into the hip. It's often triggered by a specific movement, standing up quickly, rolling over in bed, coughing, sneezing, or laughing hard, rather than showing up out of nowhere.

As your uterus grows, the round ligaments that support it on either side stretch and tighten quickly to keep pace. That fast stretching can pull on surrounding tissue and nearby nerves, which is what produces the sharp, catching sensation.

Why It Happens

When It's Most Common

Round ligament pain shows up most often in the second trimester, when the uterus is growing quickly, though some moms notice it earlier or later, and it can recur into the third trimester.

A Nervous System Focused Approach

Rather than only addressing the ligament itself, we look at how your pelvis is positioned and how your nervous system is adapting to pregnancy overall, starting with an INSiGHT nervous system scan to see what's actually going on. From there, care often includes the Webster Technique, a gentle, specific method focused on optimizing pelvic balance. Learn more about the Webster Technique.

What a Visit Looks Like

Your first visit, The Connected Pregnancy Experience, starts at $67 and includes a comprehensive consultation, your INSiGHT scan, and a doctor's report of findings, so you understand exactly what's going on before any care begins. Learn more about Prenatal Chiropractic.

Frequently Asked Questions

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  • It's common and usually not a sign of a problem, but pain that is severe, constant, or paired with other symptoms should be discussed with your OB or midwife.

  • Most common in the second trimester, though timing varies by pregnancy.

  • We don't promise a specific outcome, but supporting pelvic balance and nervous system function is a common part of care for moms experiencing this discomfort.

  • Yes, Dr. Paulson is Webster Certified and uses gentle, pregnancy-specific techniques through every trimester.