17.5 wks- painful strained abdomen feeling, went to see OB

I have had a very uncomfortable strained feeling in both the left and right lower abdomen. I was reading a lot about round ligament pain (according to the doctor, a blanket term for this type of discomfort) on the internet this morning before calling the doctors office. The descriptions that I saw for RLP was that it should not be constant and last for a long time. This strain that I am feeling has been very uncomfortable for 24 hours so it doesnt really fit the descriptions. I also have a sore lower back from a sciatic (sp?)..... Anyway, this strained feeling, almost like deep pulled muscles, is very uncomfortable and almost seems worse when I lay down. But, I am basically useless so trying to rest anyway. I also think maybe it will help heal the problem, whatever it is.

So, my husband drove me to the doctor, who took a look at my cervix. Everything looked fine and she felt comfortable that everything was okay. There is no explanation for the pain. She spoke about the peritoneal membrane and said that it is very tender. The pain still exists. I think I will take some tylenol before bed so that I can sleep. I could not really sleep well last night.

Has anyone else had lasting discomfort like this? I would love to hear your experience.

I have my 18 week ultrasound on Monday. I am happy that I at least have another appointment coming up to keep an eye on things.

 

I get this if I stand too long. I can't tolerate anything tight on my lower belly. Not even an elastic waist band. My guess is that since Baby A is head down, it's her head pressing against my lower abdomen. It's not contractions or sharp pains, just uncomfortable pressure. Maybe getting on your hand and knees and doing some back arches would help?

 

I had RLP, when I was about as far along as you are. I moved wrong in bed and got a zinger like you wouldn't believe on my left side. I felt like something had been ripped from my insides. I don't know if you had anything like that, but I know that the pain from it lasted days. It was like any other "pulled muscle". Even though it was no longer being pulled, it was still sore from the original strain. I would try the arches that PP suggested. Your babies are really growing bigger now, and so is your uterus. Everything is going to start feeling sore at times. There are still times when I can't stand anything on my belly and feel like it couldn't stretch any further. I don't think it is anything to worry about. Keep with taking the Tylenol and do those abdomenal stretches. It will help. If it's not better in a week, call the doctor again. When my first one hit, I actually got out of bed and tried to walk without pain, it hurt so badly. :hug99:

 

QUOTE(TamLenox @ Feb 7 2008, 08:33 AM) [snapback]610338[/snapback]
I had RLP, when I was about as far along as you are. I moved wrong in bed and got a zinger like you wouldn't believe on my left side. I felt like something had been ripped from my insides. I don't know if you had anything like that, but I know that the pain from it lasted days. It was like any other "pulled muscle". Even though it was no longer being pulled, it was still sore from the original strain. I would try the arches that PP suggested. Your babies are really growing bigger now, and so is your uterus. Everything is going to start feeling sore at times. There are still times when I can't stand anything on my belly and feel like it couldn't stretch any further. I don't think it is anything to worry about. Keep with taking the Tylenol and do those abdomenal stretches. It will help. If it's not better in a week, call the doctor again. When my first one hit, I actually got out of bed and tried to walk without pain, it hurt so badly. :hug99:


last night was so rough. My legs, back, and abdomen ached so badly. I cried at one point. Anyway, I guess this is sort of par for the course with Twins. I have already gained 20lbs and I guess that in itself is a major load on my body. Hopefully I am not having contractions. I cant really tell. I have been periodically feeling a bump below and left of my navel. I think it might be a baby though. I am not sure.

If you have experienced this discomfort and particularly this early, I would love to hear your experiences and suggestions. PPs ideas of the stretches make sense. I also soaked in the tub today. I prefer to be drug free but i broke down and have been taking Tylenol. Otherwise I am mostly resting all day.

 

QUOTE
Hopefully I am not having contractions. I cant really tell. I have been periodically feeling a bump below and left of my navel. I think it might be a baby though. I am not sure.


I doubt you are having contractions. Believe me... you will definately know it when you do! I had my first braxton hicks contraction the other day. I was sitting at work and it all of a sudden hit me. It's funny, before I had it, I honestly couldn't remember what they felt like. The memory came back rather quickly! LOL! Contractions feel like every muscle in your body is all of a sudden tightening, and you even stop breathing for a second. You kind of feel like you are straining to have a b.m. (sorry if tmi) It only lasts a second or two, and then it's gone, but you know it happened. Also, with contractions, when they are done, they are gone. You don't have any lasting feeling of pain or soreness. I really think it is just the typical round ligament pains. You are doing great, and in a couple more weeks those babies will be moving even more. You will definately know where they are at that point! The little bump you felt, is almost definately one of your little ones. Twin B is closer to the front, and so I feel her move all the time. Everyone gets to feel her move. Twin A is further back and I feel him a lot in my bottom and in my back, but there are still times that we get to feel him move on my left side. During the stage you are in, they have lots of room to move. They will take advantage... trust me! Any other ??? just ask. I hope I am helping relieve some of your concerns!

 

yep I had/have the same thing!!!! With every growth spurt. I am not normal in the fact I don't grow casually, it happens all in a day or two.. I mean going to bed at 34 inches around and waking up at 36... (I love waking up in the morning after a growth spurt and my husband or my mom would see me and say holy crap you grew overnight... thanks guys) so I was sore for a while due to the over night stretching. I am anti meds if possible... so bath, massage, stretch, forcing myself to sleep, and the lovely maternity support belt are relievers. I feel your pain.... good luck.

 

QUOTE(twinreverb @ Feb 7 2008, 06:13 PM) [snapback]611583[/snapback]
yep I had/have the same thing!!!! With every growth spurt. I am not normal in the fact I don't grow casually, it happens all in a day or two.. I mean going to bed at 34 inches around and waking up at 36... (I love waking up in the morning after a growth spurt and my husband or my mom would see me and say holy crap you grew overnight... thanks guys) so I was sore for a while due to the over night stretching. I am anti meds if possible... so bath, massage, stretch, forcing myself to sleep, and the lovely maternity support belt are relievers. I feel your pain.... good luck.


Thank you for your reply. Which maternity belt did you like??

 

I have been extremely uncomfortable for a while now. Like PP I tend to grow in quick bursts, so the discomfort, pain, is sometimes unbearable. I feel the pain you are talking about alot. I actually went to L&D one night because I was having so much pain, the on-call dr. said that with twins you will have a lot of aches, pains and discomforts that you don't have with singletons. She said everything was normal for pregnancy. I would say that your body is stretching and also trying to accomodate the extra weight. I feel for you, it is not comfortable, and I would like to say it gets better. You will have good days though. I would also recommend getting a prenatal cradle, my dr. prescribed one and I got it from the brace co. Insurance paid for it. It helps most of the time, it didn't help during my growth spurt because my stomach got so hard and sore, but it will provide relief. Good luck.

 

yeah - i get it all the time. especially when i'm trying to get up without aggravating my groin ligament pain.
apparently it's very normal. doesn't make it any less painful. a brace is supposed to help since it lifts everything help.

 

When I was 19 weeks I had very similar pains. I could barely stand up straight. I was kept overnight in L&D, but they couldn't determine what was wrong- checked my cervix, attempted an NST (I was too early for the babies to cooperate), did the FFN test (which was negative.) They worried about my appendix, but by the next morning, I was fine. I would have these "episodes" every few weeks until about week 26 or 27. I think it was growing pains, but by all means, when in doubt- call your doctor! Good luck!

 

QUOTE(julesbabies @ Feb 7 2008, 05:42 PM) [snapback]611653[/snapback]
Thank you for your reply. Which maternity belt did you like??


I use this maternity support belt but there are many on the market. It kinda helped with pelvic pain as well...

hope that helped

 

Has it gotten better?? I had the exact same thing @ 18 weeks. Mine lasted about 48 hrs. and then dissapated. I was definately going through a growth spurt and am having the same thing again. Try not to worry and rest as much as possible.

 

I felt like I was being stabbed in the vagina for 38 weeks and 4 days!! the more I stood the worse it was but it was there pretty much all the time.

 

I get those zinger ligament pains too. Always in the same place on my lower right side. Makes me wonder if I have an adhesion of scar tissue there or something. OUCH! It feels like I've torn something but I know it's nothing. But man it hurts so bad it makes my eyes water.

Are you sleeping with a bunch of pillows? I think I have about 5 going right now. Most importantly one between my knees. Pretty soon there won't be room for DH in our king size bed.

 

When i was pregnant i had the begining of SPD (Symphis Pubis Dysfunction)basically means that the pelvic ligaments start to loosen to much and to early and means they cant keep the pelvic joints stable and the pelvis moves especially with increased weight. It is made worse when the pregnancy progresses and sometimes the symphis pubis seperates which can cause extreme pain usually in the pubic area. The physio i went to see gave me a maternity belt to wear to support my bump and also told me to bend carefully and not lift anything too heavy. I dont know if it is the same thing i had but I hope you start to feel better soon x

 

So sorry to hear about everyone's discomfort. And unfortunatly is doesnt get better till the end. But hang in there the results are by far more worth it.

 

Wow, thank you for all of the good information and suggestions. It did go away afterr about 48 hours. It got worse before it got better. I will get one of those prenatal cradles. I think i will be needing it!

I had 18 week ultrasound today and everything was great which made me feel good. 2 boys!

 

Glad everything is looking good. The u/s usually helps me relax too. Congratulations on your boys, that is wonderful, now you can concentrate on getting ready for their arrival.

 

congrats on the 2 boys!