Pregnancy Side Pain & Contractions at 27 Weeks: Is It Normal?

Question
I am 27 weeks pregnant this is my 3rd pregnancy and not the easiest.  I have started having really sharp shooting pains on my left side of stomach and also contractions nothing regular.  but was wondering if this was normal  my baby is currently in the breech position and i have a large placenta.  along with all this i have cramping on the lower part of abdomen and measuring large for gestational age.  so is this something that i should be worried about?

Answer
Dear Crystal,

The breech position may have to do with the large placenta size, depending on how large it is. You are still several weeks from delivery, however, so the baby will do some turning on its own and may rectify this.

Sonographically thick placenta can be associated with higher rates of both small for gestational age and large for gestational age infants at term. Do you have any other condition which is being monitored by your doctor such as gestational diabetes or hypertension? Sometimes these conditions can contribute to this. I'm sure that your doctor will be keeping a close watch on you for any abnormality associated with a high risk for any problems with delivery or the baby's health at birth.

The shooting pains you are having are probably round ligament pain. Round ligament pain is most common during the second trimester. Women may have a sharp pain in their abdomen or hip area that is either on one side or both. Some women even report pain that extends into the groin area. The round ligament supports the uterus and stretches during pregnancy. It connects the front portion of the uterus to the groin. These ligaments contract and relax like muscles, but much more slowly. Any movement (including going from a sitting position to standing position quickly, laughing, or coughing) that stretches these ligaments, by making the ligaments contract quickly, can cause a woman to experience pain. Round ligament pain should only last for a few seconds.

Rest is one of the best ways to help with this kind of pain. Changing positions slowly allows the ligaments to stretch more gradually and can help alleviate any pain. If you know that you are going to sneeze, cough, or laugh you can bend and flex your hips, which can reduce the pull on the ligaments. If you are having consistent round ligament pain your doctor may recommend daily stretching exercises. The most common exercise is done by placing your hands and knees on the floor, lowering your head to the floor, and keeping your bottom in the air.

I hope this information has helped you and answered your question. Be well!

Brenda