Pelvic Pressure in Pregnancy: 17.5 Weeks - Causes & Relief

Question
Dear Dr. Rappaport,

I'm 33, have a 2.5 year old and am 17.5 weeks pregnant.  Last night I suddenly started feeling a lot of uncomfortable pressure in my lower pelvis, I'm thinking it's the cervical area.  It feels like a strong tightening but it's not coming in waves like cramping.  It gets better if I lie down for an hour or so.  When I got out of bed this morning it returned.  It got really bad this afternoon after I picked up my toddler.  Called my OB and her nurse called back to say she wasn't concerned because I'm only 17 weeks and try a maternity belt if it doesn't get better.  Does this sound reasonable?  I was surprised they didn't want to see me to check my cervix at least, especially because I'm only 17 weeks, and this is making me nervous.  Can I ask for your opinion about what I should do?

Thank you very much,
Nicole  

Answer
Usually, as you approach 20 weeks gestation (from the first day of your last period), you will start to feel pressure iin your pelvis due to the uterus pressing up on your urinary bladder. This may be the pain you feel. YOu can slso hafe the "round ligament syndrome" where you feel pain in your groin due to stretching of the round ligament, the ligaments that anchor the uterus to the pelvic wall. At 17-20 weeks gestation, there is really nothing that can be done to prevent miscarriage, which occurs in 15-20% of every pregnancy. Try lying down to take the pressure of gravity off the cervix. As long as you are not bleeding, don't worry.