Abdominal Pain During Pregnancy: Causes & When to Worry

Question
Dear Mr Rappaport,
I am 18 weeks pregnant and have had a bad cold for the last 3 days. I feel as if I have strained an abdominal muscle from the coughing and sneezing. The pain is in my lower right quadrant and is only experienced intermitantly when I make certain movements. When I am simply standing, sitting or lying there is no pain. The pain spans the area from my groin to my hipbone and feels like something being overstretched. Do you think a strain is the answer or should I take more action. I have no other symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting or visual problems.
Thank you.
Sian

Answer
The pain is not from the cold or from straining a muscle. At 18-20 weeks gestation, you develop "round ligament syndrome" which is a stretching of the round ligaments, which are the ligaments that anchor the uterus to the sidewall of the abdomen. YOu will feel a tearing or ripping pain in your groin to your hips whenever you rise from a bed or a chair or when you turn suddenly when you are walking down the street. It can be relieved with Tylenol, or a warm shower, or a heating pad. It is quite normal and common during pregnancy.