Hi there

I am 17 weeks pregnant and since last night and all day today I have been having what can only be decribed as dull, lower abdominal period type pains. Really weird as I haven't had any pregnancy pains at all so far so was a bit alarmed.

Thought it might be due to the fact that I went for my quadruple blood test yesterday (I'm 36 years old) and because my husband couldn't take me to the hospital, I sorted myself out a route which involved getting a train back from work (I work in London) and then a train near the hospital followed by lots of walking. I generally think I over did things and am now feeling the consequences. But I think of all the exercising you're supposed to do during pregnancy and just think I'm being silly.

Has anyone else had any period type pains about this time that turned out to be nothing - just the usual stretching pains etc?

Hope they go soon as starting to feel cheesed off with them!

Cheers

Dawn x

Yes, I am currently experiencing severe period like pains. Mine are in the similar place to yours, but mine are also proceeding to hurt me around the pubic area. I was told it was only stretching pains, and the baby is settling down to where it is more or less going to stay for the rest of the pregnancy. It usually likes to rest on the bladder, thats why I have not been getting the feeling of wanting to wee instead about 6 hours would pass and I would get horrible pains and would presume that I wanted to visit the loo. The midwife told be that it is nothing to worry about.

Hia I am a new member to this and I was just looking through the comments and read yours and you have made me feel so much better lol. I am 17 nearly 18 weeks gone and have been getting these pains mainly when I stand up out of my chair were I work and now I have read this I am so releaved. Thanks. I will have to try holding ma bump and see if that helps.

Thanks

Jenna x

Hiya,

I am 19 wks and for the past 2 weeks I have been having some god awful pain, it seems like period pain and like you I was getting myself really worried. I went to the Dr who advised me to take paracetamol... how helpful.

Anyway I was totally unimpressed with this so I started doing some research and what I found was something called Round Ligament Pain. Basically when you start in your 2nd trimester with the baby growing so rapidly, your uterus begins to stretch upwards as the baby comes out of the pelvis. However the uterus is supported by round ligaments, it is these ligaments that are stretching and pulling. It made me feel as if I had been kicked in the groin it was so painful at times (this has something to do with the nerve endings being very close to or ending at your labia... sorry for the graphics But rest assured it is all normal. It tends to be worse when you get up out of a chair too fast or if you turn over in bed or walk to much... pregnancy is great fun! Anyway the advice I found was 'scooping' your bump in your arm when you get up therefore supporting the weight and lessening the pressure or pull on the ligaments.

Apparently they will go away in time and to be honest it was a bit of a constant thing a couple of weeks ago and now I am feeling it only every now and then...

Sorry for the massive reply.... I hope its helps though...

Take care

I also got a lot of pains, it's probably only growing pains, i'm still growing cos i'm 16 and i'm 24weeks gone today, pains have gone away now, but i bet they'll be back soon! Remember if they get too bad go to your midwife x

Believe me,the pains will return, but only in labour LOL.

hi dawn
im 17 weeks as well and having the same kind of pains as well as what feels like a balloon in my belly getting bigger, i spoke to my midwife about the period type pains and she siad it is very normal and is just my belly stretching, suppose it will feel the same as a oeriod pain as its the same area.anyway hope this helps and i was worried as well, first time mommy so all these feelings im not used too and wonder if they are normal
tkae care x

I assume these growing pains are perfectly normal.. but has anyone else woken up with bruised ribs because the bump has suddenly grown upwards into the rib cage?

I've been trying to use loads of moisturiser thinking this will make the skin more flexible and grow more easily, anyone else found if this works?