Introduction
The maternal ligaments stabilize the uterus and keep it in position. They pull from the uterus forward as well as to the lateral pelvic wall. During pregnancy, the round uterine ligament (Ligamentum teres uteri) and the broad uterine ligament (Ligamentum latum uteri) cause the typical pain.
The reason for this is that they are subject to enormous stretching, especially during pregnancy. This stretching alone can trigger a pain stimulus at the maternal ligaments. The pain is then felt either in the groin or in the sacrum. Other possible causes can be heavy strain or incorrect movement.
Causes
Pain in the maternal ligaments occurs during pregnancy, but similar pain can also occur in the absence of pregnancy. In the course of the pregnancy, the growth of the child causes more and more stretching of the maternal ligaments. Since the mother’s ligaments are made of a tight, rather non-stretchable material, the stretching triggers a pain stimulus.
The stretching can be painful especially in the second third of the pregnancy. At this time, the uterus is already of considerable size, so that the uterine ligaments experience the greatest strain. In the last third of the pregnancy, the ligaments become softer in preparation for the forthcoming birth.
The growth of the uterus alone can trigger a pain stimulus. Growth spurts of the child or movements of the child that cause further stretching of the ligaments have a strengthening effect. External factors, such as an extraordinary strain on the mother, for example when standing or walking for a long time, can also be a cause.
It is also known that fast clumsy movements can cause pain. In the absence of pregnancy, pain on the maternal ligaments is very unlikely. There is no stretching stimulus on them and therefore no pain can be caused.
Much more often the cause of pain in this region of the body lies elsewhere. For example, pain that occurs during the menstrual cycle can be very similar to the pain in the maternal ligaments during pregnancy. This can easily lead to confusion. If menstrual pain can be ruled out, there are a number of other causes that should be clarified by a doctor. These include among others
- An appendicitis
- A diverticulitis
- A cyst on the ovaries or
- An ectopic pregnancy
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