From the Guidelines
Round ligament pain postpartum can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers, heat application, rest, and gentle stretching, with most cases resolving within a few weeks. To manage round ligament pain postpartum, consider taking over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) 650mg every 6 hours or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) 400-600mg every 6-8 hours with food, staying within daily maximum doses 1. Apply heat to the painful areas using a heating pad on low-medium setting for 15-20 minutes at a time. Rest when possible and avoid sudden movements that trigger pain. When getting up from lying down, roll to your side first before sitting up. Gentle stretching and supportive garments like postpartum belly bands can also provide relief.
Some key points to consider:
- The pain typically resolves within a few weeks postpartum, but contact your healthcare provider if pain becomes severe, is accompanied by fever, or persists beyond 6-8 weeks after delivery 1.
- Round ligament pain occurs because the round ligaments, which supported your uterus during pregnancy, need time to shrink back to their original size and position.
- Labour-related and childbirth-related morbidity in the medium-to-long term after childbirth can include conditions such as dyspareunia, low back pain, urinary incontinence, anxiety, and depression 1.
- Good-quality care at birth, systematic clinical assessments, screening of postpartum women to identify those at risk, and prompt management are essential for addressing these conditions 1.
It is essential to prioritize morbidity, mortality, and quality of life when managing round ligament pain postpartum, and to seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or persist.
From the Research
Postpartum Pain Management
- Postpartum pain is a common concern for women after childbirth, and it can interfere with their ability to care for themselves and their infants 2, 3.
- Inadequate pain relief can lead to increased risk of postpartum complications, chronic pain, and postpartum depression 2, 4.
- Nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies are important components of postpartum pain management, and a multimodal approach can be effective in reducing pain 4, 5.
Round Ligament Pain
- Although the provided studies do not specifically address round ligament pain, they discuss the importance of postpartum pain management and the use of multimodal analgesia to reduce pain and opioid use 3, 5, 6.
- The studies suggest that a scheduled multimodal analgesic regimen, including acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can be effective in managing postpartum pain and reducing opioid use 5, 6.
Management of Postpartum Pain
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends a stepwise multimodal approach to postpartum pain management, including nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies 3, 4.
- The use of a multimodal analgesic regimen, including scheduled dosing of acetaminophen and ibuprofen, can be effective in reducing pain and opioid use 5, 6.
- It is essential to consider the individual needs of each woman and to monitor for excessive sedation and other adverse effects when prescribing opioids for postpartum pain management 4.