Your pregnancy: sharp groin pain
Sharp groin pain in pregnancy usually begins around the second trimester when ligaments in the pelvis start to stretch to accommodate the growing baby. Many women are disturbed by the occurrence, but these pains are not an indication of early labour, nor are they harmful. Mom may feel the pains when she sits or stands up suddenly, or when she had been on her feet a lot. Later on in the pregnancy when the baby changes position, the head in mom’s pubic bone will bring about more groin pain. Mom can find relief through rest — propping her feet up on cushions to relieve the pressure. The pain will subside after resting. She should worry if the pain is severe, or comes with cramps, bleeding, contractions, or lower back pain, as all these could signal premature labour.
Groin pain is not to be confused with Braxton Hicks contractions, which were named for English doctor John Braxton Hicks who described the contractions that occur before real labour.
They can come as early as trimester two, though they are most common in the third trimester.
With Braxton Hicks, the muscles of the uterus tighten for approximately 30 seconds to a minute, and sometimes as long as two minutes.
They are a preparation for real labour, but differ because the contractions are irregular, infrequent, unpredictable, and are more uncomfortable than painful.
