22 weeks pregnant, stitch-like pain low down in my abdomen when I walk. Anyone ...?

[LoveAndSqualor]

This wonderful and exciting new symptom has come on in the last week or so - when I try to walk any distance at a normal pace, I get a quite severe pain low down in my abdomen, on both side - sort of parallel with my hips and in about a hand's breadth on either side. It's kind of like period pain - in the same sort of place, and quite sharp. Has anyone else had this? Should I be alarmed? Could I be any more clueless? Answers on a postcard ...

I used to get this kind of pain - it actually got worse with each 3 of my pregnancies, and became excruciating with DS2, esp when I was lying down. Anyway - it turned out to be the ligaments stretching to accomodate the growing baby, but boy was it sore. Have you asked to see your physio? I got a sexy little elastic girdle, which did help.

Exactly what Paolosgirl said.
The ligs are stretching to accomodate and yes, it bloody canes.
I did not have this with Ds1 but did with Ds2 who followed in quick succession, straining my already knackered ligaments with his 10 lb 12.5 bulk! LOL

I also got a sexy elastic girdle, which you are not to sit down in so have to keep taking it off, meaning you have to have it over your clothes (nice) but it really helps if you canget the thing nice and tight.

Sorry, it is crippling, I know.

thanks v much paolosgirl - I wondered if it was a ligaments thing. Can the midwife refer me to a physio, do you know, or do I need to find one for myself? And did it stick around for the duration? Questions, questions ...!

cross posts - thanks, too, LotF. Quite taken with hilarity of picture of elastic girdle over clothes .. Very painful, as you say. I guess there aren't any strengthening exercises or anything? It's an absolute bugger, not being able to get around.

I think my GP had to refer me (crikey, do you know I can't remember, and it was only a few months ago ), but you do need a referral. I'm not sure what it's like with your surgery, but our physio has a massive waiting list, so I'd suggest doing something about it sooner rather than later, so at least you're in the system. It did stick around for the duration, sadly, and got worse (she whispers, trying not to upset you!).

Bet Isabella Oliver on the right there doesn't have that problem!

just wondered if this would be the same reason for a horrible achy uncomfortable feeling at the bottom of my ribcage (left side) ???

I've had it for ages on and off, usually if in the car for a while - am now nearly 33 weeks and its almost constant. Sitting with left arm over head helps a bit... don't think its the baby up there, tho he does get around a bit!

Thanks again! will make a GP's appt and get things moving. Thank heaven for MN. The Isabella Oliver woman can, frankly, bite me. She just turned up in my email inbox too, looking chic, svelte and pain-free. She is rubbing it in.

paolosgirl. those models are evil, they all have fake bumps n not really pg (saw a blooming marvellous photoshoot on britains next top model, they just strap 'em on to their skinny little frames not fair)

I get this too while out walking the dogs (with 2yo DD strapped to my back) - feels like overworked muscles/ligaments to me (I know this from back when I was fit and worked out a lot - those were the days!). Probably nothing to worry about but very annoying when it makes walking difficult.

i went to a 'back care in pregnancy' class where they were dishing out the belts for back support.
i told her my back was fine (i suffer from back problems but at that point in my preg my back was holding out) at the moment then described the pains.
i told her the only way to decrease the pain was to link my fingers and put them under my bump and 'carry' it in my arms! lol
she said i could have a belt which was great. meant i could use my arms/hands again!

chunkpudding, I rather suspected that about the models. Gah.

Glad you all think this is nothing to worry about - just one of teh many joys of pregnancy. Off to make a dr's appt now ..

hands under bump and 'carry' tummy really works for me.
am 29 weeks pg and pain when walking not as bad now, i think my ligaments have done all the stretching they can!
Would also advocate use of girdle suppport thingy.

I had a stitch like central lower abdominal pain from about 17 weeks, when I was walking. Sounds quite similar. It wasnt anything, I just took it a bit easier on walking uphills- by easier I guess I mean extremely slowly. And I couldnt really walk for too long, a couple of hours would be a very big walk for me then, I didnt worry about it cos it went away when I wasnt walking. And my baby was born fine and well, and not doing lots of walking didnt seem to matter, I didnt get excessively fat (IMO!) and have lost the baby weight now 5 months on. So maybe just take it easy physically?

LOTF - I was just explaining that exact sensation on the March antenatal thread. So glad to have seen this!

I mentioned it to my physio and she just mumble that it was just part of pregnancy and made me feel a bit of a wimp. I sometimes get my dp to "carry" the bump when I'm walking up the hill to the station in the morning!!