What mums asked our midwives this week- Round ligament pain + constipation + low iron

"Why do I keep getting this sharp, stabbing pain on one side of my bump?"

This is one of the most common questions our midwives hear, and it's almost always round ligament pain. It tends to show up as a sudden, sharp, stabbing sensation on one side of your lower tummy which is usually triggered by standing up too quickly, rolling over in bed, or even a big sneeze. It typically starts in the second trimester, though some women notice it earlier, and it's most often felt on the right side, though it can happen on either side or both.

Here's what's happening: the round ligaments are two cords of tissue that anchor your uterus to your pelvis. As pregnancy hormones loosen and soften these ligaments to make room for your growing baby, that stretching can cause them to spasm ,which produces the sharp, catching feeling. It's uncomfortable, but it's not dangerous to you or your baby.

What our midwives suggest: try changing position slowly rather than springing up, lean forward and support your bump with your hands before you cough or sneeze, rest on your side with a pillow between your knees, and a warm bath can sometimes ease it. Paracetamol can help too, but it's worth checking with your midwife or doctor first.

"Is it normal that my bathroom habits have completely changed since getting pregnant?"

Yes and it's one of the things almost nobody warns you about. You might notice you're going less often, straining more, or feeling like you haven't fully emptied your bowels, sometimes alongside bloating or stomach ache. This is constipation, and it's extremely common in pregnancy.

It happens for a few overlapping reasons: pregnancy hormones slow down digestion, growing pressure from your uterus can affect your bowels, and if you're drinking less water or moving around less than usual, that adds to it too.

The reassuring part is that simple changes usually help within days to a few weeks. Eating more fibre, staying well hydrated, gradually increasing how active you are, and not delaying when you feel the urge to go can all make a real difference. If diet and lifestyle changes aren't quite enough, a pharmacist can suggest a pregnancy-safe laxative, generally only needed for a short time.

"I'm exhausted even when I sleep well, is something wrong?"

This question comes up a lot, and the answer is often low iron. Pregnancy dramatically increases your need for iron, since your body is producing significantly more blood to support your growing baby. Many mums become iron deficient at some point without realising that's the cause of their exhaustion it's easy to mistake for "just normal pregnancy tiredness."

Left unaddressed, iron deficiency can affect both your energy levels and your baby's development, which is why it's routinely checked through blood tests during your antenatal appointments. If you're feeling persistently exhausted, pale, dizzy, or short of breath, it's worth mentioning to your midwife — a simple blood test can confirm whether your iron levels need support, and treating it is usually straightforward.

When to ask for more than home remedies

Most of the time, these three things are uncomfortable rather than concerning. But it's worth calling your maternity unit if stomach pain is severe, doesn't ease after resting for 30 to 60 minutes, or comes together with vaginal bleeding, regular cramping, lower back pain, unusual discharge, or pain when peeing. These can be signs of something that needs urgent attention, and it's always better to get checked than wait it out.

Got a question of your own? Our midwives are available right inside the Dearbump app, ready to answer it directly.