How to Relieve Round Ligament Pain at Night With the Right Pillow
When I was pregnant, one of the most surprising discomforts I experienced was round ligament pain. It felt like sharp, pulling pains on the sides of my lower belly, and it was always worse at night when I tried to get comfortable in bed. That’s when I discovered that using the right pregnancy pillow could make a huge difference.
In this post, I’ll explain what round ligament pain is and how the right pillow can relieve it so you can finally sleep better.
Table of Contents
What Is Round Ligament Pain?
Round ligament pain is caused by the stretching of the ligaments that support your growing uterus. These pains can feel like sharp tugs or dull aches in your lower belly or groin area, especially when you change positions.
I remember being caught off guard by how intense it could be at night. That’s when I started looking for ways to support my belly and reduce the strain on those ligaments.
How the Right Pregnancy Pillow Can Help
A pregnancy pillow can relieve round ligament pain by supporting your belly, hips, and lower back while you sleep. When your bump is properly supported, it reduces the pulling and stretching on the ligaments.
➡️ My favorite pillow for ligament pain: PharMeDoc U-Shaped Pregnancy Pillow on Amazon – it supports both your belly and back at the same time.
Best Pillow Positions for Round Ligament Pain Relief
1. Place a Pillow Under Your Belly
Even a small amount of lift under your bump can reduce the tension on your ligaments.
➡️ Try the Hiccapop Pregnancy Wedge Pillow for compact belly support.
2. Sleep on Your Side With a Full-Body Pillow
Side sleeping is the safest and most comfortable position during pregnancy. A full-body pillow keeps your belly, hips, and back aligned.
➡️ I love the Leachco Snoogle C-Shaped Pillow because it hugs both your front and back.
3. Keep a Pillow Between Your Knees
Placing a pillow between your knees helps keep your hips aligned, which can take pressure off your ligaments.
➡️ If you want something small and firm, check out this knee pillow on Amazon.
Extra Tips for Managing Round Ligament Pain at Night
- Switch sides slowly to avoid sudden pulls on your ligaments.
- Do gentle stretches before bed to loosen up your hips.
- Use a wedge pillow behind your back to stop yourself from rolling onto your back.
- If pain wakes you up, sit up slowly and adjust your pillows instead of forcing yourself back to sleep uncomfortably.
➡️ Click here to shop the best pregnancy pillows for ligament pain relief on Amazon
My Final Thoughts
Round ligament pain can make it hard to rest, but using the right pregnancy pillow can ease the strain and help you sleep through the night.
Personally, I found that combining a wedge pillow under my belly with a full-body pillow for overall alignment made the biggest difference.
➡️ Shop my favorite pregnancy pillows for round ligament pain relief here on Amazon
Trust me, the right support changes everything.
When I first started feeling round ligament pain, I thought it was just normal stretching pain and didn’t think much of it. But when the sharp pulling sensation kept waking me up at night, I realized I needed to find a real solution.
One of the first changes I made was using a wedge pillow directly under my belly every night. Even a slight lift relieved some of the pressure and reduced the sharp pain I’d get when rolling over in bed.
I also learned that supporting my hips was just as important as supporting my bump. When my hips weren’t aligned, the pulling on my ligaments felt worse. That’s why adding a pillow between my knees became a game-changer.
If you’re struggling to get comfortable, try layering your pillows. I used a full-body U-shaped pillow for overall alignment and a smaller wedge pillow for targeted belly support. The combination kept me comfortable through the night.
I noticed that the firmness of the pillow made a big difference. Softer pillows tended to flatten out and didn’t keep my bump supported. A firmer pregnancy pillow held its shape better and gave me consistent relief.
Another hack I used was to switch sides slowly and carefully when sleeping. Quick movements can tug on the round ligaments, so I’d sit up slightly, adjust my pillow, and then roll over gently.
I also started using my pregnancy pillow during the day while sitting on the couch. Wrapping it around my lower back gave me great lumbar support and kept my ligaments from feeling strained.
One mistake I made early on was not using my pillow consistently. On the nights I skipped it, my round ligament pain always felt worse the next morning. Using it every night gave me the most relief.
I discovered that stretching before bed made my pillow even more effective. Doing gentle hip and lower back stretches loosened the ligaments so they weren’t as tight when I finally lay down.
Another great tip is to use your pregnancy pillow to prop yourself up slightly. When I was lying flat, I felt more pulling in my lower belly, but sleeping at a slight incline helped reduce that tension.
If you don’t have space for a big pillow, a smaller wedge pillow behind your back can also work. It stops you from rolling onto your back at night and provides extra stability.
Finally, don’t be afraid to try different pillow shapes and setups. Every pregnancy is different, and what worked for me might need some tweaking for you. Finding the right pillow placement can completely change your nighttime comfort.