Pregnancy brings many uncomfortable symptoms. Most people are familiar with Braxton-Hicks contractions, false labour and morning sickness. However, lightning crotch in pregnancy is a less commonly discussed yet frequently experienced discomfort. This sensation may occur due to the baby's movements, the fetus moving into the lower end of the uterus in preparation for delivery or pressure on ligaments. In this article, you will learn about its causes, symptoms and modes of treatment, as well as when to seek medical advice.
Lighting crotch is a shooting, sharp or burning pain in the vaginal area. It is a pregnancy-related symptom that is not a cause for great concern. It means the baby is applying pressure to the cervix or the nerves around it. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus where the baby grows during pregnancy.
For correctly diagnosing lightning crotch in pregnancy, symptoms need to be checked. You may feel a shooting, sharp and quick pain in your vagina, rectum or pelvic area. Some people experience it as a stabbing jolt or stinging pain that comes and goes away quickly, like lightning, hence called lightning crotch. The pain is not similar to menstrual cramps and is also unlike contractions, where the uterus tightens and loosens. Lightning crotch usually feels like pressure being applied to the cervix and its nerves. The intensity of the pain depends on the size and position of the fetus.
If you are wondering at what stage of pregnancy you are likely to experience lightning crotch, the answer is that it can start between 28 and 40 weeks of pregnancy or in the third trimester when the baby grows big and drops into the pelvis in preparation for labour and delivery.
Does it mean if you experience shooting pain, your labour is near? The answer is inconclusive. Lightning crotch is an indication that labour is approaching, but you can also have this pain a few months or weeks before labour. So, healthcare providers do not consider it a reliable sign that you are approaching labour, but it can be a sign that it is getting close.
The duration of the pain can help determine if you're experiencing lightning crotch. The pain is sharp and comes on quickly, but it's very brief and doesn't resemble the ache of cramps or the rhythmic tightening of contractions. It feels more like a shooting or stabbing pain. Since it is not a sign of a serious problem, your doctor does not treat it unless you have this condition along with other signs like:
● Lower back pain
● Regular contractions
● Nausea
● Vaginal discharge that has a tinge of blood
The cause of lightning crotch is not known. Some expectant mothers feel it, while others do not. However, if you experience it, some possible causes can be:
During pregnancy, the baby turns, stretches or kicks, which may squeeze the nerves. This may lead to a sharp and sudden pain in your vagina, rectum or pelvis. As the fetus grows, the pressure gets stronger because of the movement, which may lead to more pain.
When the fetus moves lower down in the uterus to prepare for labour, it is called dropping. The head applies pressure to the pelvic floor, bladder and exposed nerves. The force on the nerve leads to sharp pain.
Thick ligaments hold the uterus in place. The growing belly during pregnancy applies extra force on the thick ligaments, causing them to thin or stretch. Sometimes, movement in a specific way also stretches the ligament too fast or too far, causing a sharp pain. Typically, round ligament pain is a symptom of lightning crotch in the 2nd trimester.
Lightning crotch pain is not preventable or curable, especially if it is because of the baby’s position in your uterus. However, many home remedies can help you get pain relief. Not all remedies work for everyone, and you should try multiple methods to find out what works well, particularly if the pain is unexpected or sudden. Some home remedies to try are:
Change positions when you feel pain, as this may help relieve the pressure on your nerves. As the baby grows, it puts pressure on the nerves, and shifting positions may help reduce lightning crotch pain. Ensure you move slowly and deliberately. For instance, when you get out of a car or out of bed, move slowly, as jerky or quick movements lead to lightning crotch pain.
Taking a warm shower can relieve many discomforts, body aches, and stress. Water relaxes the body by enhancing blood circulation and reducing pain in the round ligament. However, to make the most of this bath, ensure the water is not very hot, as it can raise the core body temperature and lead to more discomfort.
A massage is one of the best home remedies for aches and pains. It helps prevent or alleviate lighting crotch pain by improving blood circulation, aiding in muscle relaxation, and reducing common pains and aches during pregnancy. However, it is important to get it done by a certified, experienced masseur and a specialist in prenatal massage.
Use belly or abdominal support bands made specifically for pregnancy. These bands help to lessen the pressure on the pelvis, which may ease the shooting or sharp pain and pressure on the nerves around the pelvis.
Make gentle exercise a part of your routine throughout your pregnancy. Swimming or walking are great options.
Pains and aches are typical during pregnancy, so it becomes hard for first-time moms to know when to consult a doctor. If you feel a shooting or sharp pain in your crotch, along with other signs like fever or vaginal bleeding, consult a doctor. Your obstetrician or gynaecologist will check if there are issues like infection.
This pain is generally brief. However, if you experience severe pain, pain that doesn't subside, or multiple episodes in a single day, it's crucial to seek medical help promptly. While there is no cure for this condition, remedial measures may be adopted. Remember, this pain is temporary and resolves after childbirth.
If you are pregnant, aches and pains are something you'll likely encounter. However, sudden sharp pains like lightning crotch can be highly uncomfortable. It is also worth noting that lightning crotch in early pregnancy is uncommon, as it typically happens during the later stage of pregnancy. It is best to let your doctor know if you have sharp shooting pains in your pelvic or vaginal region so that they may offer appropriate advice and ensure your pregnancy is progressing healthily.
The stabbing pain in the cervix at 39 weeks of pregnancy may be lighting crotch pain.
Yes. It may mean the baby is moving.
Conditions like sciatica, pelvic girdle pain or a urinary tract infection can be mistaken for lightning crotch pain.
Lighting crotch can start between 28 and 40 weeks of pregnancy or in the third trimester.
