Lightning crotch is a sudden, sharp pain that occurs in the pelvis, rectum, or vulva. Here’s the 411 on pregnancy lightning crotch, plus what natural remedies to use when you experience pelvic pain during pregnancy.
Our bodies do some weird things during pregnancy, and we’ve created some weird terms to describe these strange phenomena. Like the term bloody show. And, of course, lightning crotch.
What is Lightning Crotch?
Lightning crotch is a catch-all phrase for a sudden, sharp, stabbing pain that occurs in the pelvis, rectum, or vulva. Many mamas experience the painful sensation of lightning crotch in their nether regions without knowing that it has an official name.
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Symptoms
While “lightning crotch” isn’t a medical term, it is a common expression used to describe a sudden, sharp, and intense pain in the pelvic area during pregnancy. It feels like, as the name implies, a lightning flash of pain. Sometimes the pain radiates down the legs.
The most common lightning crotch pregnancy symptoms include:
- Sudden, sharp pain or jab in the pelvic region
- Shooting or electric shock-like sensations in the vaginal or rectal area
- Intermittent discomfort that may last only for a moment
- Burst of intense pain triggered by baby’s movements or pressure on the cervix
These pains are likely to increase as you get closer to labor, when baby is putting more pressure on the nerves around the cervix. In addition to sharp pains in the rectum, cervix, or vulva, you may experience constipation, urinary incontinence, and/or frequent urination.
Causes
There are several reasons why expecting mamas get these pains, but it boils down to increased pressure on the bundle of nerves around the cervix. The majority of the nerves in the uterus just so happen to be right above your cervix. As baby moves around and things start happening down there, it can stimulate these nerves.
Common causes of lightning crotch include:
Baby Moving
When your baby changes positions, turns, stretches, or kicks, they can put pressure on the nerves in your uterus, causing a sharp, sudden pain. The pressure on the nerves intensifies during the last few weeks of pregnancy or during labor, especially as baby’s head engages into the pelvis.
Round Ligament Pain
The ligaments that support your pelvis and uterus stretch to accommodate baby during pregnancy. Some women produce more of the hormones relaxin and progesterone than others, causing even more stretching and loosening of the ligaments. When these round ligaments stretch too far or too quickly, it can cause the lightning crotch pain.
Magnesium Deficiency
Most of us are lacking in this essential mineral, but our stores become even more depleted when they’re trying to keep up with two people’s needs. Magnesium is vital for many of the body’s functions, but it is especially helpful for proper nerve function. A magnesium deficiency only compounds the sharp nerve pains caused by lightning crotch, and can cause muscle cramps and sciatica.
Varicose Veins
You’re probably well aware of unsightly varicose veins in the legs, but during pregnancy you can also get varicosities in the vaginal area. This can cause tingly pelvic pain from blood pooling in the lower extremities, similar to the zinging feeling of lightning crotch.
Lightning Crotch FAQ
When Does it Happen?
Depending on what is causing it, you can get lightning crotch pains throughout pregnancy, but they tend to intensify in the weeks before labor. You may even get the sharp pains in the hours leading up to delivery. Some women find that certain positions when sitting or lying down can trigger lightning crotch.
Is Lightning Crotch a Sign of Labor?
Some women feel these pains throughout their pregnancy, when a swift kick from baby’s foot or elbow hits the bundle of nerves by the cervix. That said, as baby continues to move towards the birth canal, their head will put more pressure on the area, causing more shooting pains. Lightning crotch pain really doesn’t mean anything, except that the nerves in that area are being triggered.
How Long Does Lightning Crotch Last?
The pain is commonly sudden, intense, and brief. These episodes typically last only for a moment, often just a few seconds, and are not a continuous or long-lasting discomfort.
Can Lightning Crotch Break Your Water?
Lightning crotch itself isn’t associated with breaking your water. When your water breaks, there’s a rupture of the amniotic sac, which releases the amniotic fluid. This typically happens as a distinct process during labor, while lightning crotch can happen any time during your pregnancy.
Should I Be Worried About Lightning Crotch Pain?
Random cramps and pains are to be expected when your body is preoccupied with growing another human being, but there is a point when you need to contact your birth professional. If you experience cramping or pains at regular intervals, accompanied by spotting or bleeding, be sure to tell your doctor or midwife right away. Note that any type of pain that goes above and beyond typical lightning crotch could be a symptom of something more serious.
Natural Remedies for Lightning Crotch
You don’t have much control over your baby’s movements, but there are some things that can help relieve the pain caused by lightning crotch.
1. Chiropractic Adjustments
A good chiropractor will help align the spine by releasing subluxations that cause nerve compression. Since your body is now carrying increased weight, it can throw off your balance. A chiropractor can adjust the spine and pelvis to relieve pressure that’s being put on ligaments and nerves, especially the sciatic nerve that can cause shooting pains down the legs.
2. Myofascial Release Therapy
This type of gentle therapy is helpful to normalize the pelvic floor muscle tone and can be done by a chiropractor who specializes in it. By activating the body’s trigger points, muscles that are causing nerve compression and imbalance in the pelvis will be released.
3. Acupuncture and Acupressure
This ancient form of Chinese medicine works by targeting and releasing nerve points in the body. It’s powerful enough to encourage cervical ripening and improve labor and delivery, but it also helps relieve pelvic pain.
This study shows that acupuncture is highly effective at relieving pelvic pain, but the points used are the ones typically avoided during pregnancy by traditional Chinese medicine. Be sure to consult with a qualified practitioner who will take all of the factors into account and come up with a personalized plan for you.
4. Movement and Exercise
Regular and gentle exercise during pregnancy has many benefits, including preparing the body for the stress of labor. Here are some specific pregnancy exercises and techniques that can be used to help bring balance to the pelvis, support round ligaments, and get baby in an optimal position.
When round ligament muscles are tight, you can feel the pulling in your pelvis and even down into your labia. The exercises above help relieve excess pressure on the pelvis and alleviate symptoms of lightning crotch triggered by stretching round ligaments.
5. Supportive Clothing
Wearing a belly band and compression garments help relieve pressure in the pelvic area. Since blood flow significantly increases in the vaginal area during pregnancy, this can help relieve the tingly pain caused by varicose veins in the area. It can also help prevent blood from pooling in your lower extremities and vagina.
6. Supplement with Magnesium
Magnesium is necessary for proper nerve function. It helps prevent muscle cramping and sciatica discomfort that can cause pelvic pain during pregnancy. Some healthcare professionals believe that over 75 percent of the U.S. population is deficient in this important mineral. Learn if you’re deficient here. And learn about the best magnesium supplement here. (Of course, you can always start with just boosting your intake of magnesium-rich foods!)
7. Change Positions
Changing positions while sitting can help alleviate lightning crotch during pregnancy. It’s effective because it reduces the pressure on the cervix and supporting ligaments, which often cause the sharp pain. Shifting to a more comfortable position can also improve blood flow to the pelvic area and engage different muscles, which eases tension and pressure, offering relief.
8. Get Enough Rest
Getting enough rest during pregnancy can help alleviate lightning crotch by allowing your body to recover and reduce muscle tension. Resting can minimize overall stress on your body, which can contribute to the sensation of lightning crotch. Plus, adequate rest is vital for your overall well-being during pregnancy.
Dealing with Lightning Crotch
Even though this issue has a silly name, the sudden stabbing pain in the pelvic area is no joke. Thankfully, these shooting jabs will come and go quickly.
To recap, this is what you can do with deal with and alleviate lightning crotch pain:
- Shift your body when sitting or sleeping to alleviate pressure on the cervix
- Consider using maternity support belts or belly bands for added pelvic support
- See a chiropractor or acupuncturist for therapeutic support
- Perform gentle exercises to improve pelvic flexibility and reduce tension
- Take breaks, lie down, or engage in relaxation techniques to ease discomfort
