RLP Relief

Admittedly, thus far I've had a pretty easy pregnancy. But as of late, I've suffered two totally, frustratingly annoying symptoms: killer heartburn and hand-me-an-icepack round-ligament-pain (in our house, grudgingly referred to as RLP).

After a quick call to the midwives' office, I received antidote for the former: 150 mg of Zantac 2x/day. Works like magic. Pass the garlic hot wings. But the latter has proved much more troubling.

Web MD describes round ligament pain (RLP from now on) as a type of pelvic pain caused by stretching of the round ligaments, which hold your uterus in suspension within your abdomen. As the uterus grows in size and weight, these ligaments become very long and thin, stressing and tensing like rubber bands. The ligaments pull and tug on nearby nerve fibers and sensitive structures, causing pain, especially during or after exercise.



And running is exercise that causes me some serious RLP. The first couple times it happened, and notably after the Corktown run, I was worried. I eased off the running, wore flats to work and complained. But soon after, around 19 weeks, running was out of the question. Heck, walking hurt. I did my internet research and found quite a few blog and forum posts about RLP and running. The top tidbits of advice: #1.) Stop running and #2.) Buy a support band.

Fearful of gaining 50 pregnancy pounds, and with the RLP keeping me from walking for exercise, and little confidence in an elliptical's ability to keep the peanut M&M's off my ass, I opted for #2. Of course, there are 27 different maternity support band brands and types, and reviews led me to conclude that it's a total crap-shoot. I turned to a gym aquatintance and two-time Ironman triathlete finisher, who I knew ran 6 miles the day before her c-section (and yes, is probably also a tad insane), for advice. She recommended the Medela (yep - the same peeps who make breast pumps) Maternity Support Belt.

After a couple clicks on Amazon and about 4 days of restless anticipation, what I hoped was the answer to my RLP, arrived. Despite the questionable packaging and model choice, I was optimistic. It was soft (probably wouldn't irritate my skin) and offered a decent amount of support.






Not to mention I looked awesome in it.

Well, I was wrong. (About the amount of support. I know I looked awesome in it.) My coo coo Ironwoman friend must have had more cooperative round ligaments. Mine laughed at the Medala. Not a titter. A hardy, German-man belly laugh.

Sure, it offers support. During a normal day. Or grocery shopping. But brisk walking, wogging, or heaven-forbid running? Ummm, no.




I hemmed and hawed. What to do? What to do? As I did deliberated (and crafted like a woman possessed), I watched the numbers on the scale rise. So, I logged back into my Amazon account and a couple clicks later, the blog/forum maternity-support-band-for-runners all-star favorite, the Gabrialla, was on its way to 505. Of course, while I waited, the RLP began to abate (something that I read could happen in the third trimester). But, I figured I may as well give it a go. I could always sell it on craigslist.

My second chance at RLP relief arrived last Wednesday. Better packaging (no model headshot) and what looked like a serious increase in support. Not baby's bottom soft, but the support to softness trade-off seems worth it.






And of course, there was the awesome-looking factor.

With the craft show last weekend, I haven't gotten a chance to really try it out. But with the test-runs around the house, I am hopeful that I'll at least be able to walk briskly without RLP.

I'll be sure to report back.

But for now, to any of my pregnant running pals out there, I say, "Buy the Gabrialla not the Medela."

Who knows, maybe this endorsement will earn me a freebie...