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To say that your body goes through a lot of physical changes during pregnancy is an understatement. After all, you're literally growing another human being inside your uterus. So, in addition to your expanding belly, you may experience hormone fluctuations, nausea, fatigue, weird food cravings, heartburn, swollen feet, skin changes, and Braxton Hicks contractions — to name just a few of the many, many symptoms.
There's also a good chance that you'll encounter what is known colloquially as "lightning crotch." Although there's no official medical term for the uncomfortable sensation — which has been described as a sudden sharp pain in your pelvic area, similar to an electric jolt — many moms-to-be feel it in the later months of pregnancy. So, what is it, what does it mean, and why does it happen?
What is lightning crotch?
Allow these women to paint a picture for you. "Lightning crotch feels like your vagina walked into an electric fence," mom-of-two Rachel Paula Wollner, who experienced it in her third trimester, often when standing or moving around, told Mom.com. "The zap would come on suddenly and take my breath away. It was one of the most painful parts of pregnancy for me, but it only hurt for a second."
Jamie K., who also endured the telltale zings when she was expecting her son, adds: "I experienced it toward the end of pregnancy. I had read about it, so it wasn’t a complete surprise. What was a surprise was actually feeling it. It's appropriately named!"
Indeed, like an actual bolt of lightning, lightning crotch tends to strike suddenly and sharply, which distinguishes it from other kinds of aches and pains in pregnancy. It doesn't affect everyone, but if you have it, you'll probably know it.
What causes lightning crotch?
According to Medical News Today, there are several possible explanations for the pain associated with lightning crotch. Some doctors believe it may be caused by your fetus moving and putting pressure on a nerve, which could account for why it tends to strike later in pregnancy, when the baby is bigger.
"The majority of nerves in the uterus are actually right by the cervix," Dr. Idries Abdur Rahman, explained to Self. "Regardless of the baby's position, if something's pressing on your cervix, it can stimulate those nerves."
It also may have something to do with actual lightening (with an "e," not to be confused with "lightning," with no "e"), which is when the baby settles lower into your pelvis in preparation for delivery. (This is also sometimes known as "baby dropping.") According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), lightening can occur anywhere from a few weeks to a few hours ahead of labor.
Unfortunately, since the exact cause of lightning crotch is not clear, there isn't necessarily one tried-and-true way to prevent it. As Wollner says, though, the pain is fleeting, so relief is likely not far behind that initial jolt. Healthline reports that it may also help to stay active, work with a qualified prenatal massage therapist, or look into support garments for pregnant women. And, if nothing else, you can take comfort in the likelihood that it will stop happening after you give birth.
Do I need to see a doctor for lightning crotch?
Although unexpected pain during pregnancy can be scary, Chaunie Brusie, a registered nurse, reports for Healthline that lightning crotch on its own is usually not cause for concern. "In general, lightning pain is a normal part of pregnancy and nothing to be too worried about," Brusie writes.
That said, it's never a bad idea to consult your physician. They may be able to offer suggestions for relief, or at least confirm that what you're experiencing is, in fact, lightning crotch.
You should also definitely tell your doctor if the shooting pains are accompanied by other symptoms, such as bleeding or fever, which could indicate an infection or complication, according to Medical News Today.
Additionally, be on the lookout for signs of active labor. While lightning crotch can occur at any time and for several weeks before you actually give birth, it could be an indication that labor is close if it's accompanied by other symptoms. Signs of labor may include regular, increasingly strong contractions or your water breaking.
