We Need To Talk FANNY DAGGERS (um, excuse me!
Fanny daggers are also known as lightning crotch
Is it appropriate for me to get this up close and personal with you if we’ve only just met? What the heck. I’ll introduce myself in a moment!
If you’ve never heard either of these phrases, for the sheer weirdness of it, take a moment to guess what they might mean? No? Probably a good thing, and you might never need to - this thing we’re about to talk about doesn’t affect ALL pregnant women. Phew.
I heard the phrase fanny daggers for the first time in the school playground from a lean and leggy blond who was pregnant with baby #5. I asked lots of my friends about it but nope, we all drew blanks.
Imagine the scene - you’re quietly chatting to your next door neighbour at a safe distance when you feel like a horse has galloped right up to you and kicked you in the foof. Ouch. Twenty seconds later it’s like it never happened. Ever.
Lightning crotch is characterised as sudden sharp and shooting pain in the pelvis that is most common in the final 4-6 weeks of your third trimester (sigh of relief if you’re in your first or second trimester), but it is still possible you’ll experience it earlier, or with any luck, not at all!).
WHAT CAUSES LIGHTNING CROTCH?
It seems that your baby’s activity kickstarts (no pun intended) lightning crotch. As he or she moves into the best position for birth (head down, chin to chest, hands to heart, back to your belly) your pelvic bones begin to pull away from each other and separate in preparation for birth. The intensity of the discomfort you feel is relative to your baby’s size and position. Your baby’s head may already be pressing against your cervix which puts pressure on your nerve endings.
HERE’S WHAT ELSE YOU NEED TO KNOW:
It’s not talked about that often - can’t imagine why! It’s quite normal in pregnancy but not pleasant (obvs)
Lightning crotch or fanny daggers might sound funny but if it’s painful for you the intensity is no joke
It is sometimes mistaken for sciatica and ligament pain (and sometimes there is ligament pain too!)
The pain is shooting and sudden and may travel from the groin down your inner thigh and occasionally it is felt in the vagina, rectum or uterus
it can last anything from 15 - 60 seconds (or thereabouts)
It’ll strike without warning and catch you off guard. It’ll go just as fast.
They often happen when you’ve been static for a long time (sitting or in bed)
Sometimes the pain is barely noticeable and by the time you do notice it it’s nearly over, other times it can take the wind out your sails (aim to sit down and stretch whilst it’s happening (tune into what your body is telling you), and give a long slow exhale out through your mouth to increase relaxation
It doesn’t mean labour is about to start
Lighting crotch should go away once your baby is born
This is part of your body getting ready for your baby’s birthday
If the pain isn’t sudden and fleeting but feels more like strong period pain, starts to come at regular intervals, increases in duration or intensity you might be in labour so follow your birth plan (whether that’s hospital, birth centre of home birth). Start to record the frequency of the cramps.
how do pregnant women describe lightning crotch?
A direct electric shock
Shooting pins and needles
Burning twinges
Like you’ve been firmly kicked in the foof or punched in the vajayjay
One mum described it as the female equivalent of great balls of fire!
CAN you PREVENT LIGHTNING CROTCH?
THANKFULLY THE FOLLOWING CAN HELP:
Exercising or doing prenatal yoga regularly can help keep your pelvis and hips flexible and relax tight muscles
Regular warm baths
Prenatal massage
Movement is medicine: try not to remain in one position for a long period of time, keep moving
Try to keep your pelvis aligned (don’t sit with a foot tucked under your butt or cross your legs. Sleep with a pillow between knees and ankles)
A birthing ball can help some women but feels more uncomfortable for others. Listen to your own body.
It’s understood that lightning crotch can be eased with a magnesium supplement because (I’m no expert on this part so do some digging of your own)
Wearing a supportive pregnancy belt is thought to help reduce the discomfort
DOES IT NEED MEDICAL SUPPORT?
It’s always worth mentioning to your midwife or GP so that you and your baby are given the best care all round. You might benefit from some chiropractic adjustments; specify why you’re seeking assistance when you book the appointment to make sure you get someone who knows about it.
Have you experienced lightning crotch? What helped you the most?
Who is this person talking about fanny daggers? My name’s Sophia Hanson and I’m a prenatal yoga and hypnobirthing teacher. I specialise in supporting pregnant women to build confidence in their bodies and feel as calm and relaxed as possible during labour so that they dramatically increase their chances of a better birth.
Sound good? Check this out.
