Pelvic pain in pregnancy

Some women may develop pelvic pain in pregnancy. This is sometimes called pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PGP) or symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD).

PGP is a collection of uncomfortable symptoms caused by a stiffness of your pelvic joints or the joints moving unevenly at either the back or front of your pelvis.

  • over the pubic bone at the front in the centre, roughly level with your hips
  • across 1 or both sides of your lower back
  • in the area between your vagina and anus (perineum)
  • spreading to your thighs

Some women may feel or hear a clicking or grinding in the pelvic area.

The pain can be worse when you’re:

  • walking
  • going up or down stairs
  • standing on 1 leg (for example, when you’re getting dressed)
  • turning over in bed
  • moving your legs apart (for example, when you get out of a car)

Most women with PGP can have a vaginal birth.

Visit your doctor if you have pelvic pain and:

  • it’s hard for you to move around
  • it hurts to get out of a car or turn over in bed
  • it’s painful going up or down stairs

Getting diagnosed as early as possible can help keep pain to a minimum and avoid long-term discomfort.

You may be referred to a physiotherapy service that specializes in obstetric pelvic joint problems.

Physiotherapy aims to relieve or ease pain, improve muscle function, and improve your pelvic joint position and stability.

This may include:

  • exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor, stomach, back and hip muscles
  • equipment, if necessary, such as crutches or pelvic support belts

Your physiotherapist may recommend a pelvic support belt to help ease your pain, or crutches to help you get around.

There are some things you can do to help ease pelvic and lower back pain in pregnancy.

Try to:

  • keep active but avoid doing things that make the pain worse
  • rest when you can
  • wear supportive shoes
  • put equal weight on each leg when standing
  • sit down when getting dressed or undressed
  • put a pillow between your legs, under your belly for extra support in bed
  • keep your knees together when getting in and out of the car

You should also avoid:

  • sitting or standing for long periods
  • going up and down stairs too often
  • lifting heavy objects, such as shopping bags

If you have chronic pain, practice relaxation techniques like breathing, meditation to cope with the pain.

If your pain is causing you considerable distress, then you should let your doctor know. You may require additional treatment.

Many women with pelvic pain in pregnancy can have a normal vaginal birth.

Plan ahead and talk about your birth plan with your doctor.

Write in your birth plan that you have PGP, so the people supporting you during labor and birth will be aware of your condition.

Think about birth positions that are the most comfortable for you, and write them in your birth plan.

Being in water can take the weight off your joints and allow you to move more easily, so you might want to think about having a water birth. You can discuss this with your midwife.

It’s estimated that PGP affects up to 1 in 5 pregnant women to some degree.

It’s not known exactly why pelvic pain affects some women, but it’s thought to be linked to a number of issues, including previous damage to the pelvis, pelvic joints moving unevenly, and the weight or position of the baby.

Factors that may make a woman more likely to develop PGP include:

  • a history of lower back or pelvic girdle pain
  • previous injury to the pelvis (for example, from a fall or accident)
  • having PGP in a previous pregnancy
  • a physically demanding job
  • being overweight

Credits to NHS, UK

Join our Prenatal Fitness sessions conducted by internationally certified Prenatal coaches Online or In person to manage your pelvic girdle pain by strengthening your body. Call us on +91 8976358267 or email us at [email protected] for more details.

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