Some women may develop pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy. This is sometimes called pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PGP) or symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD).
It’s estimated that PGP affects up to 1 in 5 pregnant women to some degree
Thanks to an increase in hormones during pregnancy, your pelvic bones and muscles get all loosey-goosey. The good news is you’re growing to accommodate your baby! (Hooray!) The bad news is all that instability in your pelvis can be super painful.
Symptoms of pelvic girdle pain
PGP, also known as pelvic girdle pain, is not harmful to your baby, but it can definitely put a damper on your mobility and cause discomfort. If you’re experiencing PGP, you might feel:
- pain in various areas such as the pubic bone, lower back, perineum (the area between your vagina and anus), and even down to your thighs
- clicking or grinding sounds in their pelvic area
- pain when walking, climbing stairs, standing on one leg, rolling over in bed, or simply widening your legs
However, the good news is that most women with PGP can still have a vaginal birth. So, while it may be a painful journey, rest assured that it won’t harm your baby.
Coping with pelvic pain in pregnancy
There are various strategies to handle and alleviate the symptoms of PGP. Consider implementing the following measures:
- Maintain close proximity between your knees whenever possible
- Ensure you stay adequately hydrated by drinking ample water throughout the day
- Opt to sit down while putting on socks and shoes
- Consider using a maternity support garment for added comfort
- Applying a bag of frozen peas to the affected areas can provide relief as well
Additionally, there are some specific recommendations to keep in mind:
- During sleep, lie on your side with a pillow positioned between your knees
- When getting into bed, squeeze your knees together and roll onto your side
- When engaging in physical activity, take shorter steps and modify stair climbing by facing sideways
- Incorporate modified squats to elongate and
- Avoid exercises that involve spreading your knees apart, such as deep squats, child’s pose, or lunges.
- It is advisable to refrain from running at this time
- During labour, try positioning yourself on your hands and knees or lying on one side with a knee drawn towards your chest. Upright positions can also be beneficial.
A word from a women`s health physio
Managing pelvic pain during pregnancy can be tricky. Getting diagnosed as early as possible can help keep pain to a minimum and avoid long-term discomfort.
Physiotherapy aims to relieve or ease pain, improve muscle function, and improve your pelvic joint position and stability.
This may include:
- exercises to stretch and strengthen your pelvic floor, stomach, back and hip muscles
- equipment, if necessary, such as crutches or pelvic support belts
These problems tend not to get completely better until the baby is born, but treatment from an experienced practitioner can improve the symptoms during pregnancy.
Whether you’re wanting to avoid pelvic floor problems or overcome them, I’m here for you.
