Pelvic pain and discomfort happens to approximately 20% of pregnant women and can begin at any stage of pregnancy. For a small number of women it can continue or develop after having a baby. It is more likely to develop in second or further pregnancies.
Lumbo Pelvic pain (pain in the lower back and/or back of the pelvis) is more common, affecting approximately 50% of pregnant women.
Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy
This page will help you to understand Pelvic girdle pain, why it occurs and what you can do about it.
Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy
PGP - Pelvic Girdle Pain
Also sometimes referred to as pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain (PRPGP) or symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) this is the feeling of pain in your pubic bone, groin, hips, buttocks and tailbone (anywhere around the pelvis) that can sometimes accompany pregnancy. Approximately 20% of pregnant women will experience this pain, with a small number still experiencing this after having their baby. Different people can experience different symptoms and the severity of these symptoms can vary from person to person as well as varying with different pregnancies for the same person.
You may feel pain in any of the areas shaded in this picture:
You might feel:
o Difficulty/Pain while walking
o Pain when standing on one leg (e.g. when getting dressed or going up and down stairs)
o Pain/difficulty getting in and out of the car or a bath
o Limited or painful movement in bed (e.g. turning over)
o Difficulty lying in some positions
o Pain during your normal daily activities
o Pain/discomfort during sexual intercourse
o Clicking or grinding feeling through hips/pelvis (this is not harmful but you may notice more of it)
If you are experiencing any of the above please let your midwife know and trial some of the movement strategies below. Often the best results come from altering what you can early so try to access help as soon as you can rather than just pushing through.
You may feel pain in any of the areas shaded in this picture:
You might feel:
o Difficulty/Pain while walking
o Pain when standing on one leg (e.g. when getting dressed or going up and down stairs)
o Pain/difficulty getting in and out of the car or a bath
o Limited or painful movement in bed (e.g. turning over)
o Difficulty lying in some positions
o Pain during your normal daily activities
o Pain/discomfort during sexual intercourse
o Clicking or grinding feeling through hips/pelvis (this is not harmful but you may notice more of it)
If you are experiencing any of the above please let your midwife know and trial some of the movement strategies below. Often the best results come from altering what you can early so try to access help as soon as you can rather than just pushing through.