Pelvic Girdle Pain
Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain affects up to 1 in 4 pregnant women.
Here’s what you can do.
What is pelvic girdle pain?
Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) refers to pain or discomfort felt over the pelvic joints, including the pubic bone, hips, lower back, groin, and thighs.
It may worsen with movements such as turning in bed, getting in and out of the car, walking or exercising. You may also experience a phenomenon called ‘'lightning crotch’.
The pain can range from mild to severe and can impact daily activities and quality of life.
Pelvic girdle pain often starts in the end of first trimester, or around 30-32 weeks.
When is it not pelvic girdle pain?
Not all pelvic, hip, or lower back discomfort in pregnancy is pelvic girdle pain. True pelvic girdle pain typically involves pain that is directly linked to movement, such as getting in and out of a car, going up stairs, or rolling in bed.
Persistent abdominal pain, cramping, vaginal bleeding, fever, or pain not associated with movement may be unrelated to pelvic girdle pain and should be assessed by your healthcare provider as they could indicate other pregnancy complications.
What can you do for pelvic girdle pain at home?
Pelvic stretches can be very effective for pain relief. Stretching your glutes, hip, quads, hamstrings and lower back daily.
Avoid lifting movements especially when you’re in a poor posture. Bend from your knees with both feet firmly planted on the ground.
Avoid movements that aggravate the pelvis especially any single leg exercises or lunges.
Sleep with a pillow between your knees and ankles, or pregnancy specific pillows such as the Sleepy Belly.
Wear pelvic support garments such as pelvic belts, tubigrip/compression pants or bellyband. This will provide support to the pelvis throughout the day.
How can a pelvic floor physiotherapist help?
It is important to seek help from a pelvic floor physiotherapist if pelvic girdle pain persists.
There is a big link between pelvic pain and pelvic floor dysfunction, which can worsen issues such as stress urinary incontinence and pelvic floor muscle strength..
A pelvic floor physiotherapist will be able to assess your pelvis comprehensively to determine the root cause of the problem and address it.