Pelvic Girdle Pain In Pregnancy!

Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is very common during pregnancy, often affecting the pubic symphysis and sacroiliac joints. Throughout my pregnancy journey my pain has been localised in the frontal pubic symphysis area and this has been since week 23! I am now week 37 as I write this blog post. It hasn't been the most pleasant experience, but I have managed it as best as I can.

With PGP, the most common symptoms described with pelvic girdle pain are:

1. Pain around pubic symphysis or groin.

2. Pain around the middle of the buttock that can sometimes be felt in the low back or the posterior thigh.

3. Pain that refers down the back of her leg towards her knee.

The degree of pain can vary from woman to woman but this can be from a mild annoyance to severe pain requiring a walking aid! My pain has got progressively worse as the weeks have gone on, with a dull aching constantly now especially when I move around and get up from sitting.

At the front of the pelvis, you may experience a sharp, stabbing pain. For some women the pain radiates into the inner thigh as well. Or even swelling in this area. Pain around the sacroiliac joint will often feel like a “pain in the butt” and some women will think they have sciatica (but no pins and needles or numbness). Sometimes women can be unlucky and have pain in more than one joint of the pelvis.

Getting in and out of bed can be a struggle, standing on one leg to put shoes or socks on, or getting up and down can make the pain in the front of the pelvis worse. I know for me, when I have been seated for too long, when I then stand the front feels like pressure and hurts. The pain can be aggravated by activities that mimic the above movements such as twisting of the pelvis such as walking, cycling, certain cardio machines, daily activities such as rolling in bed, into and out of a car, up and down from the toilet seat.

If you are having this type of pain then you should seek advice from your healthcare provider. My pelvic health physiotherapist reassured me and gave me some specific exercises to do. I work these alongside my own modified exercises. It is important for you to be screened for any serious issues as well, and you will be asked specific questions which will indicate if you need further assessment or there is a need for further investigation.

Exercise plays an important part in maintaining health and wellbeing throughout pregnancy. With pain described above and immobility, this can take a physical and emotional toll, I totally get it. I can help you modify exercises in order to keep you moving. Examples include - avoiding single leg exercises concentrating on bilateral work only such as clams, glute bridges from the floor, wall squats with swiss ball; being supported (sitting on a bench/chair/swiss ball) when performing upper body movements; avoiding wider stance squats; avoiding any abduction movements.

If you are finding it difficult to exercise, you may like to read my top tips to keeping you active and mobile during pregnancy. Drop me a message and I will send this straight over for you! :)