Pelvic Girdle Pain In Pregnancy: Everything You Need To Know

Pregnancy is the most transformative phase in every woman’s life. A woman goes through various physical and mental changes during her pregnancy. One such common issue is Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP), which affects many expectant mothers. Although it doesn’t affect all pregnant women, according to the research, around 20% of expectant mothers experience some degree of pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy. 

It is important to educate yourself about the issue and how to manage it to ensure a smoother pregnancy journey. 

What is Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP)?

The pelvic girdle is a ring around your body at the base of your spine. Pelvic girdle pain is discomfort or pain experienced in the pelvic region, lower back, hips, or thighs during pregnancy. The discomfort may spread to your upper thigh or perineum. It can be experienced during pregnancy, as this is the time when your pelvic ligaments relax and other joints become more mobile. It may cause discomfort or pain in the pelvic area. 

Causes of Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy

• Hormonal Changes

The ovaries and placenta produce a hormone called relaxin during pregnancy. Its primary job is to “relax” your ligaments and muscles to prepare the body for childbirth. As the hormone makes your ligaments looser, it can increase pressure on the pelvic joints, causing instability and pain in the pelvic region. 

• Increased Pressure

The extra weight of the baby puts pressure on the pelvis and lower back as it grows, especially in the later stages of pregnancy. It can cause a casual strain on the pelvic joints, causing discomfort for the expectant mother. 

• Posture and Movement Changes

The growing baby can change the posture of the expectant mother and put a strain on the pelvis. As the baby grows, the body naturally adapts to accommodate it, causing an alteration in posture and gait. These modifications can aggravate pelvic pain. 

• History of PGP in Previous Pregnancies

Women who have had PGP in a previous pregnancy may have the chance to experience it again in a subsequent pregnancy. 

Symptoms of Pelvic Girdle Pain During Pregnancy

• Pain in the Pelvic Area

The most common symptom of PGP is pelvic pain. The pregnant woman may experience deep pelvic pain described as sharp, stabbing, or aching. The woman may experience pain around the sacroiliac joints, i.e., at the back of the pelvis, the symphysis pubis joint, i.e., at the front of the pelvis, or both. 

• Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is another common symptom of PGP, which can be felt by the expectant mother if she stands for an extended period or engages in any weight-bearing activities. 

• Difficulty in Mobility

Due to pain, the pregnant lady may find it challenging to walk, climb stairs, and turn in bed while sleeping. 

• Stiffness

Many women may experience stiffness due to PGP, especially after extended periods of inactivity or rest. 

Conclusion

Remember, not all pregnant women experience Pelvic Grindle Pain during pregnancy. But if you are one of them, you must seek help from renowned wellness centers, such as ANSSI Wellness, that provide 100% Non-Surgical spinal decompression treatment to alleviate the pain.