Pelvic Pain in Pregnancy

• July 23, 2021November 25, 2025
• 0

This pain is known as Pregnancy-related Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) or Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD).

PGP is painful and uncomfortable symptoms are caused by stiffness of your pelvic joints.

• Pain over the pubic bone at the front in the centre
• 1 or both sides of your lower back and hip
• in the area between your vagina and anus (perineum)
• On spreading to your thighs
• walking, using stairs
• standing on 1 leg (when you’re getting dressed)
• turning over in bed
• when you get out of a car separating your legs

What To Do?

• be as active as possible within your pain limits,
• rest when you can
• wear flat, supportive shoes
• Pelvic girdle belt to support pelvis
• sit down to get dressed
• keep your knees together when getting in and out of the car
• sleep in a comfortable position – for example, on your side with a pillow between your legs
• try different ways of turning over in bed – for example, turning over with your knees together
• take the stairs 1 at a time,
• if you want to have sex, consider different positions, such as kneeling on all fours

Many women with pelvic pain in pregnancy can have a normal vaginal birth. Tips to follow:

• Exercise to strengthen pelvic floor muscles.
• Swimming
• Being in water can take the weight off your joints and allow you to move more easily, so you might want to think about having a water birth.