At some point in pregnancy, everyone is going to experience some degree of pelvic pain, often it’s towards the end of pregnancy but it can start at any time. Your midwife or GP may mention Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) or Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD). These can be quite common and although it can be painful and uncomfortable, it is a ‘real’ pain and there are a few things you can do that might alleviate this pain for you.
PGP often starts when one of your pelvic joints becomes misaligned and stiff which means that the joint moves less than it would do normally, this then causes other joints to overcompensate and as a result making them painful. By treating the stiff joint it’s entirely possible for all of the joints to return to working normally and the pain to recede.
The main symptoms of PGP…
The main symptoms of PGP are a pain when walking, bending, walking upstairs, turning over in bed, getting out of bed, getting out of the bath and getting in and out of the car.
What does PGP feel like?
You may not find that you experience all of these symptoms, you may just get a couple but it’s always worth discussing any symptoms or concerns with your midwife. PGP feels like…
- Hip pain
- Back pain
- Pelvic pain
- Shooting pains in your bottom and down your legs,
- Clicking or grinding in your pelvic joints.
How can you treat PGP?
Usually, PGP can be treated effectively with manual therapy given by a physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath. This approach will involve hands-on manipulation to try and correct the problem that is causing the joints to not work properly. Manual therapy can be uncomfortable for a short period of time but it doesn’t usually last for too long.
If you’re experiencing pelvic pain, please speak to your midwife or GP. If your healthcare provider diagnoses PGP they should arrange for you to be referred to see an NHS physiotherapist. Unfortunately, it is likely that you will be put on a waiting list and may have to wait a number of weeks to be seen. Chiropractors and osteopaths are not ordinarily available through the NHS but they are a very good option if you’re in a position to afford treatment.
Support belts, exercises, massage and acupuncture are helpful tools for relieving the pain but they will not fix the underlying issue that is causing the pain. Pregnancy yoga can also be of huge benefit, please make sure that you let your teacher know that you have PGP so that they can adjust movements for you.
The idea of giving birth if you have PGP can be a scary thought but the right level of support from your midwife and birthing partner will help. If you can let your midwife know what positions you can and can’t get into comfortably this will help to decide what will work for you in labour. It’s also really helpful if you know how far you can move your legs apart without causing pain, you could use a piece of ribbon or string to measure this and you can take this with you to the birthing centre or hospital. If you have an epidural be mindful of how far apart you take your legs as you may overstress your joints and cause more pain postnatally. It’s important where possible to stay off your back, if you need to lie down perhaps try lying on your side instead.
Positions that are good for labour if you have PGP…
- Standing, leaning forwards.
- On all fours.
- Lying on your side with your top leg supported with a peanut ball.
- Try a waterbirth.
For information on my pregnancy yoga classes please click here: Pregnancy Yoga – Just Exhale or Just Exhale (facebook.com)
