Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy: What Helps and What to Avoid

If getting out of the car, turning over in bed or climbing the stairs has become painful during your pregnancy, you might have pelvic girdle pain. You're definitely not alone - and there's lots that can help.

What is pelvic girdle pain?

Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is pain in the joints of your pelvis during pregnancy. You may also have heard it called symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD). It affects up to 1 in 5 pregnant women.

Common symptoms include:

• Pain over your pubic bone at the front
• Pain across one or both sides of your lower back
• Pain in the area between your vagina and anus (the perineum)
• Pain that spreads to your thighs
• A clicking or grinding feeling in your pelvis

It's often worse when walking, going up and down stairs, standing on one leg (like getting dressed), turning over in bed, or moving your legs apart.

Things that can help

• Stay active within your comfort. Gentle movement usually helps more than complete rest.
• Keep your knees together when getting in and out of the car or bed - swivel your whole body as one.
• Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees. When turning over, keep your knees together and roll slowly.
• Sit down to get dressed, especially when putting on trousers, socks and shoes.
• Take the stairs one at a time, leading with your less painful leg going up and your more painful leg going down.
• Wear flat, supportive shoes.
• Accept help with shopping, housework and lifting older children.

How a pelvic health physiotherapist can help

Every woman's PGP is a bit different, so it helps to have an assessment. Treatment might include hands-on therapy to ease the joints and muscles, exercises to improve the strength and support around your pelvis, and practical advice for work, sleep and daily life. Some women also benefit from a support belt or, occasionally, crutches.

Find out more about pregnancy physiotherapy.

When to speak to your midwife or GP

Let your midwife know if you have pelvic pain. Contact your midwife, GP or maternity unit straight away if your pain comes with bleeding, a high temperature, pain when you wee, or tightenings or cramps, as these may need urgent checking.

If PGP is making pregnancy harder than it needs to be, book a pregnancy assessment at our Bramhall or Northenden clinic.

– Bex Rotheram, HCPC registered specialist pelvic health physiotherapist