The Masterpiece Mom

Home » Misc » Pain in left pelvic area during pregnancy

Pain in left pelvic area during pregnancy


Pelvic pain in pregnancy - NHS

Some women may develop pelvic pain in pregnancy. This is sometimes called pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PGP) or symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD).

PGP is a collection of uncomfortable symptoms caused by a stiffness of your pelvic joints or the joints moving unevenly at either the back or front of your pelvis.

Symptoms of PGP

PGP is not harmful to your baby, but it can be painful and make it hard to get around.

Women with PGP may feel pain:

  • over the pubic bone at the front in the centre, roughly level with your hips
  • across 1 or both sides of your lower back
  • in the area between your vagina and anus (perineum)
  • spreading to your thighs

Some women may feel or hear a clicking or grinding in the pelvic area.

The pain can be worse when you're:

  • walking
  • going up or down stairs
  • standing on 1 leg (for example, when you're getting dressed)
  • turning over in bed
  • moving your legs apart (for example, when you get out of a car)

Most women with PGP can have a vaginal birth.

Non-urgent advice: Call your midwife or GP if you have pelvic pain and:

  • it's hard for you to move around
  • it hurts to get out of a car or turn over in bed
  • it's painful going up or down stairs

These can be signs of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain.

Treatments for PGP

Getting diagnosed as early as possible can help keep pain to a minimum and avoid long-term discomfort.

You may be referred to a physiotherapy service that specialises in obstetric pelvic joint problems.

Physiotherapy aims to relieve or ease pain, improve muscle function, and improve your pelvic joint position and stability.

This may include:

  • exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor, stomach, back and hip muscles
  • equipment, if necessary, such as crutches or pelvic support belts

These problems tend not to get completely better until the baby is born, but treatment from an experienced practitioner can improve the symptoms during pregnancy.

Coping with pelvic pain in pregnancy

Your physiotherapist may recommend a pelvic support belt to help ease your pain, or crutches to help you get around.

It can help to plan your day so you avoid activities that cause you pain. For example, do not go up or down stairs more often than you have to.

The Pelvic, Obstetric & Gynaecological Physiotherapy (POGP) network also offers this advice:

  • be as active as possible within your pain limits, and avoid activities that make the pain worse
  • rest when you can
  • ask your family, friends or partner, if you have one, to help with everyday activities
  • wear flat, supportive shoes
  • sit down to get dressed – for example, do not stand on 1 leg when putting on jeans
  • keep your knees together when getting in and out of the car – a plastic bag on the seat can help you swivel
  • 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 and squeezing your buttocks
  • take the stairs 1 at a time, or go upstairs backwards or on your bottom
  • if you're using crutches, have a small backpack to carry things in
  • if you want to have sex, consider different positions, such as kneeling on all fours

POGP suggests that you avoid:

  • standing on 1 leg
  • bending and twisting to lift, or carrying a baby on 1 hip
  • crossing your legs
  • sitting on the floor, or sitting twisted
  • sitting or standing for long periods
  • lifting heavy weights, such as shopping bags, wet washing or a toddler
  • vacuuming
  • pushing heavy objects, such as a supermarket trolley
  • carrying anything in only 1 hand (try using a small backpack)

The physiotherapist should be able to provide advice on coping with the emotional impact of living with chronic pain, such as using relaxation techniques. If your pain is causing you considerable distress, then you should let your GP or midwife know. You may require additional treatment.

Find out more on the Pelvic, Obstetric & Gynaecological Physiotherapy (POGP) website.

Labour and birth with pelvic pain

Many women with pelvic pain in pregnancy can have a normal vaginal birth.

Plan ahead and talk about your birth plan with your birth partner and midwife.

Write in your birth plan that you have PGP, so the people supporting you during labour and birth will be aware of your condition.

Think about birth positions that are the most comfortable for you, and write them in your birth plan.

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. You can discuss this with your midwife.

Who gets pelvic pain in pregnancy?

It's estimated that PGP affects up to 1 in 5 pregnant women to some degree.

It's not known exactly why pelvic pain affects some women, but it's thought to be linked to a number of issues, including previous damage to the pelvis, pelvic joints moving unevenly, and the weight or position of the baby.

Factors that may make a woman more likely to develop PGP include:

  • a history of lower back or pelvic girdle pain
  • previous injury to the pelvis (for example, from a fall or accident)
  • having PGP in a previous pregnancy
  • a physically demanding job
  • being overweight

Further information

Find support and advice from other women with PGP at the Pelvic Partnership.

Listen to women’s experiences of pain and discomfort in pregnancy, including PGP, on healthtalk.org.

Read more about coping with common health problems in pregnancy, including nausea, heartburn, tiredness and constipation.

Find maternity services or physiotherapy services near you.

Community content from HealthUnlocked

Pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy

Pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy | Pregnancy Birth and Baby beginning of content

6-minute read

Listen

Key facts

  • Pelvic girdle pain refers to pain or discomfort in your lower back, pelvis, hips, or thighs during pregnancy.
  • This pain can be mild or severe, and you may find you have difficulty sitting, standing and walking.
  • • Pelvic pain is common in pregnancy, but you are more likely to have it if you had back or pelvic pain before you were pregnant, had an injury to the area, your work is physically demanding, you are overweight or you smoke.
  • Your GP, obstetrician and physiotherapist can help you to manage your pelvic pain in pregnancy.
  • Depending on your circumstances, your health team may recommend that you modify your daily activities, wear a pelvic support garment, or they may refer you to physiotherapy and exercise programs.

What is pelvic girdle pain?

Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) refers to pain or discomfort in the lower back or pelvis during pregnancy. The pain may also extend to your upper thighs and perineum. During pregnancy your pelvic ligaments relax, and other joints become more mobile. This can result in pain in the pelvic area. Pelvic girdle pain usually goes away without treatment after birth, though symptoms may return in future pregnancies.

What are the symptoms of pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy?

If you have PGP, you may only have mild discomfort in your pelvis or back. Alternatively, you may have severe pain making it difficult for you to sit, stand, walk and move around. Each person has a different levels of pain or discomfort.

Who gets pelvic pain in pregnancy?

Some people are more likely to have PGP than others. If you had back or pelvic pain before your pregnancy or had PGP in a previous pregnancy, you are more likely to have PGP in your current pregnancy. If you have had a back or pelvic injury, you are also more likely to develop PGP. Other risk factors for PGP include the number of times you’ve been pregnant, physically demanding work, being overweight, emotional distress, or smoking.

Who can help with pelvic pain?

If you are experiencing back, pelvic, or hip pain during pregnancy, you should see your doctor. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history and do a physical examination. It is important to see a doctor so you can be sure that your pain is because of PGP.

Your doctor may suggest that you see a physiotherapist. A physiotherapist can teach you exercises to help you to manage your pain.

If your pain is severe and you are not improving with standard care, you may be referred to a specialist pain service.

How is pelvic girdle pain treated?

There are several strategies that you can use to help you manage and control pelvic girdle pain. First, you can try and identify what daily activities cause you pain and try to adjust or avoid those activities. For example, you can avoid wearing high heeled shoes and standing on one leg. You can also reduce weight-bearing activities like climbing stairs or walking and standing for long periods of time. You can also try to avoid activities that involve straining your hip, like getting in and out of a car or bath, or squatting.

Wearing a pelvic support garment can also help to reduce pain. Pelvic support garments can help to stabilise your pelvic girdle and improve symptoms if the garment is fitted correctly and used for short periods of time. Ask your physiotherapist for more information about pelvic support garments.

You can also ask your doctor or pharmacist about medicines that can help you to manage your pain so you can continue with your daily activities. This may include taking medicines like paracetamol.

Physiotherapy and exercise programs can help to reduce pain too. They may also help to correct the problem causing the pain.

How can I relieve pelvic girdle pain at home?

Many of these pain-relieving techniques can be done at home. Ask your physiotherapist to suggest a home exercise program to help you when you first start to feel a pelvic-pain episode. If your pain stops you from doing essential daily activities, you can take a pain-relief medicine like paracetamol. Taking pain relief may mean that you’re better able to do the exercises that your physiotherapist has recommended. If you have a pelvic support garment, you can put that on.

Applying heat to painful areas and sitting or lying down may help you control your pain. Extended bedrest without the guidance of a doctor is not recommended, so speak to your doctor if you feel you need to lie down for extended periods of time while you’re pregnant.

Will pelvic girdle pain affect labour and birth?

In most cases, people with PGP can have a normal vaginal labour and birth. Your doctor may recommend that during labour you position yourself in a way that puts less stress and strain on your pelvis and hips. For example, you might find it less painful to go through labour on your side or in the 'all fours' position. Usually inducing labour early or having a caesarean section are not recommended. These options may occasionally be suggested in severe cases.

Will I have pelvic girdle pain in future pregnancies?

Not every person with PGP during pregnancy will have pelvic pain again in future pregnancies. However, recurrence is very common. Nearly 7 out of 10 people with PGP during pregnancy have it again in future pregnancies. Unfortunately, your pain may also be worse during future pregnancies.

If you’ve had PGP in a previous pregnancy, speak with your health team to develop a strategy to manage your pelvic pain early. Managing your pelvic girdle pain early can help to avoid pain from worsening as your pregnancy progresses.

Speak to a maternal child health nurse

Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.

Sources:
Department of Health (Pelvic girdle pain), AJGP (Pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy), National Center for Biotechnology Information (Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain: an update), Royal Women's Hospital Victoria (Pregnancy related girdle pain fact sheet)

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: October 2022


Back To Top

Related pages

  • Pelvic floor exercises
  • Exercising during pregnancy
  • Yoga and Pilates during pregnancy
  • Backache in pregnancy

Need more information?

Disclaimer

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering.

OK

Need further advice or guidance from our maternal child health nurses?