What is Pelvic Girdle Pain?

Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) affects one in five pregnant women. If you have PGP you may be experiencing pain or uncomfortable symptoms at the front of your pelvis over the pubic bone, across one or both sides of your lower back and sacroiliac joints. It can also radiate around the hips and inner thighs or the area between your vagina and anus (perineum).

You may find the pain to be constant, episodic or intermittent. The pain you feel can affect your mobility and quality of life.

Why do I have PGP?

During pregnancy, your body weight increases, and 60% of the weight is above the pelvis. As the pregnancy progresses your centre of gravity shifts forwards due to the growing bump which will automatically change your posture. Alongside this, there are huge hormonal changes that cause the pelvic floor muscles and ligaments to become looser to prepare your body for birth. All of these changes increase the stress and pressure on your pelvis and can lead to PGP. Some women accommodate all these changes well, others find it leads to strain and pain. PGP is normally related to a lack of stability in the pelvic girdle joints, caused by the loosening of the pelvic ligaments and the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles.

What can I do if I have PGP?

The good news is that PGP can be managed, particularly if it is diagnosed and treated earlier.

Some general tips to help manage PGP are:

Listen to your body. Try to remain as active as possible within your comfort limits but avoid activities that make the pain worse.
Rest or change position more frequently. Avoid sitting or standing in one spot for over 30 minutes at a time.
Maintain good posture: sanding tall with your bump and bottom tucked in a little.
Ask for and accept help from others, involving partners, family and friends where possible.
Sleep on your side with a pillow between the legs. Turn over with your knees together and squeeze your buttocks.
Sit down to do things that you would normally stand for e.g. getting dressed and undressed; ironing.
Go upstairs one step at a time with the less painful leg first. Go downstairs leading with the most painful leg.
Wear supportive comfortable shoes.

AVOID

Standing on one leg to put on trousers or tights, sit down instead.
Movements that involve separation of your legs such as getting in/out of bed; getting in/out of a car (squeeze knees together instead); if swimming avoid breaststroke; consider alternative positions for sexual intercourse (e.g. lying on your side or kneeling on all fours).
Asymmetrical positions of the pelvis e.g. avoid twisting movements and sitting cross-legged.
Sitting on the floor or in low chairs.
Avoid lifting a toddler (especially on one hip) heavy weights or shopping.
Carrying anything in only one hand.
Using your feet to move objects on the floor.

What can I do if I still have pain after trying the tips above?

It is important that if your pain does not become manageable with general advice you are referred to a physiotherapist. Here at Physiofit, our Women’s health physiotherapists specialise in treating people with PGP. The sooner PGP is identified and managed the greater the chance of improving your symptoms and making you more comfortable.

A physiotherapy assessment will include a careful examination of your pelvis, back and hip joints and the muscle around them, looking at how well the joints move and whether the muscles are strong enough to support your pelvis and spine. We can offer a range of treatment options and advice options that are specific to you and will fit into your lifestyle.

If you have any questions at all or you would like to discuss your condition, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 01223 914140 or e-mail us on enquiries@vineryroadstudios.co.uk