During pregnancy, you may develop pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP), which is caused by stiffness in your pelvic joints or the joints moving unevenly. If you develop PPGP you may experience:
- pain at the front of your pelvis, above the pelvic bone
- pain across one or both sides of your lower back
- pain in your perineum (the bit between your vagina and your bottom)
you may also develop pain in your thighs
Treatments for PPGP include:
- exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor, stomach, back and hip muscles
- pain relief such as TENS
- a pelvic support belt or crutches
- physiotherapy
You may also be able to relieve some of the pain by:
- Resting when you can but making sure you remain active as much as possible without exacerbating the pain.
- Wearing flat, supportive shoes.
- Keeping your knees together when you get out of the car – if you sit on a plastic bag it can help you to swivel in your seat.
- Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees.
- Taking things slowly and asking for help from those around you.
It is important to talk to your GP or gynaecologist if you experience pelvic pain during pregnancy as it can also be caused by ectopic pregnancy, which can occur in the early stages of pregnancy (at 6 or 7 weeks). This can be serious and requires urgent treatment.