Pregnancy brings many changes to your body, and one common challenge for many women is pelvic pain or pelvic girdle pain (PGP).

What is Pregnancy-Induced Pelvic Girdle Pain?

PGP refers to pain in the pelvic area, usually around the joints connecting the spine and hips. It can develop due to changes in your body during pregnancy, and while it’s common, it can be quite uncomfortable. PGP can make it difficult to move around and sleep, which can impact your mood and quality of life

What Causes Pelvic Girdle Pain?

Several factors contribute to pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy:

• Hormonal Changes: The hormone relaxin loosens pelvic ligaments to prepare for childbirth, which can lead to instability and pain.
• Weight Gain: As your baby grows, the added weight can put extra pressure on your pelvis and lower back.
• Increased Joint Movement: Hormonal changes also cause the pelvic joints to move more than usual, which can cause irritation and discomfort.
• Stress and Fatigue: For instance stress at work, a stressful home life, or no support system. Stress and lack of sleep directly influence your nervous system and can cause hypersensitivity to pain.
• A History of Back Pain: This can increase the risk of developing PGP during pregnancy

Signs and Symptoms

PGP can cause various symptoms, including:

1. Pain in the pelvic area (front or back), which can range from dull aches to sharp, stabbing sensations.
2. Pain while moving, especially when walking, climbing stairs, getting in/out of a car, or turning in bed.
3. Hip, groin or, Thigh Pain that is radiating pain down from the pelvis.
4. Difficulty balancing due to instability in the pelvic region. For instance, getting dressed and balancing on one leg.

How MG Osteopathy can help

Osteopathy offers non-invasive treatments that can ease pelvic girdle pain by focusing on the musculoskeletal system. Here’s how osteopaths can help:

• Gentle Manipulation: Osteopaths use soft tissue techniques to relieve tension and restore joint movement.
• Muscle Relaxation: By relaxing tight muscles, osteopathy reduces pressure on the pelvic area.
• Tailored Exercises: Strengthening the muscles around the pelvis, lower back, and abdomen can help support the pelvis and alleviate pain.
• Breathing Techniques: Controlled breathing helps reduce stress and tension in the body, easing discomfort.
• Pelvic Floor Support: Osteopaths guide you in strengthening the pelvic floor, which is essential during pregnancy.

If pelvic pain is affecting your daily activities, it’s worth consulting an osteopath. We are trained to treat pregnant women safely and can provide personalised care to reduce pain and improve mobility.

Pelvic girdle pain is common during pregnancy, it can make it difficult to move, sleep and function, which can impact your mood and quality of life, but it doesn’t have to be debilitating. MG osteopathy can help you manage pain and improve your quality of life.