Some women and birthing people may develop pelvic or low back pain (LBP) in pregnancy; this is often called pelvic girdle pain (PGP) and previously known as symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD). 

This can sometimes continue once your baby is born. 

What is Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP)?

PGP is an umbrella term for the collection of uncomfortable symptoms that occur in the pelvis. Pain can occur in just one or several areas. 

  • Approximately one in five women and birthing people will get symptoms of PGP in their pregnancy and it can happen at any stage 

  • Most of the time symptoms disappear once baby is born. However, some people may continue to have pain after birth 

  • The most common type of pain experienced is lumbopelvic (pain in the lower back and/or back of the pelvis) 

PGP is not harmful to baby, but it can make day to day activities more difficult. 

Common types of pain can include: 

  • burning 

  • deep aching 

  • throbbing 

  • clicking/cracking/clunking 

  • stabbing/shooting 

  • feeling of instability, for example, feeling like the hips could pop out or everything could fall out (although it may feel this way, this is not what is happening. Your pelvis is strong and designed to adapt to your pregnancy). 

The most common activities that women and birthing people struggle with are: 

  • walking 

  • standing on one leg, for example, when getting dressed, using stairs 

  • moving legs apart, for example, turning in bed, getting in and out of bed or the car 

  • getting comfortable in bed and issues with quality of sleep 

  • sexual intercourse. 

After birth, poor postures when sitting for a long-time feeding baby, lifting and carrying baby and baby equipment can put large amounts of strain on the back and pelvis while your body is still recovering which can also cause pain. 

Pain is a complex problem and we know it can have more than just a physical cause; our emotions, previous experiences and beliefs play a part in how our brain perceives pain. 

What can I do to help my PGP or LBP?

There are some things that you can do to help your pain. 

Pacing yourself 

Try not to get all your jobs done at one time. Split your activities up and have a rest in between. Also, try to take regular breaks at work and change the position you are in. For instance, if you work sitting down, get up and move around at regular intervals, or if you work in a job where you are on your feet a lot, try to take short but regular sitting breaks. 

Walking 

If you are struggling with walking, or activities that involve walking, make sure you are wearing supportive footwear. Additionally, try to slow your walking speed and reduce the distance you walk in one go. 

Don't push through the pain 

Try not to push through activities that make your pain worse. If there are any activities that you must do/cannot avoid, following the pacing advice might be helpful. Do the activity in smaller chunks or share the load with your family/ additional support if you can. 

Stay active 

There are many benefits to staying active during and after your pregnancy and pain can make staying active difficult, or impossible. You may need to find the right exercise or activity to help.  

Look at these information leaflets for ideas: 

You can also access exercise advice and ideas from: 

Sleeping 

Place a pillow between your knees when you're sleeping and consider using other pillows to support you behind your back or under your bump. 

Posture 

Think about how you are sitting. Try not to sit with your legs crossed or tucked underneath you. Use pillows behind your back, and if you are breastfeeding you might find a feeding pillow more comfortable. 

Think about how you're moving 

Try to keep your knees together and turn slowly in bed. You can do the same when you are getting in and out of bed or the car. You could also try gently squeezing your buttocks together when you move from sitting to standing or turn in bed. 

Symptoms of concern

For a small number of people there will be a different cause for their pain that needs urgent medical attention.  

If you suddenly or recently (in the last two weeks) experienced any of the following symptoms alongside your PGP/ LBP, you should phone your GP straight away or visit your nearest emergency department: 

  • loss of feeling/pins and needles between inner thighs or genitals 

  • numbness in or around your back passage or buttocks 

  • altered feeling when using toilet paper to wipe yourself 

  • increasing difficulty when you try to urinate 

  • increasing difficulty when you try to stop or control the flow of urine 

  • loss of sensation when you pass urine 

  • leaking urine, or recent need to use pads 

  • not knowing when your bladder is either full or empty 

  • inability to stop a bowel movement or leaking 

  • loss of sensation when you pass a bowel motion 

  • change in ability to achieve an erection or ejaculate 

  • loss of sensation in genitals during sexual intercourse 

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, you should call your GP: 

  • unexplained weight loss (more than 5 per cent of your bodyweight over the last six to 12 months) 

  • night sweats 

  • fever/ feeling generally unwell 

  • new/ uncontrolled temperature and you are less than 12 weeks pregnant 

  • have recently become unsteady on your feet. 

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should call maternity triage at the trust where you have booked to have your baby: 

  • new onset of bleeding 

  • new and uncontrolled temperature and are more than 12 weeks pregnant 

  • ruptured membranes/broken waters 

  • abdominal pain 

  • contractions 

  • new itching, particularly of feet/ hands 

  • reduced foetal movements. 

Accessing Physiotherapy

If you are experiencing PGP or LBP postnatally, you should contact your GP to find out your local referral pathways.