Pregnancy-related pelvic pain - Painful challenge during pregnancy

Symptoms of pelvic pain can vary greatly from person to person. Some experience difficulty walking and standing, while others feel pain in the pubic bone area or around the sacroiliac joints and/or both. Posterior pelvic pain often feels like pain between the posterior iliac crests and the buttock crease, possibly spreading down to the thigh and knee but not to the foot. Symphysis pain is felt over the pubic bone and often spreads out into the groin, down between the legs, and into the inside of the thighs.

Pelvic pain is usually a new pain that the pregnant woman has not experienced before, and it can feel both like a dull ache and a stabbing pain. The reason why some pregnant women experience this is unclear, but it is certainly linked to the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. There are treatment methods that can help pregnant women with pelvic pain to relieve and alleviate the symptoms. Acupuncture, the use of pelvic belts, and strengthening exercises are some examples.

In everyday life, some simple tips can help to alleviate the pain, such as using a pillow in the lower back when in the car, sitting on a bag to be able to slide out, sitting on chairs where the hips always end up higher than the knees, and keeping the legs hip-width apart and not crossed.

When exercising, it is important to avoid exercises that can worsen the pain, such as crossing the legs, taking too large steps or lunges, and avoiding exercises with unilateral loading. Instead, the focus should be on strengthening the legs, buttocks, back, and core, and doing circulation-enhancing exercises. It is also important to listen to your body and not do anything that causes pain during exercise or the day after.

Symphysis pubis dysfunction can be a painful challenge during pregnancy, but with proper help and treatment, the symptoms can be relieved and make everyday life easier for the pregnant woman.