Most Common Causes of Musculoskeletal
Pelvic Girdle Pain While Pregnant
What makes up the pelvic girdle?
The pelvic girdle is made up of a group of bones that are fused together; the ilium, ischium, and pubis. Each side of the pelvis is attached to the sacrum, commonly known as the tailbone, which forms two large sacroiliac joints on either side. The front of the pelvis is connected together by a cartilaginous joint called the pubic symphysis. The pelvic girdle is home to several organs that are contained by the “pelvic floor”, a group of muscles that’s purpose is to support the organs and also control important actions such as urination, bowel movements, and sexual function.
Understanding the pelvic girdle during pregnancy is SO important! The uterus has several ligamentous attachments to the pelvis, such as the round ligaments and uterosacral ligament, that help to anchor the uterus as it grows and expands for the baby. The pelvic structure, ligaments, and muscles are influenced by several factors during pregnancy such as weight gain, change in posture and biomechanics, and a hormone called relaxin.
What are the most common causes of pelvic girdle pain while pregnant?
Pubic symphysis pain
Sacroiliac joint pain
Round ligament pain
How to manage pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy?
The best way to manage pelvic girdle pain is to seek out treatment from a specialized prenatal chiropractor or pelvic floor physical therapist in your area. Accurate diagnosis, specific manual therapy, and rehab exercises are the most effective for reducing pregnancy-related pains. If that’s not available to you make sure to check out our individual blogs on pubic symphysis pain, sacroiliac joint pain, and round ligament pain for helpful recommendations!
About the author
Dr. Eric Dickerson, DC, FRCms
Founder, Sports Chiropractor
As the Founder and Director of Clinical Development at Radius Physical + Sports Rehab, Dr. Eric Dickerson is a dedicated musculoskeletal provider who blends clinical experience with a patient-centered approach. He integrates functional rehabilitation, evidence-based physical rehabilitation modalities, joint manipulation, and advanced manual therapy techniques to craft a comprehensive approach to your health.
More from Dr. Eric Dickerson →Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about pelvic girdle pain.
What is pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain?
Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain is a musculoskeletal type of persistent pain located at the front and/or back of the pelvic ring. The pain may radiate across the hip joint and the thigh bones. It most often centers around the sacroiliac joints at the back of the pelvis and the pubic bone at the front. Symptoms can begin during the first trimester of pregnancy, at labour, or even during the postpartum period.
What does pelvic girdle pain feel like during pregnancy?
Pelvic girdle pain is often felt as discomfort at the front of the pelvis, a sensation that the pelvis is loose or wobbly, or sudden shooting pain from the front or back of the pelvis. Certain movements may make it worse, such as walking, going up or down stairs, getting in and out of a car, or standing on one leg. It can make everyday activities during pregnancy difficult.
What causes pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy?
The cause of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain is not fully understood and is considered multifactorial, involving hormonal, biomechanical, and other factors. During pregnancy the body produces the hormone relaxin, which makes the ligaments of the pelvic joints more relaxed, and the extra weight carried in the pelvic region adds pressure on the pelvic joints. Reported risk factors include strenuous work, and a history of low-back pain or pelvic girdle pain, including in a previous pregnancy.
Does pelvic girdle pain go away after giving birth?
Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain is described mostly as a self-limiting condition, and the pain usually goes away after the baby is born. In one review, symptoms settled in 93% of patients within the first 3 months after delivery, with only 1% to 2% reporting persistent pain by one year postpartum. A smaller number of women do experience pain that continues or recurs beyond this, so recovery varies from person to person.
What helps manage pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy?
Pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy is generally managed with conservative care, which may include activity modification, a pelvic support belt or garment to help stabilize the pelvis, and physiotherapy or a guided exercise program. Physiotherapy-delivered exercise advice may reduce pain intensity and pelvic-related functional difficulty. Options such as manual therapy, massage, or chiropractic care may also be used to help with movement and relieve pain.
Does pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy mean I need bed rest?
Bed rest is generally not required for pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy. Most people can manage their pain to a point where bed rest is not necessary. Care instead tends to favor activity modification, avoiding movements that aggravate the pain, and guided exercise. Because the right approach depends on the individual, a clinician can help tailor activity and exercise to your situation.
When should I talk to a clinician about pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy?
It is reasonable to let a healthcare provider know if pelvic pain during pregnancy interferes with your daily life. Because pelvic girdle pain can make everyday activities such as standing, walking, and turning in bed difficult, a clinician can confirm the diagnosis and guide conservative management such as activity modification, a pelvic support belt, and a physiotherapy exercise program.
Sources
- PMC "Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain: an update" — tier 2, peer-reviewed PMC open-access review (definition, location, onset, cause, risk factors, postpartum resolution 93%/1–2%, conservative management)
- NCBI Bookshelf "Management of pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy" (NBK573945) — tier 2, peer-reviewed open review (prevalence "1 in 5", physiotherapy exercise advice, non-rigid lumbopelvic belt reduces pain, daily-activity impact)
- Cleveland Clinic "Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (Pelvic Girdle Pain)" — tier 4, patient-facing general clinical reference (symptom quality, aggravating movements, relaxin/weight, "usually goes away"/"within a few months", no bed rest, support belt/PT/chiro, when to tell a provider)
The information on this website is general education about musculoskeletal and movement-related conditions. It is not medical advice or a diagnosis, and it cannot tell you what is causing your symptoms. Reading it is not a substitute for an in-person evaluation, and booking a visit does not confirm that your condition is right for our care until a provider has examined you. This information cannot identify every condition, and some urgent problems can feel like musculoskeletal pain. If your symptoms are severe or getting worse, or you are unsure how urgent they are, contact your physician, call 911, or go to the nearest emergency room. When in doubt, seek emergency care.
