Pelvic girdle pain is not something you have to endure during pregnancy. But did you know that 25 percent of pregnant women will experience some form of PGP during their pregnancy? What is pelvic girdle pain relief do for pregnant women?
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What is Pelvic Girdle Pain?
Pelvic Girdle Pain (or PGP) describes pain in and around the pelvis, most commonly in the groin and the pubic symphysis. Leg and lower back pain are familiar sources of referred symptoms.
The following are examples of how PGP may affect your daily routine:
- Walking up stairs
- Getting in and out of the car
- Single legged activities
- Walking
- Rolling over in bed
PGP can happen for a variety of reasons, including:
- Trauma
- Arthritis
- Rapid weight gain
- Injury
- High BMI
- Weak pelvic floor muscles
Pelvic Girdle Pain Relief
Begin your walk with a smaller step size.
By reducing the shearing forces through your pelvis, you can better manage your pain by reducing stress on your pelvic joints. Take smaller steps.
Use a pregnancy pillow between your legs to help you sleep better.
This technique can avoid backward-twisting movements of the pelvis and reduce pressure on the front of the pelvis.
To get dressed, sit down whenever you need to do so.
As a result, the shearing forces on your pelvis while single-legged standing will be reduced.
Make sure you’re sitting correctly.
Get up from the chair and prop your feet up on the edge of a stool.
Maintain a proper posture while standing.
Many videos and tips are available to help you keep your posture in check. Free PregActive.com trials are yours when you sign up for the service.
Avoid heavy lifting at all costs.
Your back should always have a natural curve, so you should always bend at the hip and knees.
Avoid reclining on the floor with your legs crossed.
Sit on a stool rather than cross-legged if you must sit on the floor.
Walking During Pregnancy
Is the pain in your pelvis worse after a walk? Symphysis pubis dysfunction may be to blame. This joint connects both sides of the pelvis at the front of the pelvis, where the pubic symphysis is located.
During pregnancy, hormonal changes loosen ligaments, allowing for more movement and discomfort. Seek immediate medical attention.
Pain at Night During Pregnancy
Why does my pelvic pain get worse at night? It’s possible that while you sleep, your joints are in a more vulnerable position. This can happen more frequently later in your pregnancy when your muscles play a more crucial role in stabilizing your spine and pelvis.
Your buttock muscles are less active at night because they are resting, so you may experience worsening pelvic pain at that time. The joints may also be vulnerable depending on how you sleep.
Pelvic Groin Pain in Pregnancy
You are not alone if you are experiencing groin pain during pregnancy. Pregnancy-related back pain can sometimes become more intense. When it comes to groin pain in pregnancy, it’s common to blame it on ligament strain or vaginal problems.
If you have groin pain, immediately make an appointment with your doctor or midwife.
Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction
You’ll find this joint between your right and left pubic bones. As the uterus and fetus grow, the ligaments and muscles that hold the joint relax and lengthen. The symphysis pubis becomes unstable due to this relaxation and stretching, resulting in symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD).
Symptoms:
- muscle spasms
- shooting pains in the pelvic area
- sharp, shooting pains in the vagina, perineum, or rectum
- electric shock-like sensations in the vagina or groin area
- clicking in the hips or pelvis
- pain that radiates from one part of the pelvic area to another
Relief Using the Following Treatments:
- chiropractic massage
- acupuncture
- heat or ice to the pubic region
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Will pelvic girdle pain go away?
A: It is possible to alleviate the discomfort caused by pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain in some women. However, in some cases, it can continue after giving birth, and in other cases, the PGP/SPD disappears entirely after your child’s birth.
Q: Does bed rest help pelvic girdle pain?
A: When the pelvic joint separates, it can cause more severe pain. Diastasis of the symphysis pubis, also known as symphyseal separation, can be excruciatingly painful. Doctors often prescribe bed rest and heat to treat this, along with orthopedic and physiotherapy evaluations.
Q: How long does pelvic girdle pain last?
A: Women who suffer from pain in the pelvic girdle or SI joints after giving birth usually experience relief within four months of giving birth, but 20 percent of those women report that their pain persists two to three years after giving birth.
Q: Can I be induced due to PGP?
A: Early labor is sometimes offered to women with severe PGP, significantly impacting their quality of life. It is scarce for the PGP to be so powerful that it prevents the baby from obtaining a comfortable position at birth. In these situations, an elective (pre-arranged) Caesarean section is required.
