Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy

Over the weekend, clinic director and physiotherapist Aileen MaGuire was invited by Cow & Gate to speak about pelvic girdle pain and how to manage it during pregnancy. Midwives and public health nurses presented the lecture on PGP in the greater Dublin area.

Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is an extremely common condition, affecting up to 20% of pregnant women. To clarify, it can occur as early as the first trimester. It also may just come on in the final weeks of pregnancy. PGP occurs due to the changes in hormones that occurs when pregnant. When you produce relaxin, PGP can happen. This increases laxity of ligaments around the pelvis, in preparation for the birth of the baby. Pain may be felt at the front of the pelvis at the pubic symphysis, or around the lower back at the sacroiliac joints. Pain is normally worst with walking, standing, climbing stairs and turning in bed.

You can manage your PGP with your physiotherapist management and advice. A pelvic support belt fitted by your physiotherapist can compensate for the loss of passive support. It is provided by the ligaments of you pelvis. Your physiotherapist may also guide you through a series of pelvic stability exercises that can be performed throughout the course of pregnancy.

If you have been experiencing symptoms related to PGP, contact us here to make an appointment with one of our physiotherapists.