Pelvic pain in pregnancy (SPD): what helps

Pelvic girdle pain, sometimes called symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD), is common in pregnancy and can continue after birth. It can make walking, stairs and turning over in bed surprisingly painful, but there is a lot you can do to ease it.

Why it happens

During pregnancy, the hormone relaxin loosens the ligaments around the pelvis to prepare for birth. Combined with your changing posture and weight, this can make the pelvic joints move more unevenly, at the front (the pubic symphysis) or at the back (the sacroiliac joints).

Common symptoms

• Pain at the front of the pelvis, over the pubic bone
• Pain at the back of the pelvis, on one or both sides
• Pain when walking, on stairs, standing on one leg or turning in bed
• A clicking or grinding feeling at the front of the pelvis

Everyday tips

• Keep your knees together when getting in and out of the car or bed
• Sit down to put on trousers, shoes and socks
• Take stairs one step at a time
• Sleep with a pillow between your knees
• Avoid wide stances and carrying heavy loads on one hip

A simple exercise to try

Sit on the edge of a chair with a soft ball or folded cushion between your knees. Squeeze gently, hold for a few seconds, then relax, and repeat several times. As it gets easier, try standing up while keeping the squeeze. Stop if it increases your pain.

How chiropractic care can help

Gentle chiropractic care, carefully positioned for pregnancy with no pressure on your bump, can help with pelvic and low back pain. I work alongside your obstetrician or midwife, and you can read more about pregnancy chiropractic.