Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain is the name given to pain in the area of the pelvis which starts during pregnancy and usually goes as soon as the baby is born.
it can be as little as a pinching sensation as you turn over in bed or get out of a chair, to a more debilitating pain which stops you walking and being able to be active through your pregnancy.
The pain typically, is felt in any of these areas: the pubic bone at the front of your pelvis, the scar-iliac joints on the right or left at the back of your pelvis (the sacro-iliac joints are the joints below the dimples to right and left of the back of your pelvis), and may include your low back. Sometimes too the pain goes down the outside of the hips and makes lying on your side uncomfortable. The pain may also make your inner thigh muscles feel tight and sore.
You may find people telling you that you need a pregnancy belt. These belts can help but they cost on average $80 to $90 so its worth having an assessment with the Physio to find out if you do actually need one. There are simple tests that we do including, if we think a belt is appropriate, giving you one to try before we do any treatment so you can tell if it will help or not.
But you don’t have to just “put up” with the pain thinking that it is part of a normal pregnancy. It is part of pregnancy for some women but there is lots we can do to help ease the pain for you. We will also give you guidance regarding best exercise to keep your muscles strong and able to withstand the physical work of pregnancy. Remember, the average weight gain of pregnancy is 12 or so kilograms. That’s equivalent to 4 of those 3kg bags of oranges that you see in the supermarket!! So when your partner wonders why you’re exhausted at the end of the day, ask your partner to hang 12 kgs of oranges off their tummy, work all day, prepare a meal, run round a toddler perhaps, and see how they feel after that!! So if you are feeling some pelvic pain in pregnancy, come in for an assessment and we’ll offer help. Please do not feel worried that you will be drawn into expensive treatment every week. With a little guidance, you may just feel fine and know what to do yourself at home. Partners can even learn a few massage techniques too. looking forward to meeting you!