Pelvic Pain in Pregnancy

Pelvic and Pubic Pain in Pregnancy

What cause it?

The ligaments holding the pelvic bones together become soft and stretch due to hormones (relaxin). This leads to an unstable pelvis. Pain or instability can occur at any of the pelvic joints

• The pubic bone at the front can separate from 2 – 3 mm, this starts from as early as 8 weeks, it can separate as far as 10 mm and this is when symphysis pubis dysfunction is diagnosed.
• The joints at the back (sacroiliac joints) also stretch making this joint unstable which causes pain and dysfunction

Changes in weight and posture also affect the position of the pelvis, which in turn makes it more difficult for the muscles to stabilise the pelvis as they are stretched and weakened. 1 in 5 women will suffer with pelvic instability with about 5% having serious problems

Symptoms Include:

• Pain in the front or back of the pelvis, groin, buttock, thigh, hip and lower back
• Difficulty walking or a waddling walking pattern
•  Pain when standing on 1 leg
•  Pain when turning or twisting
• Rolling in bed
•  Clicking/clunking sounds from the pelvis
•  Pain when opening your legs