Pelvic pain

Pelvic pain during pregnancy: Explanation and relief methods

Pelvic pain, which may be felt as shooting, throbbing or constant discomfort in the area of the pubis, sacrum, buttocks or inner thigh surface, is a very common complaint in the second half of pregnancy. This condition, known as symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) or pelvic girdle pain (PGP), can significantly affect quality of life, making walking, climbing stairs and changing position in bed difficult.

What’s happening to your pelvis?

The pelvic girdle consists of several bones connected by strong ligaments. The symphysis pubis is a joint that connects the left and right pubic bones at the front. During pregnancy, preparing for labor, your body begins to produce the hormone relaxin. Its main role is to make the ligaments and joints of the pelvis more elastic and mobile so the baby can pass through the birth canal more easily.

In some women this process occurs too intensely, or the joints become unstable. This leads to the pelvic bones moving relative to each other more than usual, causing inflammation and pain. Additional factors that exacerbate the pain:

• Weight gain: Additional weight creates more load on the pelvic joints.
• Shift in center of gravity: Postural changes associated with a growing belly can increase instability.
• Fetal position: The baby's head, descending into the pelvis in the late term (36-38 weeks), exerts direct pressure on the symphysis pubis.

How to differentiate from other types of pain?

Pelvic pain is often confused with ordinary back pain or sciatica. Characteristic signs of pelvic girdle pain include:

• Pain that worsens with movements that require asymmetric loading: walking, lifting one leg, turning over in bed.
• A sensation of "clicking" or "crackling" in the pubic area.
• Pain can be so severe that it interferes with normal walking.

Although this condition can be very painful, it is not dangerous for the baby. After delivery, when relaxin levels drop, the joints stabilize and the pain usually subsides. It is important to know safe pain‑relief methods, such as specific exercises and wearing a support belt.