Do you have Pelvic Instability? Pain in your pelvis during pregnancy? You may have PRPGP!
Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain or PRPGP is suggested to occur in up to 50% of pregnancies according to some studies. You may have heard it called pelvic instability however that indicates a fragility therefore they prefer to now call it Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain instead.
What is pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain?
Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain is pain in the pelvic joints that may develop during or after pregnancy.
It can occur due to increased strain placed on your pelvic joints from changes in your posture, increased pelvic pressure from a growing baby or hormonal changes that soften the ligaments around the pelvis.
Pain usually starts around the 18th week of the pregnancy and peaks between 24-36 weeks.
What are the symptoms of pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain
Pain in the pelvis (see picture for common areas of pain)
Stabbing, shooting, dull or burning pain
May radiate into back of the thigh
It may come and go
Clicking and grinding in pelvis, occasional catching in leg while walking
Difficulty walking, standing on one leg, twisting, turning over in bed, sleeping
Can become worse with subsequent pregnancies
Some people may lose mobility and ability to do their daily tasks
Common areas of pain in Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain. Source: The Royal Women’s Hospital
What are the risk factors for developing Pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain
History of pelvic pain or low back pain
Previous injury to the pelvis
History of pregnancy related pelvic pain in a previous pregnancy
Physically demanding job
Increased body mass index
Emotional distress
Activities that may increase your pelvic girdle pain
Prolonged or fast walking
Rolling over or getting in and out of bed
Any movements when you are standing on one leg such as putting pants on, getting out of a car, climbing stairs
Lifting heavy objects
Tips on how to manage pelvic girdle pain
Avoid long walks
Take smaller steps
If going down steps bring both feet to the same step before taking another step
Reduce heavy lifting
Break up large tasks
When getting up from seated use your hands on your knees as support
If you are rolling over in bed, keep your knees together
Sleep on your side with a pillow between your legs
You may ice the painful area for 20-30minutes at a time
Sit down when getting changed
How do you manage pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain
Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain appears to be a self-limiting condition, this means with time it resolves by itself. This condition typically resolves by 3 months postpartum in a majority of women.
However there are things you may be able to do which could help with the management of the condition. This may include the use of physical therapy in the form of manual hands on treatments or exercises, the use of equipment such as braces, activity modification and education and understanding the condition and how to manage the pain.