WHAT is Pregnancy Related Pelvic Girdle Pain and HOW do I fix it?!

Have Are you pregnant and struggling to carry out general everyday tasks including walking and housework because your hips, groin and/or pelvis hurts? Well read on because this blog is for you! 

Pregnancy Related Pelvic Girdle Pain (AKA PrPGP) affects 60-70% of women at some stage throughout their pregnancy. Most commonly those between 14 and 30 weeks gestation. As the pregnancy progresses and the baby grows, the intensity and inability to do daily tasks usually increases too. But why does this happen?!

Well firstly, growing a baby ain’t easy! It comes with many physiological adaptations. No single factor has been proven to cause PrPGP however hormonal changes and altered joint mobility have shown to be involved. FUN FACT! The oestrogen produced in a single pregnancy is equal to the total oestrogen produced across the rest of a woman’s life when not pregnant. The rise in oestrogen allows the body to prepare itself for birth by reducing the strength of connective tissue allowing pelvic joints to become more mobile. This is super helpful and important however, like anything, too much of something can often have a negative effect. In this instance, too much pelvic joint mobility can impact how load is transferred across the body, resulting in pain and discomfort on one or both sides of the pelvis. 

Aggravating movements include asymmetrical activities such as stairs, walking on soft sand, turning in bed as they challenge the stability of the pelvis. This can be extremely debilitating, reducing a woman's ability to work, care for other children, and do the things she loves during her pregnancy! Unfortunately this condition is often not taken seriously with only 25% of cases referred for treatment. 

As Physiotherapists we’re here to take you seriously, listen to what you are experiencing and provide help. We can measure and supply support garments such as belts and compression shorts, prescribe stabilising exercises, and use manual therapy techniques to help reduce pain. We also provide education around things to avoid, things to try and prognosis. Majority of PrPGP cases resolve postnatally however, there are factors that can increase the likelihood of its persistence such as: being overweight, asymmetric pelvic joint laxity, and lack of education- not believing it will resolve postnatally. 

If you’re reading this and thinking it sounds like you, please call 8682 6665 and book yourself an appointment with one of our Physiotherapists TODAY. Don’t be in that 75% of women unable to do the things they love during pregnancy because of this condition.