# What You Should Know About Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy - Link: https://stayathomemum.com.au/wellbeing/pelvic-health/pelvic-pain-during-pregnancy/ - Published: 2019-11-20T20:00:04+11:00 - Author: Clare Whitfield ## _For most mums, the majority of the pain associated with pregnancy comes in the final stages during labour._ > But for a small number of women, that pain is constant and difficult to manage. > This is known as [Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphysis_pubis_dysfunction)( > SPD). It’s a condition that involves a stiff joint connecting the two halves of > a woman’s pelvis, called the symphysis pubis. ## **What Causes SPD?** Doctors believe that SPD is caused by the mix of hormones that your body produces when you’re pregnant, combined with the way you move. If you happen to be someone who moves one side of the pelvis more than the other side when you walk or are otherwise active, the area around your symphysis pubis can get tender. [⌊What you should know about pelvic pain during pregnancy⌉⌊What you should know about pelvic pain during pregnancy⌉[ [via womenandbabies.co.uk](http://www.womenandbabies.co.uk/gynaecology/pelvic-pain.html) ## **What are the Symptoms of SPD?** The most common symptom of SPD is pain in the groin and the pubic area, and this is the sign that generally results in someone seeing a diagnosis. However, SPD sufferers might also experience back pain, hip pain or pain in the pelvic girdle. They may also notice a grinding or clicking sensation around the pubic area, along with pain between the legs and down the inside of the thighs. This leg pain is often worse at night or when the legs are parted, such as when walking, travelling up and down stairs, and so on. [⌊What you should know about pelvic pain during pregnancy⌉⌊What you should know about pelvic pain during pregnancy⌉[ Via necksolutions Com ## **When Does SPD Happen?** SPD can happen at any point during your pregnancy, as well as after you give birth. Most women notice it initially around the middle of their pregnancy, and if they get it during one pregnancy, it’s likely to recur in other pregnancies. In fact, in future pregnancies, the symptoms of SPD might come on earlier and faster, which is why it’s important to talk to your doctor about your condition before you have another baby. [⌊Pregnant woman consulting with a healthcare professional about pelvic pain⌉⌊Pregnant woman consulting with a healthcare professional about pelvic pain⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/young-woman-speaking-with-gynecologist.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1) [via medicalnewstoday.com](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324292.php) ## **How is it Treated?** Unfortunately, there’s no single pill that will treat SPD. Instead, there are a range of different treatment options both to manage the pain associated with the condition and also to improve it. These treatments include: ### **1. Pelvic Belt** A pelvic support belt will likely be recommended to SPD sufferers to help them with support. These belts can be easily purchased online and help to push the pelvic bones back into place when women are pregnant. [⌊What you should know about pelvic pain during pregnancy⌉⌊What you should know about pelvic pain during pregnancy⌉[ [via ebay.com](https://www.ebay.com/p/1pcs-Maternity-Support-Belt-Pregnancy-Women-Belly-Band-Back-Brace-Waist-Abdomen/2274140603) ### **2. Advice from a Doctor** Getting some advice from a health professional is a very integral part of treating SPD. A doctor can tell you how to make day-to-day activities less uncomfortable, and also advise on how to make the birth of your baby easier. Midwives can help to write a birth plan that accounts for SPD. [⌊Doctor discussing pelvic pain with pregnant woman⌉⌊Doctor discussing pelvic pain with pregnant woman⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/pregnant-woman-talking-to-doctor.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1) via parents.com ### **3. Exercises** Very gentle exercises, generally focused on the stomach and pelvic muscles. These exercises help to improve the stability of your back and pelvis. Sufferers might benefit from some hands-on treatment on their pelvis, hip or back to assist with balance and stiffness. [⌊What you should know about pelvic pain during pregnancy⌉⌊What you should know about pelvic pain during pregnancy⌉[ [via parenting.firstcry.com](https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/9-month-pregnancy-exercise-for-normal-delivery/) ### **4. Professional Assistance** SPD sufferers have found relief with acupuncture, osteopathy and chiropractic treatment. Remember, pregnant women should always find practitioners with experience in treating women during pregnancy, and should check with their GP before they start a new treatment. [⌊What you should know about pelvic pain during pregnancy⌉⌊What you should know about pelvic pain during pregnancy⌉[ [via momjunction.com](https://www.momjunction.com/articles/effective-benefits-of-acupuncture-during-pregnancy_0080377/) ## **SPD and Pain Management** One of the most difficult things about SPD is the amount of pain that it causes, and there are a number of misconceptions about managing that pain. While it can feel overwhelming, there are many ways that mums-to-be can effectively manage pain from SPD. These include: * Wearing a [pelvic support belt](https://www.optp.com/Mother-To-Be-with-Insert) * Doing kegels and pelvic ties * Taking care when getting in and out of the bed, car or bath * Moving gently and regularly * Resting regularly and taking the weight of the baby off your pelvis * Avoiding heavy lifting and pushing * Taking stairs one at a time * Getting dressed sitting down If you’re suffering from SPD, you’ll find you grow to understand your own triggers and how to alleviate the pain from these. Remember, SPD pain should not be pushed through or ignored. If something hurts, stop and take a break before starting again. [⌊Pregnancy pelvic pain relief belt supporting pregnant women experiencing pelvic discomfort⌉⌊Pregnancy pelvic pain relief belt supporting pregnant women experiencing pelvic discomfort⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/1014278902-1.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1) [via gadgetcheetah.com](https://gadgetcheetah.com/product/belly-band-pregnancy-back-support-maternity-belt/) ## **What About After Birth?** Women are quite likely to recover from SPD after their baby is born, but it’s a good idea to continue with physiotherapy after birth to address common postpartum issues such as pelvic floor dysfunction, abdominal separation, and back pain. [In home physiotherapy](https://alphaalliedhealth.com.au/services/mobile-physiotherapy-sydney/) after birth is an invaluable service for new mothers, helping them recover from the physical demands of pregnancy and childbirth in the comfort of the home without having to worry on having to go out and think about who will watch the baby. Personalised treatment plans focus on strengthening and rehabilitating the body, ensuring a smoother transition to postnatal health. This helps to ensure that you aren’t experiencing SPD when you aren’t pregnant, although some women do feel painful twinges before their period is due, which is normal. [⌊Pregnant woman receiving pelvic pain massage from therapist⌉⌊Pregnant woman receiving pelvic pain massage from therapist⌉ ](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Physiotherapy-woman.jpg?quality=89&ssl=1) [via mid-day.com](https://www.mid-day.com/articles/how-physiotherapy-help-in-overall-womens-health/19192169) ### _Did you experience pelvic pain during pregnancy?_ [⌊What you should know about pelvic pain during pregnancy⌉⌊What you should know about pelvic pain during pregnancy⌉[ ![author avatar](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/ 12/clare_whitfield_profile.webp?quality=80&ssl=1) Clare Whitfield Chief Editor Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work. [See Full Bio](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/) [ ](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/)