Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy (Pelvic Girdle Pain): Symptoms, Causes & PT Treatment
Updated July 20261 minute read
Pelvic girdle pain is pain around the pelvis, hips, lower back, or pubic area during (and sometimes after) pregnancy, often worse with walking, stairs, turning in bed, or standing on one leg. It's common and not harmful to the baby, and physical therapy — with strengthening, support, and movement strategies — helps most people stay active and comfortable. Severe or sudden symptoms should always be checked with your maternity provider.
What is pelvic girdle pain?
It's pain in the joints of the pelvis (including the SI joints and pubic area) during pregnancy, related to changing loads and hormonal effects on the ligaments.
Symptoms
Common features are pain at the front (pubic) or back (SI) of the pelvis, hips, or lower back, worse with single-leg activities (stairs, getting dressed), walking, turning in bed, or prolonged standing.
What causes it / risk factors
Pregnancy-related changes in load and ligament laxity, prior pelvic pain, and certain movement patterns contribute.
How it's diagnosed
A PT or maternity provider assesses the pelvic joints and movement; it's a clinical diagnosis.
Physical therapy treatment
What a PT does. Your therapist improves pelvic and hip control and strength, advises on supportive strategies, and modifies aggravating movements. Exercises & progression (overview). Pelvic, hip, and core strengthening, movement strategies (keep knees together turning in bed), and a support belt for some. Recovery timeline. Many people improve during pregnancy with strategies, and symptoms often ease after birth.
Treatment options compared
PT and supportive strategies are first-line. Your maternity provider coordinates care for any concerning symptoms.
Red flags
Contact your maternity provider promptly for severe pain, fever, vaginal bleeding, fluid leakage, reduced baby movements, or signs of preterm labor.
Frequently asked questions
Sources (3)
- Vleeming A, et al. European guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic girdle pain. Eur Spine J. 2008. — PubMed
- Liddle SD, Pennick V. Interventions for preventing and treating low-back and pelvic pain during pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015. — PubMed
- Stuge B, et al. The efficacy of a treatment program focusing on specific stabilizing exercises for pelvic girdle pain after pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial. Spine. 2004. — PubMed
This article is for education only and isn't medical advice. Always talk to a licensed clinician about your specific situation.