The pelvic girdle is a ring of bones around your body at the base of your spine.

PGP is pain in the front and/or the back of your pelvis that can also affect other areas, such as the hips or thighs. You may have head PGP referred to by it's previous name - symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD).

It's a common pregnancy complaint, affecting 1 in 5 pregnancies, and can cause severe pain that affects your mobility and quality of life. Though it can be painful and restricting for you, PGP won't harm your baby. PGP usually improves after birth and most women with pelvic pain in pregnancy can have a vaginal birth.

What causes PGP?

Mainly, it's caused by the joints in the pelvic area moving unevenly. This makes the pelvic girdle less stable, and therefore painful. Pregnancy hormones, particularly relaxin, cause the ligaments in the pelvic area to loosen and stretch, too. As your baby grows, the added weight and shift in posture can also put extra pressure on your pelvis.

You're more likely to have PGP if you've injured your pelvis in the past, or if have hypermobility syndrome, a condition in which your joints stretch more than normal.

How do I know it's Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP)?

While some pelvic pain can be a normal part of pregnancy, you should speak to your midwife or GP if you experience the following:

• it's hard for you to move around
• a clicking or grinding in the pelvic area
• it hurts to get out of a car or turn over in bed
• it's more painful when you move, for example, going up or down stairs
• severe or worsening pain

This could indicate you have PGP and need further advice and treatment. 

What can I do to manage the pain?

You'll likely be referred to a physiotherapist will suggest the right treatment for you. This may include:

• exercises that should help relieve your pain and allow you to move around more easily. 
• manual therapy to the muscles and joints, to gently mobilise or move the joints to get them back into position - this shouldn't be painful.
• warm baths, or heat or ice packs
• hydrotherapy
• acupuncture
• a support belt or crutches.

The following simple measures may also help:

• keeping active as much as you can
• getting rest when you need it
• standing tall with your bump and bottom tucked in a little
• changing your position frequently – try not to sit for more than 30 minutes at a time
• putting equal weight on each leg when you stand
• trying to keep your legs together when getting in and out of the car
• lying on the less painful side while sleeping (don't sleep on your back)
• using a pillow under your bump and between your legs for extra support in bed.

Remember to listen to your body, take care of yourself, and don’t hesitate to seek medical advice if you’re concerned. Every pregnancy is unique, and what works for one person might not work for another, so find what helps you feel your best.

More Resources

NHS website

Pelvic Partnership

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