What Is Pregnancy-Related Pain?
Lower back pain is a common problem for women during pregnancy. This lower back pain may greatly impact the quality of life of pregnant women. Some researchers have differentiated lower back pain into two forms: lumbar and pelvic girdle. From both, pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain is most common. Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is also known as symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD). The pelvic girdle is a basin-shaped bony part that connects the chest, pelvis, abdomen, and lower back muscles to the legs. People with pelvic girdle pain experience pain in the front and back of the pelvis, around the thighs and hips, at the symphysis pubis joint in the front, and the sacroiliac joint in the back. The severity of the pain may range from mild to severe, affecting pregnant women's quality of life.
What Are the Causes of Pregnancy-Related Pelvic Girdle Pain?
Sometimes, the cause of pregnancy-related pelvic pain is unknown. However, for some people, the pelvic joints get stiff and move unevenly during pregnancy. This reduces the stability of the pelvis and may cause pain and inflammation in the pelvis area. The weight that increases during pregnancy and the postural changes that happen while sitting and standing during pregnancy may strain the pelvis and cause pain during pregnancy. So, it is described as pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain. The risk factors that can increase symphysis pubis dysfunction include
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If a person has a previous history of pelvic pain or back pain, there is an increased chance of experiencing pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy.
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If a person has a history of trauma in the pelvis area may get pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy.
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Pregnant women with hypermobility syndrome are more prone to symphysis pubis dysfunction.
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If the women have pelvic girdle pain in the previous pregnancy, they may suffer from the pain again in the present pregnancy.
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Women who do jobs that require more physical activities may have an increased chance of experiencing pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy.
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Women who have high BMI may experience pelvic girdle pain.
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Women who have been pregnant in the past may experience pelvic pain.
What Are the Symptoms of Pregnancy-Related Pelvic Girdle Pain?
The symptoms of symphysis pubis dysfunction usually vary according to the intensity of the pain as mild, moderate, and severe. Some common symptoms of pelvic girdle pain include
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Pain in the deep pubic area, hips, thighs, lower back, groin, and knees.
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Pain gets aggravated on movements such as walking for a prolonged time, going in and getting out of the car, climbing stairs, and turning over in bed during sex.
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Women with pelvic girdle pain may feel or hear grinding or clicking sounds in the pelvic area.
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Pain may be felt across one or both sides of the back in the lower region.
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Pain may be felt between the vagina and the perineum.
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Pain may radiate to the thigh region.
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Pelvic girdle pain can also affect the sleep of pregnant women, and it also causes discomfort while moving around.
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It can also impact daily activities and cause stress.
Who Experiences Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy?
Certain individuals have a higher likelihood of experiencing pelvic girdle pain than others. If an individual experienced pelvic or back pain before their pregnancy or had it during a previous pregnancy, they are more likely to experience it again in their current pregnancy. Having had a pelvic or back injury increases the likelihood of developing PGP. Additional risk factors of PGP include physically demanding occupations, number of pregnancies, smoking, obesity, and emotional distress.
How Is Pregnancy-Related Pelvic Girdle Pain Diagnosed?
The doctors diagnose pregnancy-related pain, whether lumbar or pelvic girdle, with the symptoms and from some diagnostic tests. Doctors also perform physical examinations to diagnose the root cause of pain. In some cases, the doctors may also perform pregnancy mobility index to diagnose pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy. It is proven that pelvic girdle pain does not affect the fetus inside but can cause long-term pain if left untreated.
How Is Pregnancy-Related Pelvic Girdle Pain Treated?
There are many treatments for pelvic girdle pain based on the location of the pain felt. It is mostly treated through medications at first, followed by recommending physical therapy and some alternative therapies.
1. Medications: The doctors may prescribe medications for pain that are safe and indicated during pregnancy. They may prescribe painkiller medications such as Paracetamol at the recommended dose. It is very safe to relieve pain with Paracetamol during pregnancy at the recommended dose. If pain is not relieved with Paracetamol, the midwife may suggest other stronger medications that are safe during pregnancy.
2. Physiotherapy: Specialized physical therapists who are good at relieving pregnancy-related pelvic joint complaints may suggest more exercise to reduce pelvic pain and help pregnant women move around with ease. The physical therapist may recommend many tips, which include:
- Advice on movements to avoid being affected by pain and teach how to perform activities.
- They recommend strengthening exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor, abdominal, hip, and back muscles to improve balance and stability.
- They also perform hands-on exercises to make the joints and muscles in the pelvic area move evenly.
- Physical therapists also recommend hydrotherapy which means exercising inside the water.
- They also suggest exercises that are helpful during labor.
- They also relieve pelvic girdle pain using acupuncture and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation(TENS).
- They also recommend pelvic support belts and crutches to relieve the pelvic pain.
3. Alternative Therapies: Pregnant women can also try to ease the pain with some alternative therapies, which include:
- Meditation.
- Hypnosis.
- Yoga.
- Massage therapy.
- Reflexology.
Conclusion:
Pregnancy causes many changes in the body in various ways. It commonly causes lower back pain that may be due to anatomical changes, mechanical changes, and hormonal changes. Lower back pain may occur due to pain in the lumbar region or the pelvic girdle. Most women suffer from pelvic girdle pain rather than lumbar pain during pregnancy. It is very difficult for healthcare professionals to differentiate between lumbar pain and pelvic girdle pain. Even Though it is difficult to differentiate, it is easy to treat as both of them can be relieved by suggesting physical therapy, exercises, nerve stimulation, acupuncture, medications, stabilization belts, relaxation, and yoga, depending on the severity of the pain. So, reaching out to healthcare professionals to relieve pain may be beneficial.
