Pelvic Pain in Pregnancy: Should You Be Worried?

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Pregnancy is a joyous time in the life of a woman. However, it can be accompanied by bodily discomforts and exposure to health risks. One such issue that pregnant women usually complain of is pelvic pain.

During pregnancy, the body stretches, and the internal organs shift to make space for the baby in the womb. This can cause pregnant women to experience discomfort and pain in their pelvic region. This pain can range from mild to debilitating.

The exact cause of pelvic pain in women due to pregnancy can vary depending on the stages of pregnancy. Read on to know more about this.

  1. Pelvic Pain During the First Trimester

In the first trimester, i.e. 8-12 weeks of pregnancy, you may experience muscle pain in your pelvis and cramps akin to period cramps. This is due to the uterus expanding to accommodate the growing baby. As pelvic pain is also associated with miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy, immediately check for bleeding or unusual discharge. If either of these conditions are present, you must consult a doctor.

  1. Pelvic Pain During the Second Trimester

As the pregnancy advances, the uterus expands. This causes the ligaments surrounding the uterus to thicken and stretch to support the uterus. This gives rise to ligament pain. As you enter the second trimester of your pregnancy, you may develop pain or a sharp jabbing sensation in your sides, lower belly or groin area. The pain is caused as the ligament spanning across the uterus and the groin area stretches to accommodate the growing foetus. You may feel a sharp pain in the second trimester while making sudden movements such as sitting down, standing down and sneezing.

  1. Pelvic Pain During the Third Trimester

Pelvic pain in the third trimester in pregnant women can be caused by the pressure created by the fast-developing foetus. The weight of the rapidly growing baby exerts pressure on the pelvic region and the nerves that run along the vagina to the legs. You may experience pain while moving around or with sudden movements.

  1. How to Deal With It?

Pelvic pain can be eased with some home remedies. Some of these remedies are-

  • Warm baths are a good way to relax muscles and de-stress.
  • Take massages. This will reduce stress and soothe your pelvic pain.
  • Wear comfortable shoes. Avoid high heels and wear flats or low-heeled shoes.
  • Exercise regularly. Simple exercises will prevent pain and keep your body active. Avoid sudden and jerky movements.
  • Wear pelvic support garments. This gives additional support to your baby bump and helps you when moving.

You need to be very careful mindful about pelvic pain during pregnancy. If it is severe or persists for long or if you are experiencing bleeding, nausea, or abnormal foetal kicks and contractions, then you should see your doctor.

Sometimes, you may experience pelvic pain due to other issues such as pelvic inflammatory disease or ovarian cysts. Hence, it is advisable to consult a doctor at the earliest.