Pregnancy Pelvic Bone Pain
Many pregnant women expect to feel nausea or mood swings but are surprised to discover that their condition can bring on a variety of aches and pains as well, particularly in the pelvic area. This particular ailment, called symphysis pubic dysfunction (SPD), is a fairly common problem among pregnant women.
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What Causes SPD?
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Symphysis pubic dysfunction is brought on by a hormone called relaxin, which a woman's body will produce during pregnancy. Relaxin loosens many different joints in the body to allow it to accommodate a growing fetus.
How Does Relaxin Affect the Pelvic Bone?
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In particular, relaxin works to soften the ligaments in the pelvic bone so that during delivery, there's more room for the baby as it struggles to come out. As a result, many women will get the sensation that their legs are detaching from their bodies. For some women whose ligaments become too loose, the sensation gets so strong that it starts to become painful.
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Symptoms
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SPD typically manifests as pain in the pelvic area, which can range from mild to severe, particularly when you are moving your legs in different directions. Separating your legs to get out of a car, rolling over in bed by throwing one leg over at a time or even just walking around could bring on the pain. Most women experience SPD during their second trimester. The pain is not always contained in the pelvic area; in some cases, it might radiate down to the groin and buttocks.
Treatments
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If you are experiencing a lot of pain in your pelvic area, consult your health care provider for possible treatments. You may be advised to do simple pelvic exercises, such as Kegels and pelvic tilts, to strengthen your pelvic muscles. (But make sure you perform pelvic tilts very carefully to avoid injuring yourself further.) It may be suggested that you wear a pelvic support belt, which helps hold your bones in place. Or your health care provider may prescribe some pain-relieving medication. (Never take any medications without your provider's consent, as the ingredients may have adverse effects on your baby.)
Will the Pain Ever Go Away?
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After being pregnant for a few months, many women forget what it feels like to be normal and begin to fear that the ailments they are experiencing will never go away. However, be assured that the pelvic bone pain you are experiencing will cease. You may continue to feel the pain for a few months after delivery, as your ligaments retract and your body struggles to return to its prepregnancy form, but you will eventually feel like your old self again.
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