Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) in Pregnancy: How Myotherapy can help.
Growing a baby comes with all things wonderful, weird and sometimes painful! Due to a multitude of physical changes and hormonal shifts happening in your body through each trimester, one of the most common complaints amongst pregnant women is pelvic pain, or otherwise known as pelvic girdle pain (PGP). Although very common, it doesn’t mean it should be ignored or simply “put up with”. Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) can significantly affect daily life and movement depending on the severity— making simple tasks such as walking, sleeping, getting dressed, or even turning over in bed pretty uncomfortable!
It may sound a little grim but the good news? There are ways to reduce discomfort! Trialing simple position changes and experiencing hands‑on support from one of our qualified therapists can help you move more comfortably through pregnancy and each trimester as your body changes and adjusts to your growing baby. If you’re experiencing pelvic girdle pain or hip pain during pregnancy, support is always available.
What Is Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP)?
Pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy is a term used to describe pelvic pain caused by the instability of the joints and muscles of the pelvis. It commonly affects one or more of the following areas:
The front of the pubic bone
One or both hips
The lower back or sacroiliac joints
The inner thighs or groin
One other major cause of pelvic girdle pain is the surge of a hormone called relaxin. It has a number of important roles but most commonly causes the joints and muscles to loosen and relax in preparation for childbirth. Although this is vital for labour, in turn it may cause joint instability- and you guessed it- the reason why your pelvis can feel so sore!
While PGP can occur at any stage of pregnancy, it often becomes more prominent in the second or third trimesters and can worsen without the right support.
Common Symptoms of Pelvic Girdle Pain
Pelvic girdle pain can present differently for each woman, but common symptoms include:
Pain when walking or standing on one leg
Discomfort when rolling over in bed
Pain climbing stairs or stepping into the car
Difficulty separating the legs
Aching or sharp pain through the hips, pelvis or pubic area
These symptoms may fluctuate from day to day and many pregnant women notice their pain increases with certain movements or toward the end of the day, especially if you have been on your feet for a large proportion of the day. Growing a human is no easy feat so take this as your reminder- your body will tell you when its time to rest - make sure you’re listening!
Positioning Tips to Reduce Pregnancy Pelvic Pain
One of the most effective ways to manage PGP is by keeping movements symmetrical and supported. Small changes to the way you move can significantly reduce strain on the pelvis.
Helpful positioning strategies include:
Move with your knees together when rolling over in bed or getting out of the car
Sit down to get dressed, especially when putting on pants or shoes
Avoid standing on one leg whenever possible
Sleep with a pillow between your knees to keep the pelvis aligned
Keep movements slow, controlled and intentional
Even making these small, simple adjustments may reduce uneven load through the pelvic joints and can assist with minimising pain flare‑ups.
What Makes Pelvic Girdle Pain Worse?
Certain movements or repeated positions are known to increase pelvic strain and can aggravate symptoms. These include:
Single‑leg activities such as lunging or pushing a heavy pram one‑handed
Standing to get dressed
Twisting quickly or asymmetrically
Overstretching the hips or groin
Sitting or standing for long periods without changing position
It is important to note that most of these actions are a natural part of everyday life, especially if you have other children or are still working. Just by becoming aware of these triggers, it may prompt you to change your normal way of doing things and help protect your pelvis from repeating positions that is causing your pain.
How Myotherapy Can Help with PGP in Pregnancy
Specialised pregnancy massage and prenatal myotherapy is pregnancy safe and can be a valuable part of managing pelvic girdle pain. Here at Birthing Body, our myotherapy takes a holistic, whole-body approach by addressing the muscles, joints and posture and how their interactions affect each individual's pregnant body.
Myotherapy may help by:
Reducing muscle tension around the hips, pelvis, and lower back
Improving alignment and movement patterns
Supporting better load distribution through the pelvis
Relieving pain and discomfort
Providing personalised strategies for daily movement and sleep
Treatment is always individually tailored to each stage of pregnancy, your symptoms and comfort level, with the upmost care taken to support both you and your baby.
Get the Support You Deserve
If you are experiencing symptoms of pelvic girdle pain, here at Birthing Bodywe are ready to help. You don’t have to manage it alone or struggle through the pain. With the right positioning advice and hands‑on support, many women experience significant relief and improved mobility. Birthing Body offers pregnancy‑focused myotherapy designed to support comfort, movement and wellbeing throughout pregnancy. We can’t wait to welcome you!
Book a pregnancy myotherapy session today - relief is on the way!
