Pelvic girdle pain
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. It can affect the sacroiliac joints at the back and/or the
symphysis pubis joint at the front. PGP used to be known as
symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD).
Please watch the following YouTube clips about how to manage
pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy, and how to remain fit and active
in Pregnancy. After watching the videos, if you still feel you need
further information or advice please refer to the service.
Managing your symptoms of
Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy
Fit and Active in Pregnancy
Pelvic
Girdle pain and lower back pain in pregnancy
Musculoskeletal pain in pregnancy and up to 6 months after
birth
This service treats:
- Rib pain
- Back pain
- Coccyx pain
- Sacral pain
- Pelvic pain
- Hip pain
- Sciatic pain
Pregnancy related low back pain is a common complaint that
occurs in 60-70% of pregnancies. If you have pre-existing low back
pain this may worsen in pregnancy. Similarly if you have
pre-existing hip or thigh pain this may also feel worse in
pregnancy.
Postnatal low back pain (LBP) and pelvic pain are common
problems in the post-partum period, and these conditions can vary
in intensity from being a mild annoyance to presenting as a
severely disabling condition. The incidence of postnatal LBP has
been shown to range from 21% to 82% in the first year
post-partum
One-to-one physiotherapy can be useful for pregnant women, or
women shortly after giving birth who have musculoskeletal pain. At
this appointment a thorough assessment is completed, and if
indicated various treatments are available. Treatment is tailored
to the individual and can include advice on support bands or belts;
specific strengthening and stretching exercises; breathing
exercises, manual therapy, postural advice, lifestyle advice,
hydrotherapy, acupuncture for pain relief and how to care for your
joints in pregnancy.
Divarication of the abdominal muscles
Divarication/ diastasis recti (also known as abdominal
separation) is commonly defined as a gap of roughly 2.7 cm or
greater between the two sides of the rectus abdominis muscle. In
pregnant or postpartum women, the condition is caused by the
stretching of the rectus abdominis by the growing uterus. The
separation is normal in pregnancy. It is only a problem if the
muscles do not return to their correct position, or if you continue
to 'dome/ cone'. The process of muscles returning to their correct
position normally takes approximately 8 weeks.
Please read the advice leaflet on what exercises to
complete in the pregnancy and early stages post-partum.
If your midwife/ GP or you feel that you have divarication of
the abdominal muscles that is not returning to normal please obtain
a referral for our divarication clinic.
Carpel Tunnel Syndrome in Pregnancy
Due to hormonal changes in pregnancy, the body is more likely to
retain fluid. If this extra fluid settles within the carpal tunnel,
it can compress the median nerve, reducing its blood flow and
stopping it from working effectively. Weight gain during pregnancy
can also contribute to further compression.
Symptoms include:
- numbness and/or tingling in the thumb, index finger and middle
finger
- swelling of the hand and/or wrist
- difficulty performing simple tasks using the fingers, for
example doing up buttons on clothes
- weakness and difficulty gripping objects, for example kettles
and mugs
Please read this advice leaflet.
3rd or 4th degree tear service
During delivery if you sustain a 3rd or
4th degree tear to your perineum we will automatically
refer you into our Obstetric and Anal Sphincter Injury Service
(OASIS).
Continence issues
Please see bladder and bowel section.
