Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy

Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints during pregnancy.
Yet many women are unsure what it is, why it happens, or what they can safely do about it.

You might have found this page because you’ve been searching online for answers, perhaps wondering:

• Why do my hips hurt during pregnancy?
• Is pelvic pain normal when pregnant?
• What is SPD in pregnancy?

You may be looking for practical advice on how to relieve pelvic girdle pain or asking whether
osteopathy can help pregnancy pelvic pain.

If any of those questions sound familiar, you’re certainly not alone. Many women across Tunbridge Wells, Kent and Sussex
experience pelvic discomfort during pregnancy and are looking for clear, reassuring, evidence-based guidance.

At One Health Osteopathy Clinic in Tunbridge Wells, we regularly support women across Kent and Sussex
experiencing pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy. The good news is that while PGP can be uncomfortable, it is treatable,
and with the right approach, most women can remain active and comfortable throughout pregnancy.

What Is Pelvic Girdle Pain?

Pelvic girdle pain refers to discomfort felt in the joints and ligaments of the pelvis. It can affect:

• The sacroiliac joints (at the back of the pelvis)
• The pubic symphysis joint (at the front)
• The surrounding muscles and connective tissues

It was previously referred to as SPD (symphysis pubis dysfunction), but pelvic girdle pain is now the preferred clinical term.

According to NHS and Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) guidance, PGP affects approximately
1 in 5 pregnant women to varying degrees.

Why Does Pelvic Girdle Pain Happen in Pregnancy?

Pregnancy creates natural changes in your body that can increase load on the pelvis:

1. Hormonal Changes

Hormones such as relaxin soften ligaments to allow the pelvis to widen for birth. While this is essential, it can temporarily reduce joint stability.

2. Changes in Weight and Centre of Gravity

As your baby grows, your centre of gravity shifts forward. This alters how forces travel through your hips and lower back.

3. Increased Load on the Pelvis

The pelvis must support the growing uterus, baby, and increased body weight.

4. Movement Patterns and Muscle Balance

Research shows that pelvic pain is not simply caused by “loose joints.” Instead, it is often related to how muscles coordinate to stabilise the pelvis.
When muscle timing or load tolerance changes, pain can develop.

This is important: Pelvic girdle pain is not about your pelvis being “out of place.”

It is about load management and muscle control — and that means it can be improved.

What Does Pelvic Girdle Pain Feel Like?

Common symptoms include:

• Pain in the front of the pelvis (pubic bone)
• Pain in one or both buttocks
• Discomfort when turning in bed
• Pain when getting out of a car
• Clicking or grinding sensations in the pelvis
• Pain when standing on one leg (e.g. putting trousers on)

Some women describe it as sharp and catching; others as a deep ache. Pain may fluctuate depending on activity levels, stress, sleep and fatigue.

Is Pelvic Girdle Pain Harmful to My Baby?

This is one of the most common worries we hear in clinic. Reassuringly, pelvic girdle pain does not harm your baby.
It is a musculoskeletal issue affecting joints and muscles, not your uterus or baby’s development.

However, unmanaged pain can affect sleep, mood, and mobility, which is why early support is beneficial.

Evidence-Based Management of Pelvic Girdle Pain

NICE and RCOG guidelines recommend a conservative approach including:

• Education and reassurance
• Activity modification
• Manual therapy
• Patient specific exercises

Complete rest is not recommended. In fact, prolonged inactivity can increase stiffness and pain sensitivity.
The goal is not to stop moving, it’s to move well and load the pelvis in a controlled way.

How Osteopathy Can Help Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy

At One Health Osteopathy Clinic in Tunbridge Wells, our approach to pregnancy pelvic pain is gentle,
evidence-informed and individualised.

We focus on improving how your pelvis and surrounding muscles manage load, rather than trying to “realign” anything forcefully.

Osteopathic Treatment May Include:

1. Gentle Hands-On Techniques

To improve mobility in the hips, lower back and sacroiliac joints, reducing compensatory tension.

2. Soft Tissue Release

Targeting muscles that commonly tighten with PGP, such as gluteals, hip flexors and lower back muscles.

3. Movement Retraining

Helping you move in ways that reduce strain during everyday activities such as turning in bed, getting dressed, walking, and climbing stairs.

4. Stabilising Exercises

Evidence shows that targeted strengthening of deep abdominal, hip, gluteal and pelvic floor muscles improves pelvic support.

5. Advice on Load Management

Simple strategies can make a meaningful difference, such as taking smaller steps when walking, keeping your legs together when getting in and out of the car,
changing positions regularly throughout the day, and using supportive pillows to improve comfort during sleep.

Our aim is to restore confidence in movement, calm the nervous system and reduce pain sensitivity.

Can I Still Exercise with Pelvic Girdle Pain?

In most cases, yes. The NHS and RCOG advise that staying active during pregnancy is beneficial unless contraindicated.

Low-impact activities such as swimming, modified strength training, walking within your comfort limits, and prenatal Pilates are often appropriate and can help
maintain strength, mobility, and overall wellbeing during pregnancy.

Running may still be suitable for some women if symptoms are mild and well-managed, but it should be assessed individually.
Movement should feel controlled and tolerable, not sharply painful.

We work closely with women across Kent and Sussex to modify exercise safely rather than stopping it completely.

Does Pelvic Alignment Affect Labour?

There is often confusion around how pelvic girdle pain may influence labour, but current evidence is reassuring.
Pelvic girdle pain does not automatically lead to labour complications. In fact, many women with PGP go on to have positive birth experiences.

Focusing on improving pelvic mobility and comfort during pregnancy can help you feel more confident, expand your movement options during labour,
and reduce tension that may be linked to fear or discomfort.

Osteopathic treatment aims to support overall pelvic balance and mobility in a gentle, individualised way. Our approach is always supportive and collaborative,
helping you feel prepared and informed rather than following a rigid or prescriptive plan.

When Should You See an Osteopath for Pelvic Pain?

Consider seeking support if:

• Pain is affecting your sleep
• You struggle turning in bed
• Walking is uncomfortable
• Pain persists despite rest
• You feel anxious about movement

Early intervention is associated with better outcomes.
At One Health Osteopathy Clinic in Tunbridge Wells, we treat pregnant women from across Kent and Sussex,
tailoring each session to your trimester and comfort level.

Will Pelvic Girdle Pain Go Away After Birth?

For most women, pelvic girdle pain improves significantly after delivery.
However, some may continue to experience discomfort, particularly if:

• Muscles remain weak
• Scar tissue is present (after C-section)
• Core and pelvic floor recovery has not been addressed

This is where postnatal osteopathy and our Mummy MOT assessment can play an important role.

Pelvic Girdle Pain and the Nervous System

Modern pain science shows us that pain is influenced not only by joints and muscles, but also by the nervous system and how the brain interprets signals from the body.
Factors such as stress, fatigue, and anxiety can increase pain sensitivity, making symptoms feel more intense even without additional strain.

By combining gentle manual therapy, clear education, gradual movement confidence, and simple relaxation strategies, we aim to calm the body’s protective response and
support a smoother, more confident recovery.

Key Takeaways

• Pelvic girdle pain affects around 20% of pregnant women.
• It is not caused by your pelvis being “out of place.”
• Movement, not rest, is usually the best approach.
• Strengthening and load management are key.
• Osteopathy offers safe, evidence-based support.
• Pelvic pain does not harm your baby.
• Early treatment improves comfort and confidence.

Osteopathy for Pelvic Girdle Pain in Tunbridge Wells, Kent and Sussex

If you are experiencing pelvic or hip pain during pregnancy, you don’t have to simply “put up with it.”

At One Health Osteopathy Clinic, we provide specialist pregnancy osteopathy for women in:

• Tunbridge Wells
• Kent
• Sussex