When the pelvic bones begin to diverge during pregnancy. Pelvic pain in pregnant women: causes and methods of elimination Why bones ache in pregnant women

When the pelvic bones begin to hurt during pregnancy, this is a sign that the baby is ready to be born. But such pains are considered normal only at 30 weeks and later. Otherwise, such a symptom indicates various pathologies, including the appearance of adhesions in the small pelvis when expecting a child.

Pelvic bones hurt during pregnancy - is it normal?

Many women perceive pain in the hip joint as an extremely negative phenomenon. They are afraid that such a manifestation will be a sign of premature birth or impending miscarriage. And in some respects they are indeed right.

When during pregnancy, the pelvis hurts in the later stages, this is quite normal. The body is preparing for the upcoming birth. The bones expand and soften slightly to make it easier for the woman to release the baby. Because of this, pulling pains appear.

But when the pelvis hurts - and in the back - and the lower back, it's worth worrying. There are many diseases in which such pain is an alarming signal. As soon as the discomfort becomes acute and severe, see your doctor.

First of all, adhesions in the small pelvis are dangerous for a woman. This concept hides the fusion of connective tissues with each other, sometimes leading to obstruction. It is better to find out about this in advance in order to take appropriate measures in time.

There is also a disease called symphysitis. This is a pathology of the pubic bone, its mobility and intense softening. It is also better to detect it even before the onset of labor.

By itself, symphysitis does not harm the child in any way, but it can cause irreparable harm to the mother herself. The divergence of the pubic symphysis is a complex and painful injury that requires a long recovery.

It is impossible to say unequivocally whether the pain in the pelvic bones is normal. To answer the question of why it appears, too. All this can only be done by an experienced doctor.

Do not rely on the stories of the merchants - it is better to go to the hospital in time. Soreness can be caused by both a sharp increase in weight (which is unpleasant, but not fatal) and a dangerous disease, such as a hernia.

What happens to the hip joint of pregnant women, find out from this video:

Types and nature of pain

The nature of the pain differs depending on the cause of its occurrence. Thus, you can diagnose the disease and understand whether it is worthwhile to see a doctor as soon as possible, or you can postpone it.

Discomfort falls into two broad categories:

  • spicy;
  • not sharp.

The first requires prompt treatment. When the pelvis starts to ache terribly, and the muscles constantly ache, there is a risk of premature birth. In this way, the body signals danger and encourages a woman to be more careful.

With a lack of calcium, the pain is aching, not too strong. A small vitamin complex immediately fixes the problem. Before that, constant fatigue is felt in the legs.

When these pains are normal and caused by the separation of the bones, they are not too severe. In addition to the symptom itself, a change in gait occurs. The woman waddles, bending her back slightly (the so-called "duck gait").

Symphysitis is characterized by acute pain in the pubic and sacral region. With it, the pregnant woman cannot even lift her leg up. Discomfort sometimes disappears, especially when lying down.

Pain is also distinguished by the time of onset, namely:

  • mechanical;
  • starting;
  • night.

The first occurs during walking, sitting or any other load on the limb. They disappear at rest. They can reappear, even if the woman was just lying on the couch for most of the day.

The starting ones are disturbing from the very morning, both with the appearance of physical activity and without it. They can appear when waking up, taking the first steps or getting out of bed. Over time, they subside or disappear altogether.

Pregnant women may experience discomfort during sleep. Sometimes it occurs when you turn on the other side. By morning, the pain evaporates, as if it weren't there.

In practice, combined options are often found. Legs can hurt in the morning and during heavy exertion.

Which doctor to contact

Usually, when a person has a leg pain, he turns to a traumatologist or surgeon. But such a decision is not relevant at 7 or 9 months of pregnancy. Doctors of such a profile will not be able to solve the problem, since they do not have the necessary information.

Moreover, treatment with non-core doctors can harm both your health and the health of your child. Many medicines and ointments are unacceptable for women in position. Non-profile doctors do not always have such information.

Some of the prescribed medications turn out to be useless. Pain at 36, 39 or 40 weeks of gestation is specific. A large part of the ointments will not help, since the focus is deep inside the body.

It is best to report the symptom to your doctor. If you are supervised by a certain gynecologist, make an appointment with him. If the pain is sharp and sharp, try to get there as early as possible, perhaps out of turn.

If you do not have your own doctor, contact the antenatal clinic, where they are attached. They will assign you a specialist who will conduct several examinations and give your verdict.

In the case of mild discomfort, which manifests itself only occasionally, you should not panic. Tell us about it at one of your scheduled checkups. It is not necessary to see a doctor outside of the plan.

Usually, after such a complaint, a biochemical blood test should be prescribed. A simple and safe diagnostic method will allow you to find the root cause of the disease. In accordance with the results obtained, treatment is prescribed. Third-party specialists are involved if necessary. In some cases, surgery is required. So, neglected symphysitis is best treated by a surgeon.

In the early stages, in case of urgent need, you can contact a non-core doctor and be sure to mention pregnancy.

The pain between the legs should not become unbearable. If such a symptom appears at rest, during sleep or in other similar situations, do not hesitate to contact a specialist. Delay can cost the child's life and health!

If the diagnosis is made, your option is recognized as the norm, take preventive measures. Even symphysitis can be treated conservatively if done correctly. First of all, physical education will help you.

Do not exercise too intensely, but also do not allow yourself to be lazy. If an exercise is unpleasant, stop doing it.

Do the complexes in accordance with the period - at 9 months you should not burden yourself:

  1. Sit on the floor, if necessary, press your lower back against a warm wall. Take the so-called yoga pose - the legs are bent at the knees parallel to the floor, the feet touch each other. Relax, sit like this for 10 minutes, do breathing exercises.
  2. Stand on a firm surface, tilt your torso forward. Try to keep your back, neck and pelvis in one parallel line. Arch your back and lower your head, repeat the same, just the opposite.
  3. Sit on your haunches, leaning your back on something if you wish. Spread your knees as far as possible. Remain in this position for a few minutes. It is not recommended to do it at a later date - after 34 weeks.

If you experience pain in your sleep, try to change your posture. You can find a more comfortable position, after which the pain will cease. Try not to lie on your back, doctors do not recommend this position in the later stages.

These methods are capable of relieving even severe discomfort. If necessary, a set of medications is prescribed, but they try to avoid such a decision. Only a few drugs have been fully tested on pregnant women, so the body's response is unpredictable.

Prevention of painful symptoms

So that the pain between the legs on the right, on the left, in the small pelvis and in the lower back not only stops, but does not start, it is necessary to observe preventive measures.

They are not too difficult, do not require much effort and can save you from discomfort:

  • Start taking vitamin complexes. A modern person rarely eats properly and fully, so it is easy to find a small vitamin deficiency in his body. During pregnancy, it becomes critical.
  • Don't overwork yourself. No need to carry weights or walk outside for too long. It is also impossible to stay at home all the time, so it is important to find a balance between the two extremes. Everything should be in moderation.
  • Change your daily menu. Eliminate salty and fatty foods from there. Instead, add calcium and magnesium-rich foods to your diet. Then the bones will no longer be fragile.
  • Don't eat too much. Control your body weight, limit your diet if necessary. The overweight threatens not only with stress on the joints, but also with difficult childbirth.
  • Wear a special bandage at all times. If you don't really need it, do not forget about tights and stockings. They also do an excellent job of their supportive role.
  • Wear only comfortable clothing and shoes. Forget about heels - their maximum height should not exceed a couple of centimeters. And no pointy boats!
  • Use an orthopedic mattress and pillow. Sleep only on them. No featherbeds that are too soft or too hard should be allowed.

Pain in the hip joint after childbirth

Sometimes the discomfort does not disappear even after the birth of the child, constantly tormenting the young mother. According to doctors, this is quite normal. Pregnancy depletes the body, as a result of which various diseases begin to appear in it.

If contacting your doctor does not reveal anything dangerous, continue to follow preventive measures. Try not to carry heavy things. The child needs to be held less in your arms.

Get a full examination. You may be prescribed pills, ointments, or patches to treat your joints.

Conclusion

When such pains appear at 37, 38 or even 34 or 33 weeks of pregnancy, do not worry. But if you have 24-28, or even 6-20 weeks, it's worth worrying. See your doctor and get recommendations for treatment.

Often, expectant mothers complain to doctors about the appearance of pain in the pelvic bones. This manifestation in many women is quite severe. This article will help you understand in what situations and why pelvic bones hurt during pregnancy.

The causes of pain syndrome

Soreness in the pelvic area is a fairly common symptom. It even occurs in women who have not had joint problems before pregnancy.

Such a manifestation may be quite physiological. It is especially pronounced in miniature women with narrow pelvic bones. In this case, such a symptom worries the expectant mother throughout the entire period of pregnancy. Carrying a baby is a special period of life for every woman. At this time, the female body begins to significantly change its work.

The change in many processes is due to the changing hormonal background.

During pregnancy, women begin to release specific hormones that have a biologically active effect on all systems of internal organs.

The pelvic area is the most vulnerable part of the female body. It is in this zone that the baby will develop. Internal female genital organs are naturally adapted for the birth and bearing of babies. However, the course of pregnancy is not always healthy and physiological.

The uterus is firmly fixed in the small pelvis. This is necessary in order so that the process of carrying a baby is painless. However, in many women, doctors identify various pathologies of the ligamentous apparatus of this important reproductive organ.

The growing uterus increases several times during the gestation period. Such changes lead to the fact that the pressure on the musculoskeletal system of the pelvis increases significantly. This condition contributes to the development in the expectant mother of various pathologies in the joints, ligaments and muscles of this anatomical region.

Changes in the joints that occur from the beginning of pregnancy lead to the fact that the gait of a pregnant woman changes. The lumbar spine begins to bend back a little. The increasing load on the hip joints leads to the fact that the woman has a "duck" gait. The larger the fruit, the more pronounced this sign.

One of the main elements of the pelvis is the sacroiliac joint. It is his ability to expand slightly under the influence of hormones that leads to the successful process of expulsion of the fetus during childbirth.

If the expectant mother has any pathologies in this zone, then it will be quite difficult for the baby to be born independently without the help of doctors. In this case, as a rule, a cesarean section is performed.

In the early stages

In some women, soreness in the pelvic area appears in the very first weeks of pregnancy. If the expectant mother bears twins or triplets, then the severity of this symptom will be somewhat greater. Also, this manifestation is much more pronounced in a woman who "carries" a rather large baby in her tummy.

For many expectant mothers, the pelvis only hurts when walking. In this case, the ligamentous apparatus suffers the most. Strong physical exertion can also provoke the appearance of this unfavorable symptom.

Improperly selected workouts only contribute to the fact that the pain in the pelvic region increases.

Many women experience pelvic pain after lifting weights. A severe cough that occurs with a wide variety of pathologies can also lead to soreness in this area.

Frequent adverse symptoms in early pregnancy are of great concern to the expectant mother. Over time, she begins to adapt to them, and closer to childbirth, they already appear much less.

At a later date

In the second trimester of pregnancy, expectant mothers often experience severe soreness in the coccyx area. A baby growing in the mother's womb leads to the fact that this bone in a woman begins to strongly shift back.

If, before the onset of pregnancy, the expectant mother had any fractures or injuries to this part of the spine, then the pain syndrome in this case will be much greater.

Quite often, women note that the peak of such pain occurs at 38-39 weeks of pregnancy. This can be explained by the rather large size of the fetus and the preparation of the female body for childbirth.

The last few vertebrae of the lumbar spine can also cause the expectant mother to feel soreness in the pelvic area. This is facilitated by the peculiarity of the innervation of this anatomical zone.

Usually, pain in this area begins to manifest itself in expectant mothers by 30-32 weeks of pregnancy, when the baby is already large enough. If a woman is pregnant with twins, then this symptom will appear much earlier.

Not only pathologies of the musculoskeletal system can lead to the development of pain in the pelvic region. Even diseases of the reproductive organs can cause pain in the pelvic region.

Adhesions in the pelvis can also cause pain. Various pathologies of the female genital organs, which were treated with the help of gynecological surgical methods, lead to the development of such a condition. Operations performed on the pelvic organs significantly increase the appearance of adhesions in the small pelvis.

Only a doctor can identify this condition. Surgical treatment is required to eliminate pelvic adhesions. The choice of tactics in this case is carried out by an obstetrician-gynecologist who observes the future mother.

Quite often, the treatment of adhesions in the small pelvis is carried out after childbirth.

Symptoms

The duration of the pain syndrome varies. In most cases, it lasts no more than a few hours. In some women, the pain syndrome is "shooting", and it goes away in 20-30 minutes. A woman may complain of a pulling pain. In this case, soreness can spread to the groin area or legs. With a change in body position, this symptom only intensifies.

A growing baby contributes to the fact that the uterus that grows in size has a strong effect on the internal genital organs located in the small pelvis. As a rule, this is manifested by increased urination or persistent constipation. These symptoms are most common during the later stages of pregnancy.

The change in the angles of the hip joints is especially pronounced by the fact that a woman begins to walk straight, straightening her back strenuously. This is clearly seen by the time the child is born.

It is important to note that the expectant mother instinctively chooses the correct posture that does not bring any pain to the woman. In the later stages of pregnancy, it becomes more difficult for a woman to get up or sit down. Side bends or downward bends can also contribute to soreness in the pelvic region.

What to do?

In order to reduce soreness in the end portions of the lumbar-coccygeal spine, a woman should sit or lie only on hard surfaces. Too soft mattress or long sitting in your favorite chair can lead to increased pain.

It often happens that natural childbirth in the presence of pathologies of the musculoskeletal system is prohibited by doctors. Various pathologies of the ligaments of the hip joint and inflammatory diseases of the muscular apparatus can lead to a woman having a cesarean section.

Many expectant mothers are afraid of surgical obstetrics. You should not be afraid of a cesarean section, especially in the presence of various pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. In this case, doctors will make an incision, making it easier for the baby to be born.

If a woman has signs of symphysitis, doctors will recommend a caesarean section. Natural childbirth in this case can even contribute rupture of ligaments. In such a situation, doctors will apply stitches. After giving birth, a woman can spend about 6 months, observing strict bed rest. This time is necessary for the healing and restoration of the ligamentous apparatus of the pelvis.

In order to identify this pathological condition, doctors must determine the degree of divergence of the symphysis. If this clinical sign does not exceed 2 cm, then you should not worry. In such a situation, as a rule, doctors allow the expectant mother to give birth herself, without a cesarean section.

During natural childbirth, the baby begins to actively move along the mother's genital tract. This leads to additional divergence of the pelvic bones. This process develops gradually, as the baby moves along the genital tract. This physiological response is due to nature in order so that the woman and her baby do not have any damage during childbirth.

In order to reduce the possibility of pain in the pelvic region, doctors recommend that expectant mothers reduce the intensity of physical activity. Pregnant women with soreness in the pelvic area should not lift weights and climb several stairways.

The use of a roller helps to reduce pain for many women. This pillow can be placed under your feet or under your knees. Doctors also call this position the "frog" pose.

Adverse symptoms appear quite often in women in whom the muscular frame of the back is not well expressed. You can strengthen your muscles with a special set of exercises. Also, yoga exercises for pregnant women are suitable for strengthening the muscles of the back and pelvis.

A very unfavorable sign is that a woman still has soreness in the pelvic region after the birth of the baby. In this case requires a mandatory consultation with a doctor. In such a situation, an x-ray of the pelvic bones may be required.

In difficult diagnostic cases, doctors recommend a CT or MRI scan. These highly accurate diagnostic methods establish various pathologies at the earliest stages of their formation. A doctor-rheumatologist deals with joint problems. If necessary, this specialist can refer the woman for additional diagnostics.

It is important to remember that long-term use of pain relievers can be very dangerous.

Such funds can lead to the development of inflammation of the walls of the stomach, and also contribute to the appearance of erosive processes in the gastrointestinal tract.

Pain relievers should only be taken on the advice of a doctor. If a woman takes such funds on her own every day and several times a day, this is already a significant reason to see a doctor.

If during pregnancy or after childbirth a woman was diagnosed with any pathology of the musculoskeletal system, doctors may prescribe her chondroprotectors... These funds are necessary in order to reduce pain in the pelvic region, as well as prevent further destruction of cartilage and ligamentous apparatus.

For information on why the hip joint hurts during pregnancy, see the next video.

Especially in the later stages. The reason for this in most cases is quite physiological, but this will not diminish your suffering and will not relieve you of pain - you will have to endure. Pelvic pain during pregnancy is one of those symptoms that disappears after the birth of the baby, but while you are carrying the baby, any measures will only slightly alleviate the discomfort, completely unpleasant sensations will not go away. Moreover, after the birth of the crumbs, these pains often persist for another six months, despite all the measures taken.

Why the pelvis hurts during pregnancy The onset of pregnancy means the need for the whole body of a woman to adapt to the new load, and the biggest changes occur in the genital area, the uterus with a baby growing in it in a short 9 months increases from the size of a woman's fist to the size of a large watermelon. Pelvic pain during pregnancy may appear early. Their cause is a sprain of the round uterine ligaments. The uterus is fixed in the pelvis with a whole complex of ligaments, the main ones are on the sides of the uterus, preventing it from deviating forward. The uterine ligaments are formed by connective tissue, the same as all the other ligaments and tendons in the body. The connective tissue is notable for its low ability to stretch, in the body it acts as a kind of scaffolds that fix the organs in their places, strengthens the joints ... Nature has foreseen that the uterus will grow and the connective tissue will have to stretch, despite the fact that this is usually not typical of it. A special hormone relaxin appears in a woman's blood in large quantities, due to which the extensibility of these tissues increases significantly. Unfortunately, this hormone also affects other ligaments, so leg pain during pregnancy has also become common. Sprained pains bother the entire pregnancy, they can be quite sharp, occur on the right or left, and disappear almost immediately with a change in body position. At the same time, the uterus remains relaxed and soft, this pain differs from the threat of miscarriage. As a rule, by the last weeks, women are already so accustomed to the pain of the ligaments that they stop noticing them, because there is a large number of much less pleasant sensations. From about 17-20 weeks, changes in the pelvic area go so far that it becomes unstable. At first, such an expansion of the pelvis during pregnancy is reflected only in the woman's gait, the pelvic bones diverge during pregnancy, become mobile, and now, when walking, you have to throw the body back, and the gait itself becomes waddling, a little duck. At the same time, there are no unpleasant sensations yet, only there is a desire to get rid of high-heeled shoes, even among those who cannot imagine life without them. The pelvic bones during pregnancy do not change by themselves, the only thing that can happen to them is the loss of calcium. This, of course, can to some extent affect the appearance of painful sensations, but the consumption of calcium supplements in excess will lead to the fact that the child will have very dense bones of the skull and small fontanelles. Calcium deficiency is assigned a certain role in the development of symphysopathy, and calcium supplements are prescribed for pregnant women for these pains. In this case, the painful sensations often become less. It is important to understand that everything should be in moderation, an excess of calcium is also dangerous, do not exceed the dosage prescribed by the doctor. The divergence of the pelvic bones during pregnancy occurs mainly due to changes in soft tissue structures, and this is the symphysis, the dense cartilage connecting the pelvic bones in front, where the pubis is, and the ilio-sacral joints between the sacrum and the rest of the pelvic bones, they are normally immobile and relax only in pregnant women. As the pregnancy progresses, the ligaments in the pelvic joints relax more and more. To better understand where and why it hurts, look at the picture:

Most of all, the pelvis diverges during pregnancy in the symphysis area. This is necessary for the baby to be born, the movable symphysis gives at least 1 cm to the width of the pelvic ring during childbirth, and only because of this the baby's head can pass through the birth canal (in non-pregnant women, the distance in the narrowest part of the pelvis is only 8.5 cm, and the narrowest part of the child's head is 9.5 cm wide). This discrepancy is the cause of pain in the area of ​​the pubis and symphysis. With a calcium deficiency and a violation of the hormonal background, pathology develops - symphysitis, in which the changes are excessive and can lead to rupture of the symphysis during childbirth. Expansion of the pelvis during pregnancy is impossible if there is no mobility in the sacroiliac joints. On the lateral surface of the sacrum, there are rather wide flat areas that are tightly connected to the same areas on the ilium, and normally these joints are completely immobile. Due to relaxin, the ligaments connecting them acquire sufficient elasticity so that the pelvis can open like a book to the sides as far as the symphysis will allow during childbirth. But this mobility, so necessary in childbirth, is the reason that the pelvic bones ache during pregnancy in the sacrum area. Pelvic pain before childbirth can be so severe that it will even be difficult for you to sit and lie down, it is a dull, aching pain that sharply increases with movement. The expansion of the pelvic bones during pregnancy also affects the tailbone. This small bone has a sedentary articulation with the sacrum and is usually strongly deflected into the pelvis. At the time of childbirth, she would interfere with the birth of the baby and could even dislocate or break if it were not for the adaptive relaxation of the sacrococcygeal joint. In pregnant women, the tailbone easily deviates backward, this will be very important when the baby passes through the birth canal, the tailbone will not interfere. Caused by the mobility of the tailbone, pelvic pain before childbirth occurs with prolonged sitting, especially on a soft one, for example, in a car or in a chair. The growing tummy finds support on the bones of the pelvis. The entire weight of the uterus and the baby rests on the pelvic bones and organs that are located in its cavity. Frequent urination and bowel problems occur, usually constipation, but these are not all problems that are caused by the restructuring associated with a heavy uterus. Now the entire musculoskeletal system works in different conditions, the center of gravity of the body has changed. Very often in women during pregnancy, the pelvis hurts in the area of ​​its connection with the last lumbar vertebra. This is commonly referred to as low back pain, or lower back pain. Divergence of the pelvis during pregnancy also applies to this, probably the main articulation, the lumbosacral. Here, too, mobility increases, and this joint has to work in new conditions not only during childbirth, but also when carrying a baby - you now walk leaning back and proudly straightening your back. In non-pregnant women, the lumbosacral articulation forms a rather acute angle protruding into the pelvis, which during childbirth prevents, not only the child's progress, even the insertion of the head is impossible. It is called the promontorium. During childbirth, the pelvis should form a single plane with the spine, and this joint also acquires greater mobility than usual. If a woman gives birth without doctors, she intuitively assumes positions in which the baby's progress is not difficult: gets up, squats, leans on something, leaning forward. In the maternity hospital, to straighten the axis of the birth canal, polters are placed under the butt - special pillows. But even before labor begins, the increased mobility of this joint can cause pain, especially if you have weak back muscles or have had spinal problems before. Physiological reasons, we probably remembered everything, but the fact that the pelvis expands during pregnancy is not the only possible source of pain. Why else can there be pain in the pelvis? If you have previously had genital inflammatory disease or peritonitis, there may be adhesions in the small pelvis. Adhesions are connective tissue bridges between organs. In addition to the fact that they can cause problems with conception, they can cause discomfort during pregnancy, because the growing uterus will stretch them. Pelvic adhesions and pregnancy mean that you may experience quite a lot of discomfort, while it will be difficult to cope with it, since adhesions are a completely material phenomenon, which is essentially eliminated only by surgery. Fortunately, pregnancy hormones make them more elastic, which allows most moms to safely get to the bitter end of childbirth. In some women, a growing fetus causes varicose veins not only of the lower extremities, due to compression, varicose veins of the small pelvis also develop. During pregnancy, it can be a problem only during a cesarean section, increasing the risk of bleeding, and after the appearance of the baby it goes away on its own. Varicose veins cause heaviness in the pelvis during pregnancy and edema of the labia, the appearance of varicose veins in the genital area and vagina. Many women suffer from pelvic muscle pain during late pregnancy, these pains are associated with the pressure of the head on the perineum and are not dangerous. Childbirth Childbirth is the end of the gestation period, natural and inevitable. Unfortunately, childbirth is almost never completely painless, unless it is specifically anesthetized. During pregnancy, the pelvis is prepared for the tests that he will have to undergo in childbirth. Sometimes, due to changes in the pelvic area, doctors choose a cesarean section, the main reason is symphysitis (symphysopathy of pregnant women), in which a complete rupture of the symphysis is possible, but in most cases all changes on the part of the symphysis are only beneficial and facilitate the appearance of the baby. When labor begins, the pelvis first experiences increasing pressure from the baby's head, it gradually penetrates into its small part and, under the pressure of contractions and the pressure of the fetus, the pelvic bones diverge. The increase in the internal diameter of the pelvis can be 1-3 cm only due to the stretching of the symphysis and the sacroiliac joints, which is why women with a narrow pelvis often successfully give birth to children themselves. During childbirth, the pelvis diverges temporarily, almost immediately after the baby passes through the birth canal, elastic ligaments return him to a normal state. But this only happens normally, sometimes the expectant mother is unlucky and complications occur. A little deviation from the topic. In the 18-19 centuries, when the use of cesarean section was rare, and most often ended sadly, which is why it was used, if it was used, then only in cases when it was too late to talk about saving the mother's life, a method called symphysotomy was used. In this case, the symphysis of a woman in labor was deliberately dissected so that the baby could be born even if the pelvis was very narrow for him. It was a serious birth trauma that was bedridden for six months or more, but saved the life of both the mother and the baby. Now this method is not used at all, since it is inherently barbaric and carries the risk of severe complications, for example, with damage to the urethra. But ... such an injury can happen on its own, it is called a rupture of the symphysis. If a woman has a pelvic pain before childbirth, the doctor's task is to exclude symphysitis and the risk of rupture of the symphysis during childbirth. On examination, attention is paid to the degree of bone divergence in the symphysis region, if it does not exceed 1 cm and the fetus is of normal size, provided that the pelvic size is normal, childbirth is allowed, in other cases, an indication for cesarean section is given in order to avoid complications. After childbirth Childbirth is over, and it seems that everything should go away, but often women complain up to six months that they have pelvic bones pain after childbirth. The discrepancy of the pelvic bones after childbirth may not go away immediately, because the symphysis was subjected to significant stretching and at the same time microtrauma is quite likely, and the calcium deficiency in the body can persist for a long time, because the mother is breastfeeding. If your pelvic bones are badly parted during childbirth, and you experience pain when walking, it is difficult to climb stairs, roll over in bed, you need to see an orthopedist. Usually, a special orthosis is prescribed - a pelvic fixator, which relieves pain during the recovery period. Obviously, while you are breastfeeding, you should not drink painkillers - you can harm the baby. Pelvic pain after childbirth usually stops within 2 to 6 months after the baby is born. For this entire period, it is necessary to reduce physical activity to a minimum, and it is better to sleep with a roller placed under the knees in the position of a frog. In this position, the pelvic bones after childbirth are in the most physiological position and recovery is faster, and you are less worried about pain. Prevention Prevention should begin even before conception - with strengthening the musculoskeletal system, training the back muscles and proper nutrition, which creates a calcium depot in the bones and guarantees enough vitamins for a successful pregnancy. The onset of pregnancy will require you to pay attention to any symptoms at an early stage. If the pelvic bones hurt during pregnancy, they can be alleviated to some extent by wearing a bandage, gymnastics and restricting walking over long distances. Eating a healthy diet can help to provide enough calcium for you, but remember that excess calcium is dangerous in the last weeks of pregnancy. During pregnancy: - Already at the beginning of pregnancy, it is worth giving up high heels, shoes should be stable and comfortable. - Try not to gain excess weight - this exacerbates the complaints. - Avoid walking on stairs, as well as asymmetric postures, in general, you are better off standing and walking as little as possible. - If you are sitting, do not cross your legs, and do not raise your knees above the level of the pelvis. - Sleep and sit on a hard, in case of pain, lie down on a hard. - If, when turning in bed, you feel pain in the pelvis, turn the shoulder girdle first, and only then gently the pelvis. - In case of pain relieves the condition of reducing the pressure of the baby on the pelvis - this is easily achieved by a pillow placed under the buttocks. Follow your doctor's recommendations for taking calcium supplements and wear a prenatal brace. Do not smear anything or drink any pills without consulting your gynecologist.

A pregnant woman experiences a variety of sensations throughout the 9 months of gestation. The first movements and kicks, movements of little heels are some of the most pleasant and touching moments. The reverse side of the coin is toxicosis, heartburn, pain in the groin, ligaments, bones.

Why does a woman have pelvic pain during pregnancy? When do groin pain occur during pregnancy? How to get rid of this phenomenon?

Causes of pain in the pelvic bones and ligaments during pregnancy

A woman usually begins to voice her complaints about painful sensations in the pelvic region during pregnancy for the first time at a later date. The constantly increasing load on the pelvic organs, and, accordingly, the musculoskeletal system affects the condition of the pregnant woman before childbirth. The occurrence of painful sensations between the legs in the groin area may be associated not only with physiological reasons. Pain is also a manifestation of pathological changes in the body - inflammatory processes or infectious diseases.


In the early stages

At the very beginning of pregnancy, the weight of the fetus is so small that the woman does not feel absolutely any discomfort. If pain in the groin appears at an early stage, this indicates the formation of a corpus luteum cyst on one of the ovaries. This condition does not pose a threat to the embryo.

The patient needs to take care of herself - to moderate physical activity, regularly observe the growth of the cyst with a specialist. In most cases, the corpus luteum cyst heals on its own after a few weeks / months. Pain and other discomfort in the bones are also experienced by patients with chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, for example, those suffering from osteochondrosis.

Another possible cause of discomfort between the legs is a lack of calcium. This problem is easy to spot because in this case, the patients have bone pain during pregnancy, mainly at night. At the same time, the pains are aching, protracted, excruciating.


At a later date

Pain and other discomfort in the bones and ligaments after 30 weeks are mainly associated with the increased load and preparation of the body for childbirth, as a result of which there is a gradual separation of bones and sprains. A woman in a position should not ignore pain.

Pathological causes that require immediate medical attention include:

  • Inflammation of the lymph nodes. Before starting a therapeutic course, the doctor needs to identify the cause of the inflammation and eliminate it.
  • Inguinal hernia. The pain affects the entire abdomen, the woman feels acute attacks in the upright position of the body. The main symptom is a round or oval bulging area in the groin.
  • Chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system - osteochondrosis, arthritis, radiculitis. All of these lesions are accompanied by mild aching pain in the neck, lower back, or joints.
  • Infectious diseases in the organs of the little pelvis. Inflammatory processes in the ovaries, rectum affect the condition of the ligaments and pelvic bones.
  • Diseases of the kidneys and bladder - urolithiasis, pyelonephritis, renal colic. These causes are most common in pregnancy.
  • Varicose veins in the groin. In this case, the pain between the legs may be aching, throbbing, and the condition of the pregnant woman may be accompanied by a feeling of heaviness.
  • Genital herpes. This viral disease interferes with natural delivery due to the risk of infection of the fetus, the disease can cause groin pain.
  • Appendicitis. In addition to severe and acute pain in the pelvic bones, a woman is worried about vomiting, nausea, dizziness, and fever.


Symphysitis, its degrees and accompanying symptoms

Symphysitis, or symphysiopathy, is a complication in which the pubic bones diverge and soften ahead of time. Before pregnancy, the pubic bone looks hard, it consists of two parts, tightly closed together, which cover the urethra and bladder. For the safe passage of the baby through the birth canal, the pubic bones gradually soften and slowly diverge by 5 mm, remaining mobile. If the baby is large, the discrepancy can reach 10 mm. At the end of childbirth, the bones gradually return to their places, acquiring their former density.

If the discrepancy of the pubic bones exceeds 6 mm, the gynecologist diagnoses "symphysiopathy" (we recommend reading: why does the pubic bone hurt during pregnancy?). Depending on the indicator of the discrepancy, doctors diagnose the following degrees of the disease:

  • 1 degree - 6-8 mm;
  • 2nd degree - 8-10 mm;
  • 3rd degree - 10 mm.


Symphysiopathy is difficult to confuse with other diseases - the disease is asymptomatic in very rare cases. The onset of the disease is usually accompanied by the following symptoms:

  • Pain. Initially, the patient has intermittent pain between the legs (sometimes its location is not precisely determined). Some doctors confuse this manifestation with a sign of osteochondrosis or sciatica. Acute pain is felt when walking up stairs or standing upright for a long time. Bones hurt regularly, regardless of body position, if the separation of the bones is significant.
  • Clicks and grinding in the pubic area. These symptoms usually occur when turning, bending, and moving the pelvis.
  • Swelling. In the last weeks, gynecologists often notice pubic swelling on examination. In addition, the patient at the same time feels severe discomfort when palpating the vagina.

Ways to Ease Pain

Pain in the pelvic bones and groin during pregnancy causes severe discomfort in women, which makes them very irritable. In this case, the pregnant woman should consult a doctor for recommendations. If the patient has pain and pulls in the pelvis, gynecologists, as a rule, give the following advice:


  • Decreased physical activity. If a patient has pain and aching bones when walking, experts usually advise her to exclude or limit physical activity - carrying heavy bags, walking long distances, prolonged exercise in the gym, etc.
  • Change of body position once an hour. Women in a position like to watch movies or read literature. All this time they usually stay in one position - sitting or lying. In order to get rid of obsessive pain between the legs, a pregnant woman should change position as often as possible.
  • Reception of calcium and vitamin D. Painful sensations in the bones and ligaments indicate a deficiency of these microelements, therefore, the normalization of the state becomes possible only after their use.
  • Physiotherapy. A pregnant woman can do it both in a professional fitness center and at home. The basic rule for the expectant mother is not to overdo it and listen to the signals of her body. Gymnastics includes the following exercises - raising the pelvis with closed knees in the supine position, raising and bringing the knees to the buttocks in the starting position, as well as the well-known "kitty".
  • Therapy in a hospital setting. Severe pain, even after taking the above measures, requires hospital treatment. The therapeutic course includes physiotherapy, medical bandaging, pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Prevention of pain in the pelvic bones in pregnant women

Discomfort in the groin on the left or right, pain in the ligaments are common complaints of patients in late pregnancy. These manifestations are not only an additional cause for unrest, but in some cases require therapy in a hospital setting. The only sure way to avoid unpleasant symptoms is to prevent them. Prevention of pain in the bones and ligaments of the pelvis includes the following measures:

  • Taking vitamins. In the last weeks, an actively growing baby needs more nutrients. During this period, many pregnant women happily eat chalk, which indicates a lack of calcium in the body. Its deficiency leads to the development of symphysitis. In order to avoid this, a woman in a position should not neglect the doctor's recommendations regarding the intake of vitamins throughout the entire period of pregnancy.
  • Balanced diet. A woman needs to diversify her diet with foods enriched with useful microelements - low-fat cottage cheese and cheese, seafood, dietary meats, herbs.
  • Weight control. Excessive weight during pregnancy puts additional stress on the bones. At each scheduled visit to the doctor, the nurse measures the patient's weight. There are certain limit values ​​for each week. With their constant excess, the birth weight of a pregnant woman can exceed the prenatal body weight by 20-30 kg. A woman should not neglect the advice of a gynecologist regarding the gained kilograms.
  • Soft sleeping surface. A woman during pregnancy should give preference to soft mattresses. In addition, during any exercise in the supine position, the pregnant woman should place a roller or pillow under her legs.
  • Use of a prenatal brace. Antenatal brace is a must. Its main function is to keep the abdomen in the correct position, thereby eliminating the stretching of muscles and ligaments. Pharmacies also sell bandages that are used to support the pelvis and prevent pubic symphysis.
  • Swimming. Swimming helps to relax all the muscles in the body. In the summer, a woman can swim in the river or sea, and in the winter, go to the pool.

Almost 50% of women complain that their bones hurt during pregnancy. Especially often, this symptom begins to bother expectant mothers from the 14th week of pregnancy, and by the end of the third trimester, the pain can be completely unbearable. Most often bones in the hip region hurt, pubic bone, joints (especially the hip and knee), the spine in the lumbar spine, etc. Many women are concerned about whether this is normal and what causes such pain.

This symptom is observed in many women and in most cases does not mean anything serious. Such pain in the hip bones becomes especially noticeable during pregnancy.

  • Causes of pain

During pregnancy, the body produces large quantities of an important hormone called relaxin, which relaxes joints and muscles. Thus, the body prepares for the upcoming childbirth, because thanks to this hormone during childbirth, the pelvic bones are easier to move apart. The reverse side of the coin is that very bone pain and muscle pain; also increases the risk of bone damage.

Another reason is the increased stress on bones and joints. A woman's weight increases significantly during pregnancy, and therefore the pressure on the bones of the lower body (especially pelvis) increases significantly, which can also lead to the development of pain.

  • What to do?

There are some tips to help you get rid of or control bone pain during pregnancy:

  1. When sleeping, use it between your legs at your thighs or knees.
  2. Do not cross your legs while sleeping - this will only increase the pain.
  3. Get more rest and relaxation.
  4. Go swimming.
  5. Sign up for a prenatal foot massage.
  6. Try yoga or.

Pubic bone pain

This type of pain is most often associated with diastasis of the pubic symphysis. Simply put, such pain occurs due to the divergence of the pubic bones.

Causes of pain

The causes of pain are similar to the above-described case: the production of a large amount of relaxin and the separation of bones due to the preparation of the body for childbirth.

What to do?

To relieve pain, you can try the following methods:

1. Avoid situations where the pain gets worse. For example, if you find it uncomfortable to put on pants or shoes while standing, do it while sitting.
2. Avoid standing for long periods of time.
3. Apply warmth to the area where the pain is felt strongly. To do this, you can heat any cereal in a microwave oven - rice, buckwheat, millet, etc. - wrap it in a cloth and attach it to the body. You can also add dried herbs to the cereal - and then you get the effect of aromatherapy.
4. In some cases, only medications can help.

If other bones hurt during pregnancy

In addition to the above, pregnant women often complain of pain in the spine, neck, shoulders. In most cases, all this is explained by the increasing load on the body: the uterus grows (at the end of pregnancy it can exceed its original size by 1000 times), the fetus grows, the total weight of the woman increases. All this cannot but affect the balance of the body. Thus, with an increase in the abdomen, the posture of many pregnant women deviates backward, which causes pain and discomfort in the lower back, neck, shoulders, and also leads to tension in the back muscles.

You can relieve this pain in the following ways:

  • Sign up for a massage or exercise (swimming, yoga for pregnant women, etc.).
  • Refuse high heels, but do not switch to flat soles.
  • Sitting on a chair, you can lay a pillow behind your lower back. A roller or towel can be used while sleeping (placed between the legs).
  • Wear a support band.

In any case, if the bone pain is severe and uncomfortable, you should see a doctor who will assess your condition and recommend the best way to relieve the pain.