Pelvic pain during pregnancy

Find the cause before pushing through pain

Brief pulling sensations with a sudden movement can come from the ligaments supporting the uterus. Pain around the pubic bone, hips, or buttocks may be pelvic girdle pain, often worse with stairs, getting out of a car, or turning in bed. Constipation and urinary infections can also cause pelvic discomfort.

New or persistent pain should be discussed with your OB. Not all pelvic pain is a normal part of pregnancy.

Make everyday movements easier

Try shorter steps, sit while getting dressed, and keep your knees comfortably together when turning in bed or getting out of a car. A pillow between your knees may help at night. Reduce activities that repeatedly trigger pain. A pregnancy support belt or pelvic health physical therapy may be useful.

Gentle exercises to discuss with your care team

Once your clinician confirms that exercise is appropriate, try these within a pain-free range:

• Seated pelvic tilt: Sit securely on a chair with feet supported. Gently roll your pelvis backward, then return to neutral. Try 5 to 10 slow repetitions.
• Gentle lower-abdominal engagement: While sitting or on your side, breathe normally and gently draw the lower belly inward. Hold about 5 seconds, relax, and repeat a few times without bracing hard.

Stop if pain increases. Exercises should be adapted to your symptoms; painful deep stretches or repeated single-leg movements may make things worse.