During pregnancy, many women experience pelvic pain or symphysis pubis diastasis. This is felt in the pelvis, which is the lower part of the abdomen, below the abdomen and between the hips. It contains the bladder, rectum, uterus and vagina.
These pains are due to changes in the body as it adapts to pregnancy. However, medical advice is needed to rule out any disorders that require urgent medical intervention. These conditions may be directly related to the pregnancy, such as an ectopic pregnancy. Or they may not be directly related to the pregnancy, such as appendicitis. A health professional can also advise you on whether to take painkillers or whether to have physiotherapy.
How can pelvic pain be relieved in a pregnant woman?
Diet
Pelvic pain can be caused by a lack of vitamins and minerals. To relieve pelvic pain, a pregnant woman must watch her diet. It must be adapted so that the mother-to-be does not gain too much weight during pregnancy. It should also be balanced to avoid deficiencies in the pregnant woman.
Indeed, ligaments are mainly composed of collagen. Our body produces it naturally, but several nutrients are necessary for its synthesis in the body.
There are nine of them: zinc, magnesium, vitamin B12, vitamin C and iron, manganese, vitamins B2 and B6 and copper.
Physical activity
Pregnant women who exercise once or twice a week are less likely to suffer from pelvic pain. However, the advice of the health professional who is monitoring your pregnancy is essential. He or she will make sure that the sport you are doing is safe for you and your baby. He or she is best able to give you advice on how to exercise regularly, but without exhausting yourself.
In general, a pregnant woman should move regularly, limiting the intensity of physical activity. Walking and water gymnastics are ideal exercises during pregnancy. They relax the ligaments and the floor.
Daily activities
In everyday life, pregnant women should avoid carrying or pushing weights. She should also be careful about sudden movements that strain the pelvic floor. To get up from a chair or bed, the mother-to-be should use her arms to avoid putting too much strain on her pelvis.
During the day, maintaining good posture and avoiding standing for long periods is essential. The young woman should take care of herself and listen to her body. Simply lying down and getting plenty of rest will help to alleviate or even get rid of the pregnant woman’s pelvic pain.
At night, pregnant women can relieve pelvic pain by sleeping with a pillow between their legs, specifically their knees.
Other tips for relieving pelvic pain in pregnant women
To relieve pelvic pain in a pregnant woman, you can use the benefits of heat. Taking a warm bath, between 38 and 39°C, relaxes all the muscles in the body. If you prefer, you can target a specific area with something warm or a heating pad. A hot water bottle placed in the groin area or towards the lower abdomen has a relaxing effect.
Some pregnant women use a pregnancy belt to relieve pelvic pain and support the pelvis.
Alternative medicine also helps in the relief of pelvic pain in pregnant women. According to recent studies, acupuncture reduces pain by 50-60% in the short term. Physiotherapy can be used for active (physical exercises) or passive (massages) support. In addition, the physiotherapist provides information on the anatomy of the pelvis and valuable advice on how to manage pain in everyday life.
