How to manage Pelvic Girdle Pain in Pregnancy
What is pelvic girdle pain?
Some pregnant folks may develop pelvic pain in pregnancy. This is sometimes called pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PGP) or symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD).
PGP is a collection of uncomfortable symptoms caused by a stiffness of your pelvic joints or the joints moving unevenly at either the back or front of your pelvis.
Symptoms of PGP
PGP is not harmful to your baby, but it can be painful and make it hard to get around.
Pregnant people with PGP may feel pain:
over the pubic bone at the front in the centre, roughly level with your hips
across 1 or both sides of your lower back
in the area between your vagina and anus (perineum)
spreading to your thighs
Some pregnant people may feel or hear a clicking or grinding in the pelvic area.
The pain can be worse when you're walking, going up or down stairs, standing on 1 leg, turning over in bed or moving your legs apart.
How to manage PGP
Pelvic floor physiotherapist, Kirstie Gordon-Loiello, and I chat about why you may be experiencing pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy, and she shows a series of exercises to help manage the pain (at 09:10 in the recording).
In my prenatal yoga classes we do exercises to help you prevent and manage pelvic girdle pain as well as other discomforts that come along with pregnancy.
About Kirstie Gordon-Loiello
Kirstie is a mom who has a passion for helping other moms. Her aim is to empower moms of all ages to not settle for “this is your new normal because….” She understands that being a mom unfortunately often means that Mom puts others before herself. Having kids is wonderful and amazing, but we as mothers have to take care of ourselves, post-baby body and pelvic floors included!
Kirstie graduated from McGill University in 2009, with a Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy. Her first passion was in orthopaedic/sports therapy. After her son was born, she developed a keen interest in pelvic health, training in women’s health, with a special focus on post-natal therapies. Her dedication to these issues has motivated and directed her professional development in taking care of Mom as a whole.
Kirstie is a licensed member of the Ordre Professionnel de la Physiothérapie du Québec (OPPQ).
To contact Kirstie or book an appointment:
kirstie@beyondkegels.ca
www.beyondkegels.ca
