As many of us know, pregnancy brings with it a number of physical sensations and side effects that can vary in discomfort, from the mild to the severe.
For the most part, these symptoms are not much more than an inconvenience, but in some cases – such as the onset of pelvic girdle pain – the effects can be much more difficult to deal with.
Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is a surprisingly common pregnancy complaint, affecting approximately a fifth of pregnant women. Characterised by pain occurring in the sacroiliac joints, and radiating into the groin, the pubic area, and sometimes even into the thighs and lower back, this discomfort affects women to varying degrees.
Fortunately, if you are suffering with this condition, there are a number of things you can do to cope with and alleviate the discomfort.
Work On Your Posture
Sitting and standing correctly can help ease some of the strain on your pelvic area and decrease the discomfort.
When standing, the aim is to stand as tall and straight as you can, with your shoulders back, your head level, and your feet shoulder-width apart. You should avoid locking your knees.
When sitting, you should similarly keep as straight as you can, with your shoulders back and your buttocks pressing against the back of the seat. Using a form of lumbar support will help ease any strain on your lower back.
Use Mobility Aids
In particularly severe cases of PGP, it may help a great deal to use mobility aids such as a walker, crutches, or a wheelchair. You can find a wide range of options, including electric powered wheelchairs, at Mobility Solutions.
Although it’s a good idea to try and move about as much as you can unaided, to strengthen your muscles and joints, if your PGP symptoms are causing you a great deal of discomfort then mobility aids are a valuable tool to help you to get about and do what you want to do.
Avoid Heavy Lifting
Avoid Heavy LiftingWhen you’re pregnant, it’s always best to avoid lifting heavy weights, but even more so if you suffer from pelvic girdle pain. Be sure to only pick up lighter items, and when you do so, make sure you pick them up correctly by bending with both your hips and knees, so as to avoid any unnecessary strain.
Purchase A Pregnancy Pillow
PGP can be more severe during the night, particularly as your pregnancy advances and more pressure is placed on your joints and muscles while you sleep. To counteract this, you can purchase a pregnancy pillow.
By positioning this pillow comfortably between your legs while you sleep, you can gently relieve pressure on your pelvis; the pillow can also prevent you from making any potentially painful movements while you’re unconscious and your muscles and joints are more vulnerable.
Take Baby Steps
Finally, to decrease the uncomfortable sensations caused by PGP, if you have to walk anywhere it’s best to take tiny steps, rather than your normal strides. This will relieve some of the stress on your pelvic joints and hopefully also minimise the discomfort.
In Conclusion
While pelvic girdle pain can be uncomfortable and even debilitating for some women, there are a number of things you can do to relieve the discomfort. While it may be difficult at times, focusing on the positive things you can do to help yourself – as well as on the prospect of your new bundle of joy – will hopefully help to make your pregnancy easier.