Pelvic discomfort is common during pregnancy as a baby grows, but if bleeding or leakage of fluid or cramping accompanies the pain, it might be a good idea to call your healthcare provider.
What causes it?
As your baby grows, so does your uterus. Pregnancy hormones tell your ligaments to loosen to provide room for your uterus to expand, and this, combined with your baby’s weight, can put added pressure on your pelvic region. Discomfort could also be the result of other effects of pregnancy, like Braxton-Hicks contractions and round ligament pain, or of ailments unrelated to pregnancy like a urinary tract infection.
Pelvic discomfort in the first trimester could also be linked to miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or preeclampsia, so it is very important to let your healthcare provider know if you feel that your discomfort is more intense than usual.
Tips?
Kegels can increase the strength of the muscles of the pelvic floor, which could help you recover from pelvic pain and discomfort, and more importantly, prevent these symptoms in the first place. Warm baths and prenatal massages could also help manage your discomfort.
Reviewed by Dr. Jamie Lo
Sources
- Mayo Clinic Staff. “Pelvic Pain: Causes.” MayoClinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Mar 2017. Web. Accessed 6/28/17. Available at http://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/pelvic-pain/basics/causes/sym-20050898.
- “Chronic Pelvic Pain.” ACOG. FAQ099 from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Aug 2011. Web. Accessed 6/28/17. Available at https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Chronic-Pelvic-Pain.
- “Third trimester preganncy: What to expect.” MayoClinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, Apr 2017. Web. Accessed 6/28/17. Available at http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy/art-20046767.
