PREGNANT WOMEN WITH PELVIC PAIN: WHAT SHOULD THEY DO?

24/12/2021

For women, pregnancy is an incredibly meaningful and happy journey. However, they are likely to face pelvic pain – a fairly common condition during pregnancy that has caused many difficulties for expectant mothers. Although pelvic pain does not harm the fetus, it makes the seemingly normal things such as walking, going up stairs, or turning body on bed becoming harder.

Several causes can lead to pelvic pain in pregnant women during the stages of pregnancy: 

In the first trimester, pelvic pain is usually caused by maternal physiological change to adapt to fetal development. The gradually enlarged uterus will make the pregnant woman feels pelvic cramping and heaviness.
In the second trimester, due to the stretching of ligaments to support the uterus which is gradually enlarged following fetal development. Expectant mothers may feel sudden, short throbbing pain in the abdomen or bilateral hips, and the pain can be exacerbated when mothers moves strongly.
In the third trimester, pelvic pain tends to increase due to gradual increased fetal weight and the fetus moves lower to prepare for labour.

So, how to relieve pelvic pain during pregnancy:

► How will pelvic pain manifest in a pregnant woman? 

Centric anterior pubic pain, close to the level of hips.
Pain in unilateral or bilateral lower back.
Pain in the area between the vagina and anus (perineum).
Pain radiates to thighs.
Feel or hear clicking sound in the pelvic bones.
The pain may be worse when mothers perform the following activities:
Go up or down stairs.
Stand on one leg (for example, when wearing clothes).
Turn the body on bed.
Move legs apart (for example, when getting out of a car).

► How to relieve pelvic pain for pregnant women?

Move gently, moderately
Take rest when possible.
Flat shoes are recommended.
Daily houseworks should be done in a sitting position (for example, changing clothes, ironing,...)
Keep your knees close together (e.g., try to keep both legs moving together when entering and exiting a car).
Sleep in a comfortable position (for example, lie on your side with a pillow between your legs).
Try to turn your body on bed with different ways (for example, turn your body with both knees and tightly pressed buttocks).
Go up stairs step by step.
Move slowly but regularly to enhance health and toughness of the ligaments.
Wear a supporting pelvic brace for pregnant women.

► What should pregnant women do to avoid aggravated pelvic pain?

Lifting or carrying heavy loads.
Sitting cross-legged.
Sitting on the floor or sitting twist.
Sitting or standing for a long time.
Standing on one leg or asymmetrically.

At the AIH, physicians and nutritionists will monitor and provide specific recommendations for individual parturient in order to create the best care plan for maternal and fetal health. AIH is the pioneer international hospital in Vietnam applies a system of American standrad delivery suites - LDRP, which bring parturients and families to comfortable and convenient experience of childbirth as placing them in an unique versatile room for entire delivery process: labor- vaginal delivery – recovery – postpartum.

Especially, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is fully equiped with standard state-of-the-art medical devices, together with leading medical experts including neonatologists, neonatal nurses, physiotherapists, pediatric nutritionists to ensure safety and excellent care for babies since they are born.

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For checkup and consultation at AIH:

☎️ Hotline: (028) 3910 9999

🌏 Website: www.aih.com.vn

📍 Address: (Entrance from 199 Nguyen Hoang Street) No.6, Bac Nam 3 Street, An Phu Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City.