Common Pregnancy Pains and How a Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist Can Help
Pregnancy and Common Discomforts
Pregnancy is a beautiful, life-changing experience, but it often comes with a variety of aches and pains. Whether it’s your first pregnancy or your fourth, each pregnancy brings its own set of symptoms and challenges.
As a pelvic floor physical therapist, I often work with pregnant women to help manage common discomforts that can interfere with daily life. Here are some of the most frequent pains and discomforts I see, along with tips on how you can ease them. Remember, these are general recommendations. For personalized guidance, feel free to book a free virtual consultation with me!
01. Low Back Pain
Low back pain is one of the most common complaints during pregnancy—and for good reason! As your pregnancy progresses, your body changes rapidly: you’re carrying extra weight, walking and moving differently, and your abdominal muscles are being stretched. At the same time, you’re likely juggling daily responsibilities, such as caring for other children, preparing for a baby, or managing your usual tasks.
Low back pain may be felt during everyday movements, such as getting in and out of bed, standing up from a chair, carrying groceries, or rolling over in bed.
What you can do:
- Incorporate mobility exercises such as cat-cow, thread the needle, and seated trunk rotations to improve back flexibility.
- Engage in strengthening exercises that target your core, back, and glutes to help support your spine and pelvis.
02. Low Back Pain
This pain can range from a dull ache to sharp, electric sensations, and may even be accompanied by numbness or tingling. In some cases, women may experience loss of strength in their legs, difficulty with bowel or bladder movements, or incontinence. If this happens, seek medical attention immediately, as it could be a sign of a more serious issue, like nerve compression.
For most women, however, leg and hip pain is caused by nerve irritation, often due to the growing uterus or hormonal changes during pregnancy.
What you can do:
- Stretching can help relieve tension in the hips and legs. Try gentle hip flexor and hamstring stretches.
- Engage in strengthening exercises that target your core, back, and glutes to help support your spine and pelvis.