Sharp pelvic pain during pregnancy the third trimester can greatly affect your daily life. While pregnancy is a wonderful time in your life, there are a lot of things no one talks about. As you approach and move through your third trimester you may or may not experience more aches and pain. If you struggle with sharp pelvic pain, you have come to the right place. We will review not only why this could be occurring but also what you can do to get some relief!

When does sharp pelvic pain occur

• Movements that generally cause sharp pelvic pain

  • getting in and out of your car

  • going up and down stairs

  • rolling over in bed

  • walking

• Pelvic pain tends to increase as baby grows and more pressure is placed on your uterus and pubic bone

What is the difference between sharp and dull pain?

Sharp pain is often described as: intense, stabbing, burning. It can sometimes take your breath away. Sharp pain may indicate a more acute injury or a nerve related injury

Dull pain is often described as a more chronic pain that is muscular in nature. It can vary in intensity but often is more persistent in nature.

Is sharp pelvic pain during pregnancy common?

According to the APTA(American Physical Therapy Association), 1 in 5 women will experience some form of pelvic pain during pregnancy. Unfortunately it is very common but can vary from completely debilitating to very mild.

Common Causes of Sharp Pelvic Pain in the Third Trimester

• Round Ligament Pain

• Your round ligament is connective tissue that supports your uterus. It attaches to your uterus and goes all the way down to your labia majora. It elongates as your uterus grows and can be the cause of a great deal of pain or dysfunction. 

• You are most likely to feel this type of pain while moving and it can feel like intense, sharp, stabbing pain in your abdomen, hips, or groin

• There are multiple different reasons as to why this can occur. We recommend seeking the care of a pelvic so they can determine the exact cause of your pain and provide you with detailed exercise specific to you to help relieve your pain. 

• Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)

• Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction, also known as pubic symphysis pain is another very common cause of sharp pain during pregnancy in the third trimester. This pain usually occurs right at your pubic bone and increases with walking, stairs, rolling over in bed, or anything that causes your legs to separate. 

• To learn more about what SPD is and how we treat is click here

• Pressure from the Baby

• As baby grows, you may start to experience more pain, pressure or discomfort. The size of the baby, your anatomy, and the baby's position can all play a part in what pain you experience. 

• If the baby is breach you could have increased rib pain. If the babys head is more posterior it can press against your spine or sacrum resulting in more increased low back pain.  

• So what do we do about it? 

• Depending on your exact issue, a pelvic floor physical therapist can help improve tissue mobility and reduce pain and tension. Babies like soft squishy environments so reducing tension through manual work and stretchings can help baby find a better position. 

   

• Braxton Hicks Contractions

• Braxton hicks contractions are your body's way of preparing for labor and is a very normal part of pregnancy.. Most women don't notice them until their third trimester. In general they may feel like a tightening or firming of your belly. They may or may not create pain. 

   

When to Seek Medical Attention

Some red flags that you should be aware of that could warrant immediate medical attention are:

• Bleeding

• Severe pain

• Increased blood pressure

• Fever

• Decreased fetal movement 

  🌟Don't forget to attend your regular prenatal check-ups as well 🌟

Managing and Alleviating Pelvic Pain

Lifestyle Adjustments

• In order to help ensure a happy and pain free pregnancy we recommend

• Proper hydration

• Daily movement such as daily walks, yoga, strengthening, pilates, or whatever you enjoy, just move! 

• Appropriate rest and recovery 

• Proper nutrition 

• Daily 360 breath work

• Seeing a pelvic floor physical therapist

• Prenatal massage

• Chiropractic care

• Postural awareness and appropriate body mechanics with daily tasks 

• Utilizing a sit stand desk if you have a desk job so you can more easily vary your position throughout the day 

• Supportive footwear- we love these to help minimize impact to your joints

• SI belt or taping for pain relief

• Don't fret! If you cant do it all, pick one thing on the list to focus on to help optimize your pregnancy! You got this mama!

Recommended exercises to help reduce pain

Inversions

Modified inversions

• a good option if a full inversion does not feel comfortable for you

Adductor Rock Back Stretch

Happy Baby Stretch with Breath Work

You are not alone!

When you are struggling with sharp pelvic pain in the third trimester it can seem overwhelming and all encompassing but dont worry, we are here for YOU! Just know, most pelvic pain that occurs during pregnancy can be relieved with appropriate action.

Dig Deeper: Uncover More Secrets to Pelvic Floor Health

• Learn more about Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

• Check out our blog Your Pelvic Floor: What is it and why it matters 

• To learn more about painful intimacy check out our blog Understanding Pain During Sex

Hi! We are Dr.Aimee and Dr. Lauren

We are the owners of Empower Physical Therapy and Wellness. We are pelvic floor physical therapists who specialize in helping women from pregnancy, into postpartum and through perimenopause, menopause and then beyond! We believe all women deserve to do all of the things they love without symptoms!

You can contact us via our website, email at hello@weempowerpt.com or social media!

The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or symptoms. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.

If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911 immediately. The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of any medical or healthcare institutions.