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Back and pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy

One of the most common complaints in pregnancy is that pain is affecting the lower back or the joints of the pelvis (PGP). It affects as many as 1 in 5 pregnant women and is caused by a number of factors.

Symptoms

You may have pain in the lower back or over the pubic bone, hips or buttocks. This may be experienced in just one of these places, or in a band all the way around the pelvis. The pain can spread into the legs, and can also change sides from day to day.

Activities that cause discomfort typically include walking, lying on your back, turning over in bed, standing on one leg (e.g. dressing), or separating the legs (e.g. getting in and out of bed or a car). The pain is often worse at night, or after you have been on your feet for a while.

What can Physiotherapy do to help?

Physiotherapy will advise you how to manage the pain, helping with things like:

• Posture, positions, and moving

• Daily activities

• Exercises

• The best positions for labour

• Pain relieving methods

It may also include tubigrip support, crutches and manual therapy if appropriate.

Making an appointment

If your midwife has given you this leaflet and you would like to see a physiotherapist, please telephone one of the following numbers (8am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday) and ask for an appointment in the antenatal back class:

• Doncaster: 01302 644207

• Bassetlaw: 01909 572302

• Mexborough: 01709 649190

You will need the information in the box below; your midwife should fill this in.

NHS Number, Referral Date, Referring Midwife, Registered GP.

Ask for an appointment in the antenatal back class at Bassetlaw, Doncaster, or Mexborough.

Your appointment

Your first appointment will be in a small group with other women who have PGP. The physiotherapist will assess you and ask you about the nature of your problem, and may assess your muscles and joints. Because this is a group setting, we are unable to accommodate children or partners.

Individual one-on-one appointments are only available in exceptional circumstances. If there is a genuine reason why you cannot be seen in a group initially, please let the booking team know when you ring for an appointment (be aware you may need to wait longer).

You may be given a one-on-one follow-up appointment if the physiotherapist feels that you need further assessment or treatment.

Patient Questionnaire

Please complete the questionnaire below and bring it to the class/appointment with you.

This can be viewed out here.

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