The risks of developing pelvic issues during pregnancy are incredibly high. Pelvic issues are caused by the released pregnancy hormones. The change in hormones and the increasing weight of the belly cause your pelvic joints and pelvic ligaments to be additionally taxed. The pelvis becomes weaker and more mobile because of the increasing pregnancy hormones and is making room for your baby. While the pelvis becomes weaker, your belly is growing more forwards and the weight of the belly is adding up. The lower back is under a lot of added pressure and because of the pressure your lower back becomes more hollow. Your lower back muscles are working overtime and can become overexerted. Lower back pain is the most common pelvic issue during the pregnancy. This lower pack pain is caused by the changes in the pelvis.
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During pregnancy, your body is going through a lot of chances starting from the first week. A lot is changing in your pelvis, belly and lower back. The pressure on your pelvic floor, pelvic muscles, pelvic ligaments and your lower back will rapidly increase. Your body will also change when it comes to hormones. The pelvic ligaments and pelvic joints will become more mobile. This doesn’t mean that you will be able to master the tango or the cha-cha, instead this means that your pelvic area will become unstable and weaker. That’s why it’s recommended that you get to know how to deal with the pelvis, the abdominal pressure and other taxing movements during your pregnancy.
Pelvic instability, pelvic pain and pelvic issues. What’s the difference?
Previously we used to call every type of pelvic issue ‘pelvic instability’. This isn’t really wrong, but now we also call it pelvic pain and pelvic issues. Pelvic instability isn’t always the case when you have pelvic pain or pelvic issues. A man can also have pelvic issues or problems in and around the pelvis. Read my blog about pelvic issues in men for more information.
Pelvic instability is a specific name for the changes in your pelvis during your pregnancy. Every pregnant woman develops pelvic instability. The pelvis becomes unstable because of your hormones so that your baby will have extra room. But that doesn’t mean that every pregnant woman will experience issues with pelvic instability.
Pelvic pain is what we call pain in and around the pelvis. Each type of pain falls under this category. Think of a nagging pelvic pain, stabbing pelvic pain, pain in the lower back, groin or lower belly. You can call every type of pain in or around the pelvis pelvic pain.
Pelvic issues concludes every type of issue that you can experience in or around the pelvis. Pelvic instability and pelvic pain are also pelvic issues. But so are urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, vaginismus, erection disorders, a weakened pelvic floor, organic prolapses or an overactive pelvic floor. Pelvic issues describes every issue in or around your pelvis.
Symptoms of pelvic issues
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- Pain in the lower back.
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- Pain in the groin.
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- Pain in the hips.
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- Pain in your tailbone.
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- Pain in your glutes.
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- Pain in one side of your buttocks, radiating to the back of your upper leg.
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- Pain and having trouble while walking.
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- Pain and having trouble while standing.
- Pain and having trouble while sitting.
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- Pain and having trouble with heavy physical activities, like doing chores or lifting groceries.
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- General fatigue.
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- Urinary or fecal incontinence can occur.
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- Sexual issues like vaginismus or vulvitis.
Pelvic instability during pregnancy
Pelvic instability often occurs during a pregnancy. The pelvic ligaments become weaker and more mobile because of the releasing hormones. Your pelvis becomes unstable. The belly grows and your pelvis, pelvic floor, the pelvic muscles and the pelvic ligaments are being challenged by the increasing pressure of the belly. The chances of issues developing are increasing.
Pelvic pain during pregnancy
Pelvic pain is common in the second trimester of pregnancy. Think of a nagging pain, pain in the lower back or feeling like your pelvic ligaments are being pulled on. This pelvic pain often goes away by itself, but recovery can take about 3 months, especially when you had a vaginal birth.
Pelvic issues during pregnancy
The pelvic instability and pelvic pain gradually decrease in most cases after pregnancy, however, pelvic issues can still be present. Maybe your pelvic floor has been weakened and you still experience incontinence because of this. The pelvis has to recover from childbirth, but you will notice progress after 2 months. Always seek guidance or help when you are still experiencing pelvic pain or pelvic issues after giving birth. Your GP, gynecologist, or pelvic therapist can help you with this, because help is always a good thing to have. You will find a lot of handy tips and exercises here.
Weakened pelvic floor muscles at an older age
The more you get older, the more your pelvic floor muscles will weaken. This has an effect on your incontinence, for example. Other pelvic issues like an organic prolapse can also develop, this is linked to the weakening pelvic floor muscles. These pelvic floor muscles can’t keep the organs properly in place anymore. But don’t worry, this is treatable! There are a lot of tips and exercises you can read and apply.
Overactive pelvic floor muscles at an older age
Incontinence isn’t the only thing that can occur. Obstipation is a very common pelvic issue too. You often experience obstipation when your pelvic floor muscles are too tight instead of too weak. A pelvic floor that’s too strong or too overactive isn’t easy and quick to relax. An overactive pelvic floor can cause overflow incontinence, a painful vagina and erection issues. Relaxation exercises and the included tips are the tools that you will need.
Vaginal birth increases the risk of incontinence at an older age
If you’ve ever had a vaginal childbirth then you might have the chance to still experience the consequences at a later age. Do exercises, even when you aren’t experiencing any issues yet. The more you train and exercise, the more you’re protected against a variety of problems.
You can still do a lot yourself to prevent the development of pelvic issue at an older age.
Entering pregnancy in a good shape prevents pelvic issues
The hormones that get to work when you’re expecting make sure that your pelvis is prepared for childbirth. A baby has to pass, and normally that isn’t possible yet. Some normal movements can become quite painful. Your pelvis and pelvic muscles have become more unstable, after all.
A handful of factors can already influence the pelvic ligaments beforehand: already having had back issues, having asymmetric pelvic joints, using your pelvic floor muscles in a wrong way, doing physical heavy labor or having a general unfit shape or posture. You have a lot of influence on your pregnancy health before you even enter pregnancy. Make sure that you’re entering pregnancy when you’re fit and strong, and watch the risks of developing serious issues decrease.
Exercise your pelvic floor muscles and your obliques. The obliques are abdominal muscles that run across the sides of your torso. Exercising those will ensure you of stability once you’re growing a beautiful, big belly. You’ll do pelvic floor muscle exercises that you are probably acquainted with. However, now you’re going to focus on muscles that you don’t really know well. Retract the vagina when you’re doing abdominal exercises. By adjusting your focus you will develop a strong and healthy pelvic floor. Your back will also be stronger once your abdominal muscles are in good shape. Each and every muscle are linked to each other in one way or another. Take a look at my pelvic floor exercises so that you can enter pregnancy while being fit.
What to do when you have pelvic issues and pelvic instability
If you so happen to experience pelvic issues, don’t be passive about it. It’s incredibly important to stay active, but keep your capacity in mind. Take a break after every activity. If you end up doing nothing at all you will notice that your condition will rapidly decline and your issues will worsen. This way we notice that people often become bedbound or become ashamed of their pelvic issues and are too anxious to go out. Prevent a bad shape and isolation by taking action. There are enough specialists out there that can help you out.
And don’t worry too much. Each and every pelvis becomes unstable during pregnancy. Pelvic instability is a perfectly normal thing to go through when you’re expecting. Every pregnant woman releases hormones so every pelvis of a carrying woman has to be wider for the descending baby. Pelvic instability isn’t something you can prevent, but not everyone has pelvic pain or other pelvic issues next to it. Even top athletes can develop pelvic instability, but their recovery period is way shorter and the risks of developing pelvic instability at a later age are way smaller.
Look for a specialist when you experience pelvic instability, pelvic pain and pelvic issues. A therapist will provide you with good advice and help out with a suitable examination and exercises.
And lastly, are you looking for more information?
Hopefully this information was useful to you! If you’re still looking for some more information, feel free to take another look around on the website. It’s filled with in-depth information, tips, a web shop and also exercises. I still have a lot of articles with lots of information about other symptoms and issues. Feel free to click on the blue words to take you straight to the right page.
