Does pubic pain in late pregnancy mean early birth?

The closer the due date is in the late pregnancy, the more nervous the pregnant woman will be, and she will be ready for delivery at any time. Some pregnant women in late pregnancy may feel pain in their pubic bones. This pain has just appeared and is very characteristic. It usually does not last, but is more obvious when standing for a long time or going up and down stairs. This abnormality may cause premature birth. So, will pubic pain in late pregnancy lead to early birth? Let’s take a look below.

In the middle and late stages of pregnancy, many expectant mothers will feel inexplicable pain in the pubic bone, a pulling sensation, especially when standing, walking, or going up and down stairs. The pain is more obvious, and sometimes it hurts when turning over or sitting up in sleep. This phenomenon occurs mainly because, during pregnancy, especially in the middle and late stages of pregnancy, the fetus grows larger and the uterus expands accordingly. The pubic space will undergo corresponding physiological changes and become wider than before pregnancy. Generally, when not pregnant, the normal distance between the two pubic bones is 4-5mm. During pregnancy, the two hormones, relaxin and progesterone, can help relax the ligaments, and the distance between the two pubic bones will increase by at least 2-3mm, making the pelvis more elastic, giving the fetus more room to grow, and facilitating the fetus's passage through the pelvis during delivery. Therefore, pubic symphysis separation occurs in almost all pregnant women. However, some pregnant women may be too sensitive to the above-mentioned hormones, which makes the pubic symphysis area very loose and the distance between the two exceeds 10mm; or because of the size and arrangement of the pelvis, this joint is under more pressure, resulting in excessive separation of the pubic symphysis, and then they feel this pain in the base of the thigh.

The pain caused by this pubic symphysis separation is generally tolerable. If the pubic bone is dislocated significantly, it may cause ligament sprain, edema, and difficulty in movement in severe cases. The expectant mother will have to stay in bed and rest.

Expectant mothers don’t have to worry. After giving birth, the widened gap between the pubic bones will gradually return to its original spacing.

How to relieve pubic pain

1. When you feel pain, you can put an ice pack on your pubic bone for cold compress.

2. The amplitude of your daily movements should be small. Because when you do some movements, you may not feel its effect immediately, but you will feel pain later or when you go to bed.

3. If your physical condition allows, you can reduce the pressure on your joints by swimming. Try to avoid breaststroke, and be careful when swimming with other strokes. People feel more comfortable when they are in the water, but the pain may worsen when they come out of the water.

4. When standing, your legs should be symmetrical. Avoid movements that keep your legs apart for a long time, such as getting in and out of a car or a bathtub. If you must separate your legs, move slowly and carefully.

5. Avoid sitting astride. If you are a working mother who sits in the office every day, you need to place a lumbar pillow behind your back.

6. When you get up in the morning, try to sit down and get dressed instead of standing and lifting your legs to put on your underwear, pants or skirt.

7. When climbing stairs, take one step at a time. Place your stronger or more convenient leg onto the step first, then move your other leg forward. Repeat this movement for each step you take.