What causes pubic pain?

The symptom of pubic pain is usually common in expectant mothers. During pregnancy, expectant mothers will experience various pains, such as back pain, hand pain, breast pain, etc. Among them, pubic pain has the highest pain index. The pubic bone is two bones located in the front of the pelvis. There is a thin gap between the two bones, and then the thin gap is connected by ligaments and cartilage tissue. The reason why expectant mothers feel pain is that the two pubic bones are separated too much, and the ligaments and cartilage tissues are over-stretched, causing pain. This pain usually occurs in the front of the pelvis and pubic bone, and sometimes even in the back and inner thighs. . So what exactly is causing the pubic pain in expectant mothers? Let’s find out with the editor!

1. What is "pubic pain" during pregnancy?

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 groin.

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.

2. What should you do if you encounter "pubic pain"? Try 14 pain-relief tips

For some cases of pubic separation with mild symptoms, it generally does not affect daily life and work, and no special treatment is required. Expectant mothers with this problem can reduce the pain by paying more attention to the small details in daily life.

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.

8. Place a small pillow between your legs when you sleep. When turning over in bed, move your feet and hips as slowly and parallel as possible.

9. The soles of the shoes for expectant mothers should be soft and comfortable. Avoid wearing hard-soled shoes with heels to prevent unstable center of gravity and increased pain.

10. Sit down and rest often. When sitting, keep your back as straight as possible and give your back good support, such as placing a lumbar pillow behind your back.

11. Avoid lifting heavy objects. Expectant mothers with pubic pain should carry less heavy objects. If necessary, using a backpack will be more comfortable.

12. If the situation is very serious, you can use an elastic band to bind the pelvis to relieve the pressure on the pelvis. However, it must be used under the guidance of a doctor to avoid affecting the baby's development. The tightness of the band should be based on what the pelvis can tolerate, while not seriously affecting the venous return of the lower limbs.

13. Don’t endure the pain. If certain movements cause you pain, try to avoid them. If you let this pain fester, it can take a long time to recover.

14. Regular pelvic floor muscle exercises and lower abdominal exercises can help relieve the pressure on the pelvis caused by pregnancy.

3. "Pubic pain" and the choice of delivery method

In terms of the method of delivery, unless the pregnant woman has severe pubic symphysis separation, severe pain or a small pelvis, selective cesarean section can be considered. Generally, natural delivery is the main method. However, during the delivery process, there are a few points that need special attention:

1. Inform the condition in advance: Before giving birth, the medical staff should be informed of the condition of symphysis pubis separation.

2. Be careful with the delivery posture: You need to be especially careful with the delivery posture and avoid spreading your legs too much during delivery.

3. Avoid invasive delivery: Avoid some commonly used invasive delivery methods, such as forceps, because they often cause damage to the pubic symphysis.