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If you’re trying to relieve pelvic pain during pregnancy, you need to understand the various types of pelvic pain.

“Pelvic pain” is a catch-all term for pain anywhere in the pelvic region. It can affect people of any age, sex, or ethnicity, and it occurs in pregnant and nonpregnant folks.

The causes and presentations of pelvic pain are diverse. However, pelvic pain during pregnancy often falls within a few common categories. These include:

• Lower abdominal pain (female).
• Pain in the groin when pregnant.
• Pelvic girdle pain (PGP).

Let’s consider each type of pelvic pain and how to relieve it.

What Are the Types of Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy?

Pelvic girdle pain

The term “pelvic girdle” refers to the pelvis bones, muscles, and connective tissues surrounding them. As your body changes during pregnancy, the structures of the pelvic girdle experience more stress. These stressors lead to pelvic girdle pain (PGP) in approximately 20% of pregnancies.

A pregnant person with PGP may experience pain in the front, back, or both portions of the pelvic girdle. The pain in the front of the pelvis is often just above the genitals, at the joint between the pubic bones.

Back-of-pelvis pain typically occurs around the sacrum, the flat bone that connects the pelvis to the spine. This type of PGP is distinct from low back pain, but both types of pain are common during pregnancy.

Pregnancy sore groin

Pain in the groin when pregnant is another common pregnancy pain. The hip’s ball-and-socket joint can generate pain radiating into the groin. The round ligaments of the uterus can also cause groin pain.

The round ligaments anchor the uterus with the pelvic bowl. A growing uterus stretches and strains the round ligaments, leading to pain in 10% to 30% of pregnancies, according to the National Institutes of Health.

The symptoms of round ligament pain can overlap with another type of pain that is common during pregnancy: lower abdominal pain.

Lower abdominal pain (female)

Some pregnant people with round ligament pain feel discomfort in the lower abdomen rather than the groin. However, the round ligaments aren’t the only structures that can cause pain in this region.

Sometimes, lower abdominal pain is a red flag, signaling a dangerous underlying condition. If you feel abdominal pain during pregnancy, always alert your health care provider. Sometimes, they may need to perform tests to rule out these underlying conditions.

How Do I Relieve Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy?

You’ve learned about the common types of pelvic pain that occur during pregnancy. Now, it’s time to understand how to address them. Though each type of pain is unique, they share some common solutions.

Check your posture and body position

As your pregnant belly grows, your body learns to compensate. Your muscles and joints adapt to redistribute the load of your growing baby. These postural changes can contribute to pelvic pain during pregnancy.

Here are some simple tips for optimal posture and body position:

Find a neutral spine

• Sit or stand with your hands on your hips. Arch your lower back and feel your pelvis tilt forward.
• Then, “tuck your tail” to flatten your lower back. Notice your pelvis tilting backward.
• Now, find the neutral pelvic position between these two extremes. This neutral spine position often relieves or reduces pregnancy-related pelvic pain.

Stand equally on both feet

• Some types of pelvic pain don’t react well to unequal weight-bearing. Uneven activities like standing on one foot or climbing stairs often exacerbate this pain.
• As often as possible, check to see if you’re bearing more weight on one foot. If you are, pause and correct this, splitting your weight between both sides.

Use pillows as support when you’re lying down

• Much like standing, symmetrical lying positions are often better for PGP. Place a supportive pillow between your knees and thighs when lying on your side. This will reduce torque through your pelvis.
• When you want to change sides, gently squeeze this pillow between your legs to stabilize your pelvis as you move.

Use exercise as medicine

In 2023, the Journal of Women’s Health & Pelvic Health Physical Therapy reviewed the results of 22 studies on exercise for back and pelvic pain in pregnancy.

The review found that compared to pregnant people who didn’t exercise, those who followed a regular exercise routine reported significantly less pain during pregnancy. Non-exercisers were 30% more likely to report severe pain during pregnancy.

Also, in 2023, the journal Cureus studied pelvic girdle pain and identified a different pattern. Both exercisers and sedentary people experienced PGP during pregnancy. However, the exercisers remained more mobile and functional despite their symptoms.

Exercise is a powerful tool in the fight against pelvic pain during pregnancy. If you aren’t sure where to start, consult a pelvic physical therapist or a fitness expert with training in prenatal health.

Invest in supportive garments

Supportive maternity garments can help some pregnant people with pelvic pain. Many pregnant people with low back pain or PGP find that support garments reduce pain and improve their mobility.

A pelvic support belt can help stabilize the pelvic girdle for people with PGP. For people with lower abdominal pain (female), a belly band that supports the underside of the abdomen may prove more helpful.

Consider complementary therapies

Some complementary therapies, such as acupuncture, can help people with pelvic pain during pregnancy. A 2022 review found that acupuncture improved pain, disability, and quality of life for pregnant people with PGP.

Research supports the safety of acupuncture in most healthy pregnancies. Regardless, you should still consult your pregnancy care provider for clearance before adding new therapies to your routine.

When Should I Seek More Medical Care?

The strategies above are excellent options for relieving pelvic pain during pregnancy. However, there are some situations in which pelvic pain may mask something more dangerous.

Here are a few “red flag” symptoms that should trigger a call to your pregnancy health care provider:

• Abdominal pain accompanied by vaginal bleeding.
• Complete loss of bladder or bowel control.
• Lower abdominal pain and cramping just above the pubic bone, especially before 20 weeks of pregnancy.
• Numbness and loss of feeling in the legs.
• Numbness in the “saddle region” (the genitals and lower buttocks).
• Vague pain in the middle of your belly that gradually shifts to your lower right abdomen.
• Worsening pain that feels like it’s deep in one or both hip joints.

Even if you aren’t experiencing any of these red-flag symptoms, it’s important to notify your pregnancy provider if you’re having new pain. They know your unique case and can advise you on managing your symptoms.

Editor's Note: This article was originally published on February 18, 2025, and was last reviewed on January 13, 2026.