Why Do Pregnant Women Get Back Pain and Pelvic Pain?
Here’s What You Need to Know
Back and pelvic pain during pregnancy is very common — but that doesn’t mean you have to suffer through it in silence or believe it’s “just part of being pregnant.” In fact, there’s a lot we can do to manage it effectively.
At Bernard Chiropractic, Maria Bernard and her team have been caring for pregnant women for over 35 years, and we want to help you understand:
why this back pain happens
how it can affect you
what you can do about it!
💡 Start getting your low back checked Before You're Pregnant!
If you’re planning to have a baby, start looking after your back health now. Research shows that previous back issues — even from years ago — can increase your risk of pregnancy-related back or pelvic pain.
You may be more likely to experience back pain during pregnancy if you’ve had:
Previous back or pelvic pain
Have an old injury or trauma
Multiple pregnancies
Physically demanding work (especially lifting)
Poor core or pelvic stability
Poor fitness
On that note, a systematic/meta analysis (2019) into exercise and back pain in pregnancy concluded: compared with not exercising, prenatal exercise decreased the severity of low back pain, pelvic girdle pain and lumbo-pelvic girdle pain- during and following pregnancy.
However, exercise does not decrease the odds of any of these conditions at any time point.
📅 When Does Back Pain Begin?
Back pain can start at any stage in pregnancy — the first, second, or third trimester.
It may even begin before your first antenatal check-up. If you’re feeling discomfort early on, don’t wait — speak with your GP, midwife, or prenatal chiropractor.
⚠️ If back pain is combined with fever, cramping, vomiting, or bleeding, see your GP or obstetric team immediately.
📍 Where Do You Feel back pain?
Low back pain: From your lower ribs to the top of your buttocks.
Pelvic girdle pain (PGP): Around the front of your pelvis (pubic area) or in the back at your sacroiliac joints.
Referred pain or sciatic pain: Pain that travels into the hips, thighs, or legs.
You might feel this pain:
When walking, sitting, or standing
Turning in bed
Climbing stairs
Lifting your toddler
Even while doing daily tasks
🧠 Why Does This Happen?
Pregnancy changes everything — your posture, your hormones, your centre of gravity.
Hormones like relaxin make your ligaments softer and looser to prepare for birth.
Your muscles work harder to stabilise your joints.
The growing baby shifts how you move, adding strain to your spine and pelvis.
Your walking style changes, your feet may become flatter and less supportive of her knees hips and low back.
These changes are normal — but they can also cause pain, especially if your body’s neuro muscular biomechanics are “off balance.”
👶 Who Is Most at Risk?
Anyone can get pregnancy-related back pain, but it’s more likely if you:
Have had back pain before or in a previous pregnancy
Are carrying twins or more
Do a lot of lifting or standing at work
Have poor pelvic or core strength
Experience high levels of stress or anxiety
Even if you’re not in a high-risk group, 8 out of 10 pregnant women will experience back or pelvic pain at some point.
🔄 How Does This Affect Daily Life?
For some women, the pain is mild and manageable. For others, it’s severe enough to:
Make walking or sitting difficult
Interfere with sleep and rest
Reduce enjoyment of pregnancy
Cause emotional distress, anxiety, or depression
Impact work and family life
Increase the likelihood of needing assistance during labour
The sooner you address it, the better your outcomes.
🩺 What’s the Standard Prenatal Advice?
Usual care often includes:
Rest
Heat or cold packs
Gentle movement like walking or swimming
While these may help some women, they don’t go far enough for many. That’s where chiropractic care can play an important role.
🌿 How Chiropractic Care Can Help in Pregnancy
Chiropractic care is a safe, hands-on, drug-free option for managing pregnancy-related back and pelvic pain.
At your first prenatal chiropractic visit, we’ll:
Take a full health and pregnancy history
Assess posture, alignment, and movement
Check how your muscles are coping with the extra strain
Identify whether your pain is musculoskeletal or needs referral to another provider
If appropriate, we’ll develop a personalised care plan that may include:
· Gentle spinal and pelvic adjustments
· Myofascial (muscle) therapy and massage
· Pregnancy-safe stretches and exercises
· Support belts or taping as needed
· Advice on posture, movement, and stress management
· Check your feet for stability and support
In our chiropractic clinic, we use special pillows and tables to make you are comfortable and supported throughout your visit.
✅ Is It Safe?
Yes — chiropractic care in pregnancy has an excellent safety record. All techniques are adapted for your gestation, and care is gentle, respectful, and personalised.
Research supports that chiropractic, when provided by an experienced practitioner,
reduces pain
improves movement
helps women prepare physically for birth.
🏃♀️ Movement Matters — Before and After Birth
Many women think they should rest when they’re in pain — but in most cases, the right kind of movement is exactly what the body needs.
We’ll guide you with safe exercises including:
Pelvic floor strengthening Kegel exercises
Core stability (to prevent diastasis recti)
Gentle stretching for your hips, glutes, and lower back
Functional movement to support lifting, walking, and daily life
You’ll also receive tips for posture, sitting, standing, lifting, and even sleeping — because your daily habits matter.
🍼 Postpartum Care Is Just as Important
After birth, your body needs time to heal — but it also needs support and advice on;
Feeding and carrying posture
Lifting and baby care ergonomics
Rebuilding strength safely
Reducing the risk of long-term pain or pelvic floor issues
Preparing your body for future pregnancies, if that’s part of your plan
🌟 Final Thoughts
Pregnancy and early motherhood are powerful, beautiful, and challenging. Your body is doing an incredible job — and it deserves support.
Whether you’re planning a pregnancy, currently pregnant, or recovering postpartum, chiropractic care can help you move better, feel stronger, and enjoy this journey with less pain and more confidence.
📞 Book your prenatal or postpartum assessment today: 9757 2018