Tel: 01 283 4303
Know your risk level and how best to self-manage pain in pregnancy
Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) is common in pregnancy with some studies[1] indicating as much as 33-50% of pregnant women will experience PGP before 20 weeks of gestation, possibly increasing to 60-70% prevalence in the late pregnancy stages.
Pelvic pain as well as associated low back pain can vary in severity and its degree of debilitation which does not necessarily subside postpartum.
Not all pregnant women develop PGP and some women are more susceptible than others. Women at higher risk may include those with a past history of PGP, lower back pain or any past pelvic trauma. Other contributing factors considered in some studies include high stress levels and psychological variables such as catastrophising and fear-avoidance beliefs[2].
Firstly, I feel compelled to point out that our food choices are personal and we all need to discover what works best for our own bodies which is not necessarily the easiest of tasks. Personally, my own journey of discovery is constantly aided, sometimes challenged, by picking up ideas and insights from other people. It is for this reason I 'follow' a number of health related websites, blogs, journals, etc. I recently came across two articles over on the primaldocs website related to the choices you can make about what to eat during pregnancy. These articles, referenced below, served as my inspiration for this blog post. I hope to inspire your curiosity on a topic that perhaps you may not have given important consideration to in preparation for your pregnancy.
Having gone through two pregnancies myself in the past three years I've had first hand and recent experience in dealing with the physical demands of pregnancy. Combining my own experience of back and pelvic pain with my knowledge and insights from my Physiotherapy practise I am able to offer you these ten top tips to help you cope.
