Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy: Causes, Relief, and When to See a Chiropractor

Aug 6

5 min read

If you're pregnant and dealing with a deep ache, sharp twinge, or general instability around your hips and pelvis, you're not imagining it — and you're far from alone. Pelvic pain is one of the most common pregnancy complaints, affecting a significant portion of pregnant women at some point, and it's also one of the most under-discussed.

If you've searched "pelvic pain during pregnancy" hoping for real answers instead of just "that's normal, hang in there," this guide is for you.

Pregnant woman in a striped shirt sits on a bed, holding her lower back in a bright bedroom, looking uncomfortable.

Why Pelvic Pain Happens During Pregnancy

Your pelvis is doing quiet, enormous work throughout pregnancy. As your body prepares for birth, a hormone called relaxin loosens the ligaments supporting your pelvic joints — a healthy, necessary adaptation. But that same loosening can create instability, uneven weight distribution, and strain, especially as your growing baby shifts your center of gravity.

Common contributors include:

Ligament laxity from relaxin, which can allow more movement than your joints are used to stabilizing
Postural shifts as your center of gravity moves forward
Muscle imbalances, especially in the hips, glutes, and core
Pelvic misalignment, where one side of the pelvis sits differently than the other, adding uneven strain
Prior injury or asymmetry that becomes more noticeable as your body carries more weight and moves differently

This kind of pain is sometimes called pelvic girdle pain (PGP) or symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD), depending on where it's centered. Whatever it's called, the common thread is usually the same: your pelvis is working harder to stabilize a body that's changing quickly.

What Pelvic Pain During Pregnancy Feels Like

Every pregnancy is different, but common descriptions include:

A deep ache in the low back or across the hips
Sharp pain when rolling over in bed, getting out of a car, or climbing stairs
A feeling of instability or "giving way" in the pelvis when walking
Pain centered at the pubic bone, especially with movements that separate the legs
Discomfort that's worse by the end of the day or after standing for long periods

If any of this sounds familiar, it's worth knowing: this is common, it's not something you have to just push through, and there are real options for relief.

Practical Relief You Can Try Today

Before we get to how chiropractic care can help, here are steps you can start using right now, between appointments or while you decide what support is right for you:

1. Sleep with a pillow between your knees. This keeps your pelvis in better alignment overnight and reduces strain when you shift positions. A firm body pillow works well for many women.

2. Move symmetrically when getting in and out of the car or bed. Keep your knees together and pivot your whole body as one unit, rather than twisting through your pelvis.

3. Avoid activities that force your legs wide apart. Wide squats, straddle stretches, and certain yoga poses can aggravate pubic pain — modify or skip these until your pelvis feels more stable.

4. Try a supportive maternity belt. A well-fitted pelvic support belt can reduce strain by providing external stability while your ligaments are more lax than usual.

5. Take frequent movement breaks. If your pain worsens with prolonged standing or sitting, changing position every 20–30 minutes can prevent pain from building throughout the day.

6. Practice a slow, supported exhale before standing up. Bracing gently through your core and exhaling as you rise can reduce the jolt of pain some women feel when transitioning from sitting to standing.

These steps can help manage symptoms, but they don't address the underlying alignment and nervous system patterns often driving the pain in the first place — that's where chiropractic care comes in.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help With Pelvic Pain

At Vertically Sourced, pelvic pain during pregnancy is most often addressed through the

Webster Technique — a specific, gentle chiropractic protocol focused on sacral and pelvic alignment. Rather than forcing structure into place, Webster Technique care works to reduce imbalance and tension in the ligaments and muscles supporting the pelvis, which many women experience as meaningful relief in how stable and comfortable their body feels.

Because pain and nervous system state are closely connected, care is often paired with

Network Spinal, a gentle approach that supports your nervous system's ability to settle. A body that's chronically braced or on alert often holds more physical tension — so supporting the nervous system can be part of supporting physical comfort too.

To be clear about what we can and can't promise: chiropractic care won't eliminate the hormonal changes causing ligament laxity, and every pregnancy responds differently. What we can offer is a gentle, individualized approach focused on reducing unnecessary strain and imbalance, so your body has an easier time adapting to the changes already underway.

When Should You See a Chiropractor for Pelvic Pain?

There's no need to wait until pain becomes severe. Many women start care as soon as discomfort appears — often in the second trimester, when relaxin levels rise and the growing belly shifts posture more noticeably. Others begin in the third trimester once pain has built up. Both are valid starting points, and earlier care often means less time spent in discomfort overall.

See your OB or midwife promptly if pelvic pain is accompanied by fever, bleeding, sudden severe pain, or reduced fetal movement — these warrant medical evaluation, not just chiropractic care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is pelvic pain during pregnancy normal? It's common, but "common" doesn't mean you have to just live with it. Many women find meaningful relief through targeted care, postural adjustments, and support.

Will pelvic pain go away after birth? For many women, yes — as relaxin levels decrease and ligaments regain their pre-pregnancy tension. Postpartum chiropractic care can support that recovery process, especially if pain or imbalance lingers.

Is chiropractic care safe for pelvic pain during pregnancy? Yes. The Webster Technique is a low-force, non-invasive approach specifically appropriate for pregnancy. Dr. Shea will always review your history and current symptoms before beginning care.

How many visits will I need? This varies by individual — your current level of pain, how far along you are, and how your body responds all factor in. Dr. Shea builds a plan specific to you rather than a generic protocol.

Prenatal Chiropractic Care in Wheat Ridge, Golden, Arvada, and Louisville, CO

Dr. Shea Osuna, DC, is a Webster Technique Certified prenatal chiropractor helping pregnant women throughout Wheat Ridge, Golden, Arvada, Lakewood, Louisville, and the greater Denver metro area find real relief from pelvic pain and other pregnancy discomfort — with care that respects both your body and your questions.