Symphysis pubis dysfunction is a common name for pain around the front of the pelvis during pregnancy, but pain may also affect the back of the pelvic girdle. The broader term, pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PGP), describes pain that can make walking, standing, sitting, or changing position difficult. It is worth raising with your maternity care team rather than assuming you simply have to put up with it.
How pelvic girdle pain may feel
PGP can be felt near the joints at the back of the pelvis, around the pubic bone at the front, or in both areas. It may spread into the back of the thigh. Some people notice that standing, walking, or sitting becomes harder to tolerate. The pattern varies, so pain in one particular spot cannot confirm the cause on its own.
The term “symphysis pubis dysfunction,” often shortened to SPD, can sound as though the problem must be limited to the pubic joint. PGP is a wider description that includes pain around the back of the pelvis as well. Neither label tells you how severe your symptoms will be. Pain and reduced function deserve attention even when they occur during pregnancy.
What assessment for symphysis pubis dysfunction involves
A clinician will consider where you feel pain, what movements make it worse, and how it affects daily activities. Assessment may include specific physical tests to see whether familiar pain can be reproduced. Clinicians also consider other possible causes, including problems arising from the lower back, before diagnosing PGP.
A 2013 review by E.H. Verstraete, G. Vanderstraeten, and W. Parewijck discussed research conducted in Western countries. The authors described PGP as a varied condition and proposed that assessment should help identify different presentations so care can be tailored. They also noted that the cause is not fully clear: hormonal influences have been suggested, but the review described the evidence for a role of relaxin as low. That means a simple explanation such as “pregnancy hormones loosened the joints” should not be treated as a confirmed cause in an individual case.
Tell your midwife, obstetric clinician, doctor, or other maternity care provider if pain is limiting movement or everyday tasks. The review proposed that a midwife or obstetric clinician could make an initial assessment and refer on for further evaluation. The exact care pathway and professional titles differ by country, but you can ask who locally assesses pregnancy-related pelvic pain and whether a physiotherapist with relevant experience is available.
What may help, and what is not settled
The review describes care tailored to the person rather than one exercise plan for everyone. Its proposed approach includes a physiotherapist and an individualized exercise program that takes account of physical, psychological, and social factors. This supports discussing your particular movements, symptoms, and daily demands with a clinician instead of trying to push through pain or copying a generic routine.
If you are considering a pregnancy pelvic support belt, ask a clinician or physiotherapist whether it suits your symptoms and how to use it. The 2013 review does not establish that a belt works for everyone, so it should not replace assessment or an individualized plan. Treatment choices should reflect your own presentation and circumstances.
When pelvic pain after birth needs follow-up
PGP can occur during or after pregnancy, so giving birth does not guarantee that pain will immediately disappear. If pelvic pain continues after birth, is getting worse, or is still interfering with walking and other daily activities, contact your healthcare provider for follow-up. You do not need to wait for a particular time point if you are concerned or struggling to function.
The review emphasizes that persistent symptoms can involve pain and disability, but it does not provide a single recovery timetable that applies to everyone. A fresh assessment can help clarify what is contributing to your symptoms and whether your care plan needs to change. Seek clinical advice for significant or concerning pain during pregnancy or after birth rather than trying to diagnose it from the location alone.