By the third trimester, when the uterine volume and the weight of the belly is noticeable, pain and cramps in the groin are frequent in pregnant women .
These cramps usually occur when we are standing or walking, and are very painful. In some cases, difficulty walking may occur due to stabbing pain that extends from the pelvis to the inner thigh.
The pubic and groin area , like the legs, suffer from the pressure exerted by the uterus on the blood vessels that carry blood back from the legs to the heart, and on the nerves that connect the trunk with the legs.
Pubalgia in pregnancy
Pubalgia, or pain in the pubis , is a pregnancy discomfort that appears in approximately 30 percent of women, and five percent of them suffer severe pain.
The causes of this pain are due to increased body volume and weight, postural changes and hormonal changes during pregnancy. Our body produces a hormone called relaxin, which softens the pelvic ligaments so that the baby can pass through the pelvis more easily. As a consequence, these joints move more during pregnancy, which could contribute to pain in the pubic and groin area, which sometimes radiates.
These three circumstances cause the joints to suffer and pain appears, which is aggravated when walking, climbing stairs, turning in bed or getting in the car. It can even appear while lying down or at rest.
The pain is of variable intensity, appears in the pubic area and can extend to the lower back, hips and groin area.
How to relieve pain
- Avoid spending a lot of time on your feet.
- Avoid accumulating too much fatigue.
- If pain appears, sit down and relax the area so the cramping stops.
- We can also try to relax the cramp by gently massaging the muscles or applying a warm cloth.
- Get moderate exercise during pregnancy, such as walking, yoga, or swimming, so your muscles aren’t sluggish.
- Avoid lifting excessive weight.
- Avoid wearing heels.
- They sleep with a cushion between their legs to soothe the area.
There are also several options that we can use to try to relieve or reduce pelvic pain, such as consulting a physiotherapist or using a support belt or support belt.
Pain and cramps in the groin usually go away without medical treatment, but they can be a sign of a more serious problem. We will have to go to the specialist if the pain is frequent and severe or if we notice redness, heat, swelling or discomfort in the groin or legs.
In Babies and more | How to prevent back pain during pregnancy?
