Yes, walking with Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) is generally okay, but you need to modify how you walk by taking smaller steps, avoiding uneven surfaces, wearing supportive shoes, and not pushing through sharp pain, as prolonged or fast walking can worsen symptoms, though gentle, low-impact walking helps. Focus on staying active with gentle movement, but listen to your body and rest when needed, as PGP means reduced capacity for activities like walking.
What is Pelvic Girdle Pain?
The pain can be worse when you're: walking. going up or down stairs. standing on 1 leg (for example, when you're getting dressed)
Low-impact aerobic exercise also plays an important role in managing pelvic pain. Simple activities like walking or cycling help improve movement without putting pressure on the pelvic area, making them ideal for those managing pelvic pain through exercise.
You don't need to suffer with PGP. There are ways to manage PGP symptoms that are safe at any stage during or after your pregnancy. There are things that you can do yourself that may help you to feel better. However, if you're in pain you should speak to your midwife, GP, or healthcare professional as early as you can.
Difficulty with standing on one leg – failed load transfer – going from one leg to another. Difficulty turning over in bed - often the worst symptom. Decreased ability to do housework. Pain/discomfort with weight-bearing activities.
Signs and symptoms of PGP
PGP commonly involves discomfort felt over the pubic bone at the front – formerly known as Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) – or across one or both sides of the lower back. Pain may be experienced in all or some of the darker shaded areas shown on the diagrams.
Put a small support such as a cushion or rolled up towel at your lower back. This can help you to avoid slouching. Sit well back into the chair and take its full support. Do not perch on the edge as your muscles will tire more quickly.
If you're experiencing pelvic pain when you walk, it's often related to a musculoskeletal issue. That means the problem may lie in your bones, joints, muscles, or tendons. However, not all pelvic pain is mechanical—some causes involve inflammation, organ conditions, or other medical issues.
Weak pelvic floor symptoms often involve urinary issues (leaking urine with coughs/sneezes, urgency, incomplete emptying), bowel problems (constipation, fecal leakage, difficulty emptying), a feeling of pelvic pressure or heaviness (prolapse), and reduced sensation or pain during sex, because the muscles can't properly support organs or control flow, leading to incontinence and discomfort.
To avoid increasing pelvic girdle pain: • Don't push through pain. Take smaller steps when walking. Walk shorter distances. Reduce heavy lifting and pushing and pulling activities such as vacuuming.
For most people PGP symptoms improve soon after giving birth. For some it takes a few weeks or months. Around 1 in 10 women and birthing people have pain that lasts for some time. This can be frustrating and difficult when you have a newborn baby.
If you're prepared, and get good advice and support, PGP shouldn't cause you problems during labour. It's unlikely your obstetrician or midwife will recommend an induction or a caesarean section purely because you have PGP.
Signs and symptoms of appendicitis may include nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, sudden pain that begins around umbilicus and often radiates to lower right abdomen, pain that worsens while walking or making jarring movements with low-grade fever as the illness progresses.
In the case of PGP, many women find it is worse at night. This can often be due to the fact that your buttock muscles, which are the main stabilisers for your pelvis, are not very active at night-time as they are in a resting position. You have overdone it during the day without enough support around the pelvis.
Pelvic pain
As your baby gets into the birthing position, they press down on your pelvis, which can lead to worsening pain in your pubic region, lower back, hips, groin, thighs, or even knees [4]. This can make moving, walking, sleeping, or doing everyday activities painful and difficult.
Pelvic pain red flags signaling a medical emergency include severe, sudden pain with fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, heavy bleeding (especially if pregnant), fainting, or signs of shock (rapid heart rate, low blood pressure). Other serious indicators are persistent post-coital bleeding, a new pelvic mass, significant unexplained weight loss, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, or difficulty/pain with urination or bowel movements. These symptoms suggest serious underlying conditions like ectopic pregnancy, infection (PID, abscess), ovarian issues, or malignancy.
Low-impact aerobic exercise also plays an important role in managing pelvic pain. Simple activities like walking or cycling help improve movement without putting pressure on the pelvic area, making them ideal for those managing pelvic pain through exercise.
Vitamin D, vitamin E, and magnesium supplements may help to soothe chronic pelvic pain. Talk to you doctor before you decide to take any over-the-counter nutritional supplements. Herbs might also provide relief from chronic pain.
Take shorter steps, slow down the pace and try to walk without waddling. The waddling walk puts a lot of pressure through 1 leg and then the other as you waddle. If you can walk more smoothly it tends not to aggravate your pain. Walking with a good posture can be very helpful.
Pain and discomfort that may: Occur in the lower back, hips, or pubic area, sometimes radiating into the buttocks or thighs. Feel like clicking or grinding sensations in the pelvic region. Worsen with activities like walking, climbing stairs, or standing for extended periods.
Pelvic girdle pain, also known as PGP, is a general term for pain between the waist and the buttocks. You may also feel pain down the back of the leg towards the knee or into the groin area. PGP was previously known as symphysis pubis dysfunction, or SPD. having to sit down to get dressed.
When should I see my doctor? If you are experiencing back, pelvic or hip pain during pregnancy, you should see your doctor. Your doctor will ask you about your medical history and do a physical examination. They will work out whether your pain is due to PGP.
If you are experiencing pelvic girdle pain then gentler exercises may be more appropriate and feel more comfortable – this could be walking, swimming, or antenatal yoga/pilates. It is important to listen to your body and pace yourself, and it is recommended from 16 weeks that you do not exercise lying on your back.