Pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy: Types, symptoms, and management

Region involved	Risk factors	Symptoms	Management
Pubic symphysis pain	Fetal macrosomia Precipitous labor Forceps	Suprapubic pain and tenderness Pain radiates to the legs, hips, or back Pain worse with weight-bearing	Analgesics Physical therapy Supports Injections Acupuncture Consider MRI after 6 weeks
Sacroiliac joint pain	Parity Previous low back pain Obesity	Stabbing pain in the sacroiliac joint (unilateral or bilateral) May radiate to posterior thigh Pain worse with weight-bearing	Analgesics Physical therapy Supports Injections Acupuncture Consider MRI after 6 weeks
Pelvic girdle pain	Increasing gestation Obesity	Involvement of sacroiliac joints and symphysis pubis Pain between posterior iliac crest and gluteal fold	Analgesics Physical therapy Supports Injections Acupuncture Consider MRI after 6 weeks

MRI: magnetic resonance imaging.

Courtesy of Bonnie Bermas, MD.

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