I know pregnancy is uncomfortable at times. From my first I expected tiredness, heartburn, the odd sleepless night thanks to the wonder that is pregnancy insomnia.
What I didn’t expect was how much pelvic girdle pain would take over the final stretch — quietly, persistently, and completely unapologetically. Right now, it’s the thing that defines my days. Not in a dramatic way — just in the way that makes everything feel harder.
“Pelvic girdle pain doesn’t just hurt — it quietly reshapes how you move through your days.“
What Pelvic Girdle Pain Actually Feels Like
Pelvic girdle pain (PGP) doesn’t always announce itself loudly. It sneaks in through everyday moments: 
Standing up from the sofa.
Getting out of bed.
Walking across a car park.
Putting trousers on one leg at a time.
It’s a deep, aching discomfort around the pelvis, hips, lower back and sometimes radiating into the backs of my legs. For me, it feels like my body is asking me to move slower — and then reminding me sharply when I don’t. Some days it’s manageable. Other days, it’s the first thing I notice when I wake up and the last thing I feel before bed.
Why the Third Trimester Feels Particularly Tough
By the third trimester, everything feels heavier — physically and emotionally. Your body has been adapting for months, hormones have softened joints and ligaments, your centre of gravity has shifted AND there’s a baby growing, stretching, pressing, preparing.
Pelvic girdle pain doesn’t just hurt — it limits. It turns simple independence into something you have to think about:
- Can I walk there?
- Can I carry this?
- How long can I stand?
- Will I pay for this later?
The Emotional Side No One Talks About Enough
This part surprised me- The frustration, the guilt and the constant calculation of what I can and can’t do. I hate needing help with things I normally wouldn’t think twice about. I hate having to slow down when life doesn’t always allow for it. And some days, I hate how disconnected I feel from my own body — like it’s no longer fully cooperating with me.
Parenting While in Pain
Doing this while already being a mum adds another layer. Toddlers don’t pause because your pelvis hurts (although Little P has been a darling giving me a leg rub or playing the songs on her toy and doing a dance to make it feel better, WHAT A DARLING!!), they still want / need lifting, carrying, climbing, cuddles on demand.
I’ve found myself negotiating with my body constantly — choosing which movements matter most, which moments are worth the discomfort. The guilt creeps in when I have to say no or ask for help.
Trying Acupuncture: A Gentle Step Forward
Last week, I had my first acupuncture session and i am returning today. I went in with cautious hope — not expecting miracles, just something to take the edge off. Something to make the days feel a little more manageable. The session itself was calm, grounding, and surprisingly relaxing. Lying there, still for once, felt like permission to rest — something my body has been asking for.
It’s too early to say exactly how much it will help long-term, but I’m committed to continuing through the final stretch. Even small improvements would feel significant right now.
What I’m Learning to Do Differently
Pelvic girdle pain has forced me to rethink how I move through the day-
- Slowing down more intentionally
- Avoiding unnecessary strain
- Asking for help without explaining myself
- Sitting on furniture that doesn’t seem to trigger it
And perhaps hardest of all — I’m letting go of the idea that pushing through is somehow noble. This isn’t weakness, it’s adaptation.
Holding Onto the Bigger Picture
As uncomfortable as this season is, I keep reminding myself: it’s temporary. It’s not easy or small but temporary. This body is still doing something extraordinary, even on the days it feels unreliable.
I’m hopeful that acupuncture will help carry me through the last stretch. And until then, I’m taking each day as it comes — slower, softer, and with a little more grace than I might have allowed myself before.
Author’s Note:
If you’re reading this and nodding along, I want you to know this:
You’re not imagining it.
You’re not overreacting.
You’re not failing at pregnancy.
Pelvic girdle pain is real, valid, and deeply impactful — especially in the later stages. You deserve support, understanding, and relief wherever it can be found.
Whether that’s physiotherapy, acupuncture, rest, adjustments, or simply being kinder to yourself — it all counts.
