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Is it normal for your pelvic bone to pop during pregnancy?

Author

Sarah Oconnell

Published Mar 19, 2026

Is it normal for your pelvic bone to pop during pregnancy?

Symptoms. The main symptom is usually pain or discomfort in the pelvic region, usually centered on the joint at the front of the pelvis (the pubic symphysis). Some sufferers report being able to hear and feel the pubic symphysis and/or sacroiliac, clicking or popping in and out as they walk or change position.

Regarding this, is it normal for my pelvis to pop during pregnancy?

SPD is not harmful to your baby, but it can cause severe pain around your pelvic area. It is also common to hear a cracking or popping sensation in the lower back, hip or sacroiliac joint during walking or changing position. Don't suffer in silence, there is treatment to help!

One may also ask, when should I be concerned about pelvic pain during pregnancy? Head to the hospital if you're experiencing vaginal or pelvic pain in addition to other symptoms, including a fever, chills, or vaginal bleeding. There are serious causes for pelvic pain during pregnancy. These might include miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or preterm labor.

Consequently, why does my pubic bone hurt pregnant?

Pubic bone pain in pregnancy is fairly common. A condition known as symphysis pubis diastasis (SPD) often causes this pain. In later pregnancy, the hormone relaxin causes the pelvis, particularly at the pubic bone, to loosen. In general, this is a good thing: It makes birth easier for mom and baby.

What causes SPD in pregnancy?

The most common cause of SPD is pregnancy. It's thought that SPD affects up to 1 in 5 pregnant women to some extent. During pregnancy, hormones such as relaxin are released to loosen the ligaments and muscles in your: hips.

Is it OK to barely walk while pregnant?

During pregnancy, the growing baby causes a woman's center of gravity and posture to change. This, along with pregnancy hormones, can cause the pelvic joints to become unstable leading to a variety of mobility issues ranging from minor discomfort to significant pain and sometimes the inability to walk.

Can you feel baby low in pelvis?

A woman's pregnancy bump may look like it is sitting lower when the baby drops. As the baby drops into the pelvis, the pressure in this area may increase. This may cause a woman to feel like she is waddling when she walks. When the baby drops, some women may experience flashes of pelvic pain.

Can I click my back pregnant?

Cracking your back while you're pregnant is fine as long as it's done with caution. Be aware that discomfort you may feel in your back could be due to the weight and position of your baby. Cracking your back may be more difficult as your pregnancy progresses.

Can I harm my baby by sleeping on my stomach?

Laying on your stomach, particularly in the early days of pregnancy is unlikely to do your unborn baby any harm.

What happens when you sleep on your right side while pregnant?

The reason behind this is because the major blood vessels in the body (the aorta and the vena cava) run just next to the spine on the right side of the body. After about 20 weeks, the weight of the uterus can compress these vessels and decrease blood flow back to your heart and also to the baby.

Where is pelvic pain located during pregnancy?

Early in pregnancy, many women have pelvic pain. Pelvic pain refers to pain in the lowest part of the torso, in the area below the abdomen and between the hipbones (pelvis). The pain may be sharp or crampy (like menstrual cramps) and may come and go.

Can barely walk at 37 weeks pregnant?

Pelvic pain or pressure. Is your baby sitting lower in your pelvis these days? This dropping — also called lightening or engagement — can occur a few weeks before your baby is born, and you might notice it if you feel a little extra pressure on your lower abdomen. This pelvic pain can even make it hard for you to walk.

Is pubic bone pain a sign of labor?

The most common sign of labor is the increase in cramping associated with abdomen tightening or Braxton hicks. These early contractions usually start in the lower abdomen/pubic area and radiate towards the lower back.

Why is my pubic bone hurting?

Osteitis pubis [os-tee-EYE-tis PYOO-bis] is a condition in which the pubic bone or the surrounding tissues are inflamed and sore. This pain is most often related to complications from surgery but has also been found to occur in athletes. Early diagnosis of osteitis pubis is important to avoid further pubic bone stress.

Why does my pubic bone hurt when I walk?

There are several types of health conditions that can cause pelvic pain when you walk. In many cases, the cause of this type pain is related to your musculoskeletal system. This includes your bones, muscles, joints, and tendons. In other cases, the pain can also be associated with organs and tissues in your pelvis.

What happens to your pubic bone during pregnancy?

However when you are pregnant the relaxin hormone loosens and widens the joints at the front and back of the pelvis (SIJ and pubic symphysis) which reduces their stability and changes the efficiency of the muscles which attach around that region.

Does your pubic area swell when pregnant?

By the third trimester of pregnancy, your baby is gaining weight and dropping lower in your pelvis. The added pressure can lead to swelling of the genitals and perineum. At the same time, your perineum is starting to stretch in preparation for childbirth.

Where is the pubic bone on a female?

Pubis: This is at the front of the hip bone closest to the genitals. There is a joint between the two pubes bones called the pubic symphasis.

How much pelvic pain is normal in pregnancy?

Up to 80 percent of pregnant women experience pelvic pain at some point, mostly in that final trimester when stress on the pelvic region is especially intense.

Is it normal to feel your baby move in your pubic area?

However, sensations may also be felt by the woman in her pelvic area around her cervix, vagina, bladder and bottom (or anus). Once the baby is quite large, movements and pressure may also be felt in the woman's ribs, pubic bone and lower back.

How can I sleep with pelvic pain during pregnancy?

Sleeping with a pillow in between your legs at night time will help to reduce your pain. This will help to make sure that your pelvis doesn't rotate inwards too much. By placing a pillow in between the knees you keep the hips at the right height and reduce strain on the pelvis and gluteal muscles.

Is pelvic pain a sign of miscarriage?

What are the signs of miscarriage? The main signs of miscarriage, or that a person is about to miscarry, are pain and cramps in the pelvic area, and vaginal bleeding, which intensify as the miscarriage progresses.

When should I be concerned about pelvic pain?

If you suddenly develop severe pelvic pain, it might be a medical emergency and you should seek medical attention promptly. Be sure to get pelvic pain checked by your doctor if it's new, if it disrupts your daily life, or if it has gotten worse over time.

How can I relieve pelvic pain?

6 Ways to Ease Your Chronic Pelvic Pain
  1. Over-the-counter pain relievers. Taking ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a good first step for CPP relief.
  2. Get moving.
  3. Take the heat.
  4. Make a change.
  5. Try supplements.
  6. Relax.

How long does pelvic pain last?

Pelvic pain can be categorized as either acute, meaning the pain is sudden and severe, or chronic, meaning the pain either comes and goes or is constant, lasting for a period of months or longer. Pelvic pain that lasts longer than 6 months and shows no improvement with treatment is known as chronic pelvic pain.

Does SPD mean a big baby?

Obstetrician Leonie says:

SPD gets more common as a woman has more babies, but having a big baby doesn't increase your risk any more than having a smaller baby. SPD can be extremely debilitating and unfortunately there is no treatment that will cure it during pregnancy.

Does SPD make labor easier?

Basically SPD is of itself not a reason to fear a longer or a more difficult labour in fact some midwives feel that the SPD indicates a flexible pelvis which assists the labour to be shorter and easier. The main difficulty with SPD in labour is that it can be quite painful to open your legs wide.

Does SPD require bed rest?

The symptoms:

Occasionally, the pelvic joint may separate causing more intense pain. This is called symphyseal separation or diastasis of the symphysis pubis and can be acutely painful. Bed rest and heat are usually prescribed to manage this, with orthopaedic and physiotherapy assessments required.

How early can you get SPD in pregnancy?

SPD can really come on at any time during pregnancy,” she says. “But 12-14 weeks is usually when you have a peak in relaxin.

How do you treat SPD?

Sensory processing disorder treatment
  1. Sensory integration therapy (SI). This type of therapy uses fun activities in a controlled environment.
  2. Sensory diet. Many times, a sensory diet will supplement other SPD therapies.
  3. Occupational therapy.

How do I know if I have SPD in pregnancy?

What are the signs and symptoms of SPD? The most common symptoms are difficulty when walking and wrenching pain (as though your pelvis is tearing apart). Typically, the pain is focused on the pubic area, but in some women it radiates to the upper thighs and perineum.

How can I prevent SPD during pregnancy?

Pelvic floor exercises from early pregnancy are thought to reduce the risk of developing SPD. Deep abdominal exercises increase core stability, preventing the onset of pelvic and lower back pain. These exercises and others such as Pilates may prevent complications of SPD if performed before or early in pregnancy.

How do you prevent SPD?

These home remedies may also reduce SPD-related discomfort:
  1. placing a pillow between the legs when sleeping.
  2. avoiding sitting for too long.
  3. applying an ice pack to the pelvic area.
  4. staying active but avoiding any activities that cause pain.
  5. incorporating rest breaks every day.
  6. wearing supportive shoes.

What are the signs of SPD?

The signs of SPD in a highly sensitive child may include the following:
  • Feelings that a shade is pulled over the outside world.
  • Experiencing muted sights, sounds, and touch.
  • Frequent feelings of sensory overload.

How is SPD diagnosed?

Sensory processing disorder is a condition in which the brain has trouble receiving and responding to information that comes in through the senses. Formerly referred to as sensory integration dysfunction, it is not currently recognized as a distinct medical diagnosis.