The short explanation
Back pain and pain at the back or front of the pelvis are very common in pregnancy. Hormones loosen the ligaments that hold the pelvic joints, the growing bump shifts your centre of balance, and posture changes, all of which strain the back. Pelvic girdle pain, which hurts when walking, climbing stairs, turning in bed or standing on one leg, affects many women and can be eased. Things that help include keeping active with gentle movement, wearing flat supportive footwear, sitting with back support, keeping knees together when getting out of bed or a vehicle, sleeping on your side with a pillow between the knees, and avoiding lifting heavy things. A physiotherapist can teach exercises and, if needed, suggest a support belt.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Pain that comes and goes in a rhythm, with tightening of the belly, can be early labour, not back pain.
- Back pain with fever, burning urine or pain in the side can be a kidney infection.
- Many government hospitals have physiotherapy departments; ask your antenatal clinic for a referral.
- Do not take painkillers without checking which are suitable in pregnancy.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This cannot tell you what is causing your pain. A clinician who examines you can tell back pain apart from pelvic girdle pain, infection or labour.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Could this be pelvic girdle pain, and can I see a physiotherapist?
- Which pain relief is suitable for me in pregnancy?
- Would a support belt help?
- Which kinds of pain should make me come in straight away?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if back pain comes with bleeding, fluid leaking, numbness in the legs or around the private parts, or loss of bladder or bowel control.
Get help the same day
- Get care the same day if back pain comes with fever, burning urine, or regular tightening before thirty-seven weeks.
Book an appointment soon
- See your clinician within a few days if pain is stopping you from walking or sleeping.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Mention back and pelvic pain at your routine antenatal visit and ask about physiotherapy.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Pregnancy MedlinePlus (NIH)
- Prenatal care MedlinePlus (NIH)
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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