No, it is not normal to experience pain during pregnancy. While you may feel some discomfort from your baby pushing on your ribs or bladder, you should never be in pain. Many providers might tell you that pain is “normal,” but if that were true, why do only about 50% of pregnant women experience it?
If you’re feeling pain, it’s important to seek help sooner rather than later. The longer you wait, the worse it can get, making it harder and more time-consuming to manage.
Common causes of pain during pregnancy include muscle imbalances, weakness, hormonal changes that affect your joints, and shifts in posture or walking patterns. These issues are often more noticeable in women experiencing their second (or more) pregnancies or carrying multiples.
What can you do about it? Get a pelvic floor physical therapist on your team! A pelvic floor PT will assess your whole body to find the root cause of your pain and treat it. They’ll also prescribe corrective exercises to help stabilize your body, preventing pain from returning or even occurring in the first place.
