Pain in the pubic area, what to do with it
Around the third trimester, some women begin to feel pain in the pubic area. The hormone relaxin is to blame, which helps the body prepare the pelvic bones for childbirth. At about 26 weeks, relaxin gradually begins to soften the fusion of pubic bones, cartilage and ligaments: all this is necessary for the child to pass safely through the birth canal [1].
In some cases, pain above the pubis can signal a urinary tract infection — but only a doctor can confirm this diagnosis. You should not self-medicate, including by use of herbal medicine: the effect of herbal preparations on the mother and the unborn baby has not yet been studied well enough [2].
How to relieve pain?
You can try to stabilize the load on the pelvis and lower back. This will help the maternity bandage [3] — a support belt or briefs with special elastic inserts. You cannot buy it yourself, the doctor should select the bandage and clearly explain the rules for its use.
There is also evidence that exercise for pregnant women that strengthens the muscles of the back, abdominals and pelvic floor can reduce pain, improve balance, and make the spine more stable [4]. But special pillows in this sense are practically useless (although they are still comfortable).
