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Understanding pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP)
PPGP is a specific category of pelvic girdle pain (PGP) impacting those in the perinatal period and differs in its aetiology as it is related to pregnancy and associated biopsychosocial influences. PGP in pregnancy and through the first postpartum year is common and combined with low back pain is estimated to occur in 56%–72% of antepartum people with 20% reporting severe symptoms during 20–30 weeks’ gestation and 33%–50% reporting symptoms before 20 weeks’ gestation.1 2 PPGP is a significant cause of disability, reduced quality of life and early medical leave from work. People who experience more persistent symptoms in pregnancy can be at risk for poorer long-term outcomes.3 Lack of belief in resolution, increased emotional distress and pain severity have potential for persistent PGP after pregnancy.1 4 Early intervention in pregnancy and instiling the belief that it can improve will create a better long-term prognosis.
The challenge of biomechanical bias
Despite mounting evidence of the role that psychosocial and physiological factors play, PGP continues to be mainly understood and treated as a purely biomechanical issue. However, congruent with broader literature examining lumbopelvic pain more globally, PPGP must be understood along with the evolution of contemporary pain science regarding the multifaceted nature of pain and the context of each pregnant person’s unique lived experience.5 6 …
Footnotes
Contributors JA, JP and SD identified a need for this work and conceptualised the original idea for this infographic. JP, AS, SB and JA brainstormed the original myths and facts. JP and AS drafted the original manuscript with significant supporting research from all authors. JP, AS, SB, JA and SD all made substantial contributions to the revision of the manuscript prior to submission. JP created the infographic with the supporting research of all authors and digital icon creation by Josh Pulsifer. All authors consented to the final version of the manuscript.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests SB and SD deliver privately hosted educational courses on Pregnancy-Related Pelvic Girdle Pain.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
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