Butt pain during pregnancy: Everything you need to know

From medicalnewstoday.com

During pregnancy, a woman can expect to feel some new aches and pains, due to changes that the body is undergoing. Butt pain is common and normal during pregnancy, and it can result from several factors.

As the foetus and uterus grow, they put pressure on the hips, back, and buttocks. Buttocks pain can also stem from pregnancy complications and unrelated medical issues.
No matter the cause, talk to a doctor about any new pain that arises during pregnancy. A doctor can often help develop a treatment plan to relieve any bothersome symptoms.
Below, learn more about the causes of buttocks pain during pregnancy, as well as possible treatments and home remedies.

Causes

Buttocks pain during pregnancy can either be referred pain — which originates elsewhere in the body and radiates to the buttocks — or it can result from problems in the area.
The following are some possible causes of buttocks pain during pregnancy:

Haemorrhoids

It is common for women to develop haemorrhoids during pregnancy.

Haemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower rectum or anus.
As the uterus expands during the second and third trimesters, it puts more pressure and strain on the anus, which can cause haemorrhoids to form.
Constipation and standing for long periods can increase the likelihood of developing haemorrhoids during pregnancy.
Haemorrhoids can cause:

• anal aches and pain
• itching around the anus
• bleeding during bowel movements
• a tender lump to form in the anus

Sciatica

The sciatic nerve runs from the buttocks down the leg. During pregnancy, the expanding uterus and growing foetus can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing a condition called sciatica.
People with sciatica often experience pain in the buttocks. In addition, a person may feel a burning sensation in the leg, butt, and back, as well as a sharp pain in the leg.

Pelvic girdle pain

Pelvic girdle pain affects about 1 in 5 pregnant women. A combination of extra baby weight and movement during pregnancy is often the cause.
Pelvic girdle pain can cause pain in the buttocks, in addition to:

• difficulty walking
• a clicking or grinding in the pelvic region
• pain during sex
• pain when walking
• pain when the weight is all on one leg
• difficulty lying on one side of the body for long periods

Pelvic girdle pain can start anytime between the first and third trimesters. It may develop only in the final days of pregnancy.

Contractions

Contractions are the body's way of moving the foetus out of the body. Genuine contractions occur during the last part of the third trimester, just before birth. Some women feel contraction pain in the buttocks.

Other symptoms associated with contractions include:

• bloody or brown discharge from the vagina
• lower back and abdomen pain
• the water breaking

Prior to labour, many women experience false contractions, known as Braxton-Hicks contractions. These can be painful but — unlike real contractions — they do not occur at regular intervals that are increasingly frequent.

Diagnosis

A doctor will ask about symptoms and whether anything makes them better or worse.
In some cases, a visual examination is enough to determine whether a person has haemorrhoids.
Other tests, such as a blood or urine analysis or imaging tests, can also help a doctor determine the underlying cause of the pain.

When to see a doctor

Anytime a pregnant woman experiences unexplained pain, she should speak to a doctor or another healthcare professional.
During pregnancy, a woman should call a doctor or go to the hospital if she experiences:

• the water breaking
• pain that causes nausea
• a loss of control over the bowels or bladder
• pain that does not get better
• copious blood loss from a haemorrhoid

Treatments and home remedies

There are several potential treatment options for buttocks pain during pregnancy. Some common treatments include:

• over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications that are safe to use during pregnancy, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), which is available for purchase online
• haemorrhoid creams and ointments
• prescription pain relievers for more severe pain

It is essential to speak with a doctor about which medications are safe to use. Some, including aspirin and ibuprofen, can be harmful. Some women wish to avoid using certain other drugs during pregnancy.
For mild pain or if a woman wishes to avoid medical intervention, home remedies may help.

Home remedies for butt pain during pregnancy include:

• using witch hazel for haemorrhoids, such as these available for purchase online
• sitting in warm (not hot) water for haemorrhoids
• eating fibre to help avoid constipation
• avoiding standing or sitting for long periods of time
• sleeping with a pillow under the belly and between the legs
• light stretching

If pelvic girdle pain causing pain in the buttocks, it may help to use a foam roller or do stretches to help loosen tight hips. A range of foam rollers is available for purchase online.
If sciatica is causing the pain, the stretches in this article have been specifically designed to relieve sciatica pain during pregnancy.

Prevention

While it is not always possible to prevent pain in the buttocks during pregnancy, a woman may be able to reduce the risk by:

• avoiding constipation with a diet high in fibre
• staying hydrated to avoid preterm contractions
• if possible, staying active during pregnancy
• stretching the muscles in the back, buttocks, and legs

Outlook

For the most part, buttocks pain during pregnancy is not a major cause for concern. Home remedies can often help relieve common causes of the pain, such as haemorrhoids or the extra weight of pregnancy.
However, if there is no obvious cause, see a doctor. It is especially important to consult a doctor about pain that is severe, new, or persistent.

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