SingaporeMotherhood | Pregnancy

June 2026

Pregnancy Aches and Pains: What’s Okay and When to Call Your Doctor

By Balvinder Sandhu

You’re expecting to glow, but instead you’re getting pregnancy aches and pains that make you feel more like an ah-ma than a blossoming fertility goddess. What gives? Is it just your body adjusting — as your uterus and thus, your belly expands as your foetus grows — or are these aches and pains in back, abdomen and legs something to be concerned about?

It’s more likely to be the former, Dr Clara Ong, obstetrician and gynaecologist at Parkway MediCentre assures us.

“Growing a brand new human in your body can be hard. Even in the most uneventful pregnancy, one may encounter various aches and pains.”

That said, you also need to listen to your body, and know what’s normal, and when you’ll need to call your doctor.

(See also: FEELING HOT & OVERHEATED WHILE PREGNANT? HERE’S WHAT’S NORMAL (AND WHAT ISN’T))

First Trimester Pregnancy Aches and Pains

Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain occurs in 20% of women, usually starting late in the first trimester. It starts from the top of your hip bones down to the fold of your buttocks, either in the front or back. The pain usually resolves about a month postpartum, and 80% of women fully recover within six months of delivery.

Why it happens

Pregnancy hormones relax the ligaments holding your pelvic bones together. Weight gain and the change in your centre of gravity during pregnancy can also contribute to pelvic pain.

“I suffered major hip and buttock pain with both my pregnancies due. In my 34th week when I was expecting my second girl, I over-strained it at one point after standing for too long. I was in so much pain that I was limping and couldn’t even turn myself over in bed! Seeing a chiropractor helped a little, as did as much bed rest as possible.” — Li Ruifang, 35-year-old hawker and mother to four-year-old Kyra and one-month-old Ella

What you can do

• Wear pregnancy girdles, bands and belts.
• Use pillows to support your belly and hips.
• Work with a physical therapist.
• Acupuncture has been used but with inconsistent results.
• Pain relievers such as acetaminophen are safe in pregnancy.
• Avoid activities such as heavy lifting, standing or walking for prolonged periods.
• When getting out of bed, roll to your side instead of sitting straight up.
• Practise good posture.
• Apply ice or heat to painful areas, but do not use heat in the front where your uterus is.

Seek help immediately if you

• Have vaginal bleeding or are leaking watery fluid.
• Have pain that gets progressively worse.

Second Trimester Pregnancy Aches and Pains

Wrist Pain

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common cause of hand and wrist pain in pregnancy. It can occur in up to 30% of pregnant women. The symptoms are typically worse at night and more common in the latter half of pregnancy. Often, they resolve in a. few weeks after delivery. However, symptoms may continue for several months in women who are breastfeeding.

Why it happens

Pregnancy-related fluid retention leads to nerve compression in the carpal tunnel. Hormonal changes affecting the musculoskeletal system may also play a role.

What you can do

• Identify and limit activities that tend to aggravate the syndrome, such as keyboard typing.
• Do hand and wrist exercises which may help relieve your symptoms.
• Make adjustments to your workstation such as adjusting the height of your desk chair so your wrists don’t bend downward as you type.
• Take short breaks from repetitive work to move your arms and stretch your hands.
• Wearing wrist splints or hand brace to stabilise the wrist in a neutral position.

Seek help immediately if

• Your symptoms are worsening. E.g., if you have constant muscle weakness or lose sensation in your hands.

(See also: 11 BEST PRE- AND POSTNATAL PILATES CLASSES IN SINGAPORE FOR PREGNANCY & POSTPARTUM RECOVERY)

Third Trimester Pregnancy Aches and Pains

Back Pain

The most common complaint when it comes to pregnancy aches and pains, more than 60 per cent of pregnant women experience lower back pain. This usually starts in the latter half of your pregnancy and resolves after delivery in 80% to 95% of women.

Why it happens

Your growing uterus changes your centre of gravity and puts strain on your back. Your abdominal muscles are looser and weaker. Pregnancy hormones also loosen your joints and relax the ligaments at your spine, contributing to the pain.

“I suffered from lower back pains often. I made sure I had good support when sitting and sleeping and didn’t stay in one position for too long.” – Ling Tan, 34-year-old stay-at-home mum to two kids aged three years and eight months

What you can do

• Wear shoes with good arch support.
• Get help when lifting heavy objects.
• Place a board between the mattress and box spring if your bed is too soft.
• The lifting things, squat with your knees bent and keep the back straight.
• Sit in chairs with good back support, or use a small pillow to provide support for your lower back.
• Sleep on your left side with pillows between the knees for support.
• Apply heat, cold, or massage to the painful area.
• If it is necessary to stand or sit for a prolonged period, take breaks and place one foot on a low stool to relieve pressure on the lower back.
• Perform back exercises such as pelvic tilts or arm and leg lifts after discussion with your doctor.

(See also: HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT FOOTWEAR TO SUPPORT YOUR PREGNANCY)

Seek help immediately if you

• Experience weakness in your legs or lose sensation in your buttocks, groin or genital area.
• Are unable to control your bowel movement or have urinary incontinence.
• Have increased pain with coughing, sneezing or straining.
• Have a fever or a burning sensation when you pass urine.
• Have severe pain, and it gets progressively worse.
• Have vaginal bleeding.

(See also: 4 WAYS TO CALM YOUR MIND AND PREPARE FOR LABOUR AND CHILDBIRTH)

Leg Cramps

Leg cramps are common in the later part of pregnancy. Most women experience them in the calves at night. The exact cause is unknown.

“I had leg cramps and, like many other women, swollen feet and ankles when I neared my due date. Luckily it was a mild and I soothed the aches by massaging the areas and soaking my feet in warm water.” — Dawn N, 38-year-old account manager, mother of a six-year-old

What you can do

• Stretch, stay physically active, wear comfortable shoes, and drink plenty of fluids.
• If leg cramps wake you up from bed, stretch your calf muscles immediately by straightening your leg, heel first and gently flexing your toes back toward your shins. Do not point your toes while stretching.
• Massaging your calves or having a warm bath or shower may help.
• Research has shown a possible benefit to magnesium supplements. But check with your doctor before taking any kind of supplement during pregnancy.

(See also: SWELLING (EDEMA) IN PREGNANT WOMEN)

Featured image: Depositphotos

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