Pelvic Floor Support During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, hormonal changes, posture shifts and increasing load place extra demand on the pelvic floor, hips and lower back. Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help manage symptoms such as leaking, heaviness, pelvic pain, hip pain and lower back pain through tailored exercises, breathing and movement strategies - including via safe, effective online consultations.

If this sounds familiar

During pregnancy, you may notice:

• Leaking urine when sneezing, coughing or moving
• A feeling of heaviness or pressure in the pelvis
• Pelvic pain or discomfort
• Hip pain, particularly at night or when walking
• Lower back pain that worsens as pregnancy progresses
• Difficulty activating or relaxing your pelvic floor
• Uncertainty about what exercises are safe

These symptoms are common - but they are not something you simply have to put up with.

Why pregnancy affects the pelvic floor, hips and lower back

Pregnancy changes how your body manages load and pressure.

Key factors include:

• Hormonal effects increasing joint and tissue flexibility
• Postural changes as your centre of gravity shifts
• Increased abdominal pressure on the pelvic floor
• Altered breathing and core strategies
• Changes in how the hips and pelvis transfer load
• Reduced support from fatigued or poorly coordinated muscles

The pelvic floor, hips and lower back work as a connected system. When one area is overloaded or not functioning well, others often become painful or symptomatic.

Common pregnancy-related symptoms pelvic floor physio can help with

Pelvic floor physiotherapy in pregnancy commonly supports:

• Stress incontinence (leaking with movement)
• Pelvic heaviness or early prolapse symptoms
• Pelvic girdle pain
• Hip pain (side, deep or front-of-hip pain)
• Lower back pain
• Difficulty with walking, rolling in bed or standing up
• Preparing the pelvic floor for birth and recovery

How hip and lower back pain link to the pelvic floor

Hip and lower back pain in pregnancy are often related to:

• Reduced pelvic floor support during load transfer
• Poor coordination between breathing, core and pelvic floor
• Over-tension in the pelvic floor and surrounding muscles
• Compensation patterns that strain the hips or lumbar spine

Pelvic floor physiotherapy addresses these patterns by improving how your body manages movement and pressure — not just by prescribing isolated exercises.

Can pelvic floor physiotherapy be done online during pregnancy?

Yes - and it is commonly used.

Online pelvic floor physiotherapy is appropriate during pregnancy because it focuses on:

• Detailed symptom assessment
• Breathing and pressure management
• Posture and movement analysis
• Hip and back-friendly exercise modification
• Education on what is safe, helpful and unnecessary

Internal examination is not required for pregnancy care in an online setting.

What happens in an online pregnancy pelvic floor consultation?

Your pelvic health physiotherapist will:

• Take a detailed pregnancy, symptom and activity history
• Discuss your stage of pregnancy and goals
• Assess breathing, posture and movement patterns
• Identify contributors to pelvic floor, hip or back pain
• Create a personalised plan, which may include:
  • Pelvic floor strengthening or relaxation strategies
  • Hip and lower back supportive exercises
  • Breathing and pressure-management techniques
  • Guidance for daily activities, exercise and sleep positions
  • Preparation for birth and early recovery

You’ll leave feeling clear, confident, and supported - knowing exactly what to focus on and why it matters.

When should you book an assessment?

Consider booking an online consultation if:

• You’re leaking urine during pregnancy
• You feel pelvic pressure or heaviness
• Hip or lower back pain is limiting your movement or sleep
• You’re unsure which exercises are safe
• You want to prepare your pelvic floor for birth
• Symptoms are worsening as pregnancy progresses

Early support often prevents symptoms escalating later in pregnancy or postpartum.

When online care may not be appropriate

You should seek in-person or urgent care if you have:

• Sudden, severe pelvic or back pain
• Neurological symptoms (numbness, weakness)
• Unexplained bleeding
• Signs of infection
• Medical advice restricting physical activity

Your physiotherapist will guide you if escalation is needed.

Why Mothercore

• Specialist pelvic health physiotherapists who truly understand what you’re going through
• UK-registered clinicians you can feel confident and safe with
• Evidence-based, personalised care - built around your body, your symptoms, and your life
• Clear, supportive explanations (no shame, no guesswork, no “just live with it”)
• Flexible online appointments that fit around work, pregnancy, and childcare

Frequently Asked Questions

Is pelvic floor physiotherapy safe during pregnancy? Yes. Pelvic floor physiotherapy is safe during pregnancy when delivered by a qualified specialist and adapted to your stage of pregnancy.

Is hip or lower back pain normal in pregnancy? It is common, but it can often be improved with appropriate physiotherapy support rather than being ignored.

Should I do pelvic floor exercises during pregnancy? Often, yes - but it’s not one-size-fits-all, which is why physiotherapist guidance matters. Some people need coordination or relaxation work first, rather than strengthening alone.

Can pelvic floor physio help prepare for birth? Yes. Physiotherapy can support pelvic floor awareness, relaxation and pressure management in preparation for labour and recovery.

Book your online pelvic floor consultation

Confidential, one-to-one pregnancy support with a specialist physiotherapist.

Useful links:

Tight pelvic floor

Weak pelvic floor

Incontinence hub