Breaking the Myth: Not All Pain in Pregnancy is Normal
When discomfort signals something more, and how to advocate for care
Pregnancy comes with a long list of physical changes. And, helpful or not, just as long a list of unsolicited advice. One phrase many pregnant people hear repeatedly is: “That’s just part of pregnancy.” Aches, pains, pressure, discomfort, all these are often brushed off as something to endure rather than address.
While it’s true that pregnancy can be uncomfortable, there’s an important distinction we don’t talk about enough:
Not all pain in pregnancy is normal, and not all pain should be ignored. Some discomfort is expected. Other pain is your body’s way of asking for attention.
This article is the first in a series of discussions about pain during pregnancy intended to help you feel informed, supported and more at ease throughout your pregnancy.
We're not looking to cause fear or make you or question every sensation. It’s about helping you understand when the pregnancy pain you're experiencing might signal something you shouldn't ignore.
Then we address how you can advocate for care that takes your concerns seriously. For a deeper look into how to ask for help for pregnancy pain, have a look at the second article in our series on pain in pregnancy, How to Explain Pain in Pregnancy.
Why Pain is so Often Normalised in Pregnancy
Pain has been normalised in pregnancy for generations. Culturally, pregnancy is often framed as something you simply “power through.” Medically, symptoms are sometimes attributed quickly to hormonal changes, growing ligaments or posture shifts. While all these can be valid reasons for pain in pregnancy, it's important to consider deeper discussion.
Normalisation of discomfort is especially true for musculoskeletal pain. This is frequently dismissed out of hand despite strong evidence that early intervention can significantly reduce symptoms and improve function.
Normalising pain can delay diagnosis, treatment and relief. It can also leave pregnant women feeling dismissed or unsure whether to seek care. A Pregnancy MOT with a specialist women's health physiotherapist will give you a comprehensive assessment and treatment plan to address a range of pregnancy symptoms, including different types of pain.
Common Pregnancy Symptoms That are Often Normal
Some physical discomfort is common as your body adapts to pregnancy, including:
Mild to moderate lower-back pain
Pelvic pressure as the uterus grows
Round ligament pain, especially with sudden movement
Occasional early pregnancy cramping
Rib discomfort, leg cramps, or mild swelling
Even when these symptoms are common, they’re not something you have to “just live with.” Many women respond well to conservative intervention, including posture education, movement modification and prenatal and pelvic floor physiotherapy.
If pain is interfering with your daily activities, sleep or mobility, it’s perfectly reasonable—and appropriate—to seek support.
When Pain in Pregnancy May Signal Something More
Understanding potential red flags can help you feel more confident about knowing when discomfort deserves further attention. While many pregnancy-related aches are nothing to worry about, certain patterns of pain fall outside the range of what’s typically expected. Recognising them early can give you reassurance or early treatment, if necessary.
Most of the time, when you get evaluation for pregnancy pain, there is nothing wrong, as such, but support and treatment will be available.
Persistent, Worsening or Severe Pain
Pregnancy-related discomfort often fluctuates and improves with rest, position changes or gentle movement. On the other hand, pain that persists despite rest, steadily worsens over time or significantly limits your movement may signal more than routine pregnancy discomfort.
Conditions such as pelvic girdle dysfunction in pregnancy can cause sharp or destabilising pelvic pain that makes walking, standing, or turning in bed difficult.
Nerve-related pain may feel like burning, shooting or radiating sensations that may not respond to common comfort measures. These conditions are often underdiagnosed, not because they're dangerous, but because they're frequently misclassified as “normal pregnancy pain.”
It’s important to remember that needing evaluation doesn't mean something is seriously wrong. It usually means there's an explanation and a way to help you feel better.
Pain With Other Symptoms
Pain that you get with additional symptoms deserves closer attention. This may include vaginal bleeding, fever, chills, severe headaches, visual changes, dizziness, numbness or weakness.
While reading symptom lists can understandably feel unsettling, most people who report these symptoms are examined out of caution and reassured after appropriate assessment. Still, if you have these combinations, a visit to your GP can rule out infection, neurological involvement or pregnancy-related complications.
A helpful rule of thumb: if pain feels different, intense or combined with new symptoms, it’s reasonable to check in with your healthcare provider, even if it turns out to be nothing concerning.
Specific Pain Patterns to Take Seriously
Certain pain locations or patterns are less likely to be explained by routine pregnancy changes alone and should be discussed with your healthcare team. These include:
Severe pubic or pelvic pain, especially with walking, standing on one leg, or rolling over in bed
One-sided leg pain, swelling or redness
Upper abdominal pain, particularly on the right side, especially if accompanied by nausea or headache
Pain with urination, urinary urgency or flank pain
Experiencing any of these does not automatically mean there's a serious problem. In most cases, evaluation leads to simple explanations, reassurance or targeted treatment to improve your comfort and mobility.
Your doctor or nurse may recommend lab work, imaging or referral to a specialist, like a pelvic physiotherapist, to better understand what’s contributing to your pain. Asking for help is not overreacting, it’s a reasonable response to ongoing discomfort.
Why Pregnancy Pain is Sometimes Dismissed
Pain in pregnancy is often minimised due to short appointment times, assumptions about “normal changes” or fear of intervention during pregnancy.
Many patients also internalise the belief that discomfort is simply part of the process. But the reality is this: advocating for care protects both your health and the health of your baby.
How to Advocate for Yourself During Pregnancy
Self-advocacy starts with trusting your experience.
If pain is limiting your ability to move, work or rest, it deserves attention. Using clear language, including the location, severity and duration of the pain, will help your healthcare provider better assess what’s going on. You might find it helpful to keep a pain diary for a few days before your visit to record your experience.
In describing the sensations, focus not just on how it feels, but also how it affects your body and daily life. To describe what you're feeling, you can use words like
Sharp / stabbing
Dull / aching
Burning
Throbbing
Cramping
Tight / pulling
Electric / shooting
If reassurance doesn’t sit right with you, ask follow-up questions or request additional evaluation. And if you're still not feeling confident, a valid next step is to seek a second opinion or specialty referral, such as to pelvic floor physiotherapy.
What Supportive Pregnancy Care Should Look Like
Supportive prenatal care includes:
Being heard without dismissal
Clear explanations for symptoms
Willingness to investigate pain
Referrals to appropriate specialists
Pregnancy care should focus on function and wellbeing, not just endurance.
Pregnant bodies are strong, but strength doesn’t mean suffering in silence. Pain is not a personal failure, and asking for help is not weakness.
By paying attention to discomfort, asking questions and advocating for care, you’re not being difficult, you’re being informed and proactive. And that benefits not only you, but your pregnancy as a whole.
For advice on your women's health questions, call Magdalena on 07877 017 936 or drop PelviCare an email. Alternatively, you can book an appointment online.
PelviCare Women's Health Physiotherapy is located between Deptford and Greenwich, London, serving women across South London, East London, Essex, Kent and beyond.
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