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Observing life from the sideline: a qualitative study on experiences of living with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Stavanger University Hospital, Gerd-Ragna Bloch Thorsens gate 4, Stavanger, Norway; Et Liv I Bevegelse (ELiB), Norwegian Chiropractic Research Foundation, Oslo, Norway.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Stavanger University Hospital, Gerd-Ragna Bloch Thorsens gate 4, Stavanger, Norway; Et Liv I Bevegelse (ELiB), Norwegian Chiropractic Research Foundation, Oslo, Norway; Department for Caring and Ethics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway.
Department for Caring and Ethics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway.
Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Obstetrics and Gynecology.ORCID iD: 0000-0003-0566-0457
2026 (English)In: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, E-ISSN 1471-2393, Vol. 26, no 1, article id 231Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Background: Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) is a common musculoskeletal condition that affectsphysical functioning, emotional well-being, and everyday life for many women. While the physical symptoms of PPGPare increasingly recognised, there remains a lack of insight into the lived experiences of those affected, particularly inrelation to identity, coping, and family life.

Aim: This study aimed to explore pregnant Norwegian women’s experiences of PPGP, with a particular focus onsymptom burden, coping strategies, and the condition’s impact on quality of life and family dynamics.

Methods: Semi-structured in-depth individual interviews (n=18) were conducted with pregnant womenexperiencing PPGP. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: The overarching theme, This, too, shall pass, emerged from participants’ narratives, capturing a sharedperception of PPGP as a temporary, though challenging, aspect of the perinatal experience. While some participantsremained hopeful for immediate postpartum relief, others anticipated a longer recovery. The participants described aconstant need to adapt, striving to balance daily responsibilities and self-preservation despite persistent discomfort.PPGP significantly disrupted physical and emotional functioning, disrupted sleep, and hindering routine activities,including work participation. Partner support and social validation emerged as vital coping resources.

Interpretation: Our findings show that PPGP profoundly affects women’s physical, emotional well-being,occupational roles and sense of identity during pregnancy. These insights highlight the need for a holistic, personcentred approach to PPGP in clinical care. Improving professional awareness and the development of patientinformed interventions are essential to support coping strategies, safeguard maternal identity, and reduce the dailyburden of living with PPGP.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Springer Nature, 2026. Vol. 26, no 1, article id 231
Keywords [en]
Lumbopelvic pain, Pelvic girdle pain, Pregnancy, Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain, Qualitative content analysis, Women’s health
National Category
Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-251261DOI: 10.1186/s12884-026-08724-yISI: 001712982500003PubMedID: 41639785Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105032661415OAI: oai:DiVA.org:umu-251261DiVA, id: diva2:2053082
Available from: 2026-04-15 Created: 2026-04-15 Last updated: 2026-04-15Bibliographically approved

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Bergström, Cecilia

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