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Coccyx pain in pregnancy
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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Most women who are in such a delicate state as pregnancy often notice unpleasant sensations in the sacral spine. They darken the joy of expecting a future baby and bring a lot of discomfort. Pain in the tailbone (coccygodynia) is a very common complaint during pregnancy. Sometimes it is not pronounced or localized in a certain place. Some women feel that the source of pain is in the anus, in the intestines or in the perineum.
Pregnant women often consult a doctor complaining of pain in the lower back or abdomen. The nature of coccyx pain during pregnancy varies and it is not always possible to accurately diagnose this based on the words of a woman who is prone to anococcygeal pain syndrome. It has a large number of manifestations - anal neuralgia, coccygodynia, proctalgia. And if anorectal pain is added to them, then an experienced doctor will be able to combine these symptoms together and determine that the pregnant woman suffers from anococcygeal pain syndrome.
Although such a diagnosis brings a lot of unpleasant sensations (pain in the anus, heaviness in the sacral region, burning in the coccyx itself, aching pain in the lower back or abdomen), it is not subject to treatment and does not pose a particular danger to a pregnant woman. The only exception is traumatic coccygodynia, which causes pain in the coccyx. Unfortunately, the injury could have been received in the past, long before pregnancy, and often women do not associate such pain with the manifestation of old bruises.
Causes of tailbone pain during pregnancy
The following factors directly influence the occurrence of coccyx pain during pregnancy:
- Deficiency of calcium, magnesium, or both in a woman's body
- In the second trimester, the woman's body begins to change rapidly. It is during this period that the sacral spine, ligaments and coccyx suffer the most due to the rapidly growing uterus.
- The tension of the pelvic bones, the process of their natural expansion is accompanied by such pains
- Low fetal position in the third trimester of pregnancy
Tailbone pain is considered normal during pregnancy. But sometimes it is a symptom of more complex abnormalities. What dangers does tailbone pain pose?
- Such pain in the coccyx or lower abdomen and back may indicate a risk of premature termination of pregnancy.
- A large deficiency of magnesium and calcium can not only cause pain in the tailbone, but also lead to disharmonious development of the fetus or the threat of miscarriage.
- If the pain in the tailbone is caused by a long-standing or recent injury in the pelvic area, then the pregnant woman should be carefully examined, since in this case natural childbirth may be contraindicated for her.
- Paroxysmal and burning pain may indicate sciatic nerve impingement.
From all of the above, it becomes clear that the pain in the coccyx, common to many pregnant women, conceals a hidden threat and requires a mandatory visit to the doctor. And the doctor, in turn, will calm the woman down or send her for further examination.
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