Pregnancy Pain Getting In and Out of the Car: Why Does Such a Simple Movement Hurt?
There comes a point in pregnancy when getting in and out of the car can become surprisingly complicated.
You open the door, turn sideways, lower yourself onto the seat… and then realise you need to somehow get both legs inside.
Or perhaps getting out is even worse.
You swing your legs out, try to stand up, and suddenly feel a sharp pain through your pelvis, groin, hip or lower back.
You might even find yourself thinking:
"Why does getting out of the car hurt so much?"
If this sounds familiar, you're not imagining it. Pregnancy pain getting in and out of the car is a common frustration for many pregnant women, particularly later in pregnancy.
And while some discomfort can be part of pregnancy, persistent or limiting pain deserves to be taken seriously.
Why can getting out of the car hurt during pregnancy?
Getting in and out of a car requires your body to coordinate several movements at once.
You need to:
Sit down and stand up
Twist your body
Move your legs together or one at a time
Rotate through your hips
Put weight through your pelvis
Move from sitting to standing
Often step up or down from the kerb or driveway
When you're pregnant, your body is constantly adapting.
Your bump is growing, your centre of gravity is changing and your muscles and joints are working differently to support you.
For some women, these changes can contribute to pelvic pain, hip pain, lower back pain or sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain.
And if you're experiencing pelvic girdle pain (PGP) or SPD, the movement of getting one leg out of the car followed by the other can be particularly uncomfortable.
"It's only getting out of the car — why does it hurt?"
This is one of the frustrating things about pregnancy pain.
You might be completely fine walking around the house.
You might be able to sit at your desk.
You may even manage a gentle walk.
But then you get into the car and suddenly realise that moving your legs, twisting or standing up is painful.
This doesn't necessarily mean that something is seriously wrong.
It can simply mean that a particular movement is currently placing more stress on an area of your body than it can comfortably manage.
The important part is understanding why that movement is difficult for you.
Pregnancy pelvic pain getting out of the car
If you're experiencing pelvic girdle pain during pregnancy, getting in and out of the car can be one of those everyday activities that really highlights your symptoms.
You may notice:
Pain around the pubic bone
Aching through the pelvis
Groin pain
Pain around one or both hips
Pain through the buttocks
Lower back pain
A feeling of pelvic discomfort or instability
Pain when separating your legs
Pain when standing up after sitting
You may also find that getting out of the car is worse after you've been sitting for a while.
For some women with SPD in pregnancy, movements involving the legs moving apart can be particularly uncomfortable.
And if you are driving regularly for work, school drop-offs, appointments or looking after older children, this seemingly small problem can become a significant part of your day.
The "car shuffle" is real
Many pregnant women develop their own technique.
You might find yourself carefully turning your whole body towards the door, moving your legs together, slowly shuffling around and using your arms to help push yourself upright.
Perhaps you've started avoiding low cars because you know how difficult they are to get out of.
Or you're choosing the passenger seat because it gives you more room.
Maybe you now have to mentally prepare yourself before standing up.
These little adaptations are your body trying to find a more comfortable way to move.
But if getting in and out of the car is becoming increasingly painful, it is worth finding out whether there are things you can do to make movement easier.
How can you make getting out of the car more comfortable?
There isn't one perfect way to get in and out of a car during pregnancy, because the right approach depends on your symptoms.
However, if pelvic movement is uncomfortable, some women find it easier to:
Move your legs together.
Rather than twisting and moving one leg out at a time, try keeping your knees closer together and moving your legs as a unit.
Turn your whole body.
Instead of twisting through your pelvis while your legs stay still, rotate your shoulders, torso and pelvis together where possible.
Use your hands for support.
The door frame, seat or another stable surface can give you something to push against as you stand.
Take your time.
There is no prize for getting out of the car quickly!
Adjust your seat.
Having enough space to comfortably turn and move your legs can make a surprising difference.
If a particular movement consistently causes pain, don't force your way through it.
How can osteopathy help pregnancy pain?
This is where an individual assessment can be useful.
Rather than simply treating "pregnancy pain", I want to understand what is actually making your movement uncomfortable.
At your appointment, we'll talk about your symptoms and how they're affecting your everyday life.
I'll assess your movement and look at how different parts of your body are working together — including your pelvis, hips, lower back and surrounding muscles and joints.
Depending on your symptoms, stage of pregnancy and what is appropriate for you, osteopathic treatment may include:
Soft tissue techniques
Gentle joint mobilisation and articulation
Muscle stretching
Joint manipulation where appropriate
Advice about movement and positioning
Exercises and practical strategies for managing everyday activities
The goal is not simply to treat you while you're on the treatment table.
It's about helping you move more comfortably outside the clinic too.
That might mean getting out of the car with less pain, being able to walk more comfortably afterwards or making everyday movements feel less daunting.
You don't need to stop driving
If getting in and out of the car hurts, you might start wondering whether you should stop driving altogether.
Sometimes reducing an aggravating activity is sensible, but often the answer is not to stop doing everything.
Instead, we can look at how you're moving, what is aggravating your symptoms and whether the movement can be modified.
This can be particularly important during pregnancy when you still have work, children, appointments, exercise and everyday life to manage.
Your body is changing — but your life doesn't stop.
When should you get pregnancy pain checked?
Pregnancy aches and pains are common, but you don't need to wait until they're severe before seeking help.
Consider getting assessed if:
Getting in or out of the car is consistently painful
You are changing how you move because of pain
You're avoiding activities because of pelvic or hip pain
Walking after getting out of the car is uncomfortable
You have pain around your pubic bone or pelvis
You are experiencing symptoms that could be pelvic girdle pain or SPD
Your lower back or hip pain is affecting your daily activities
You're becoming worried about movement during pregnancy
An assessment can help you understand what's happening and give you practical strategies to manage it.
Pregnancy shouldn't mean putting up with pain
Pregnancy is a huge physical change.
Your body is adapting every day, and some aches and pains are certainly common.
But you shouldn't feel that you simply have to suffer through pain because you're pregnant.
If getting out of the car has become one of those movements you dread, you're not being fussy or overreacting.
It's a real limitation to your everyday life.
As a pregnancy osteopath in Milford, Auckland, I work with pregnant women experiencing pelvic pain, pelvic girdle pain, SPD, hip pain, SIJ pain and lower back pain.
My approach is individual. We'll look at what is happening in your body, what you're struggling with and what you need to be able to keep doing during your pregnancy.
Sometimes the goal isn't something dramatic.
Sometimes it's simply:
"I want to get out of my car without wincing."
And that's a perfectly good reason to ask for help.
If pregnancy pain is making getting in and out of the car, walking, sleeping, working or keeping up with everyday life difficult, book an appointment with Sarah Boughtwood Osteopath in Milford, Auckland.