Coccyx Relief

Coccyx Pain

Coccyx Pain During Pregnancy: Causes & Relief (2026)

Tailbone pain during pregnancy explained: causes, safe relief exercises, cushion picks, and when to see a doctor. Expert guide for pregnancy coccyx pain in 2026.

By Mat — sharing what worked after 9 years of coccyx pain·

Up to 1 in 5 pregnant women experience coccyx pain, most commonly in the second and third trimesters. It is caused by the hormone relaxin softening ligaments around the tailbone, combined with postural changes from the growing uterus. Safe, effective relief is available throughout pregnancy.

Table of Contents

Why Pregnancy Causes Tailbone Pain

The Relaxin Effect

During pregnancy, the body produces relaxin — a hormone that loosens ligaments throughout the pelvis to allow the birth canal to widen for delivery. This ligament laxity is necessary and normal, but it has a side effect: the sacrococcygeal joint and the ligaments that stabilise the coccyx become loose, allowing more movement than usual. This hypermobility can generate pain, especially when sitting or transitioning between positions.

Postural Changes

As the uterus grows, the centre of gravity shifts forward. To compensate, many pregnant women develop an increased lumbar curve (lordosis) and a forward tilt of the pelvis. This postural change shifts mechanical loading onto the sacrococcygeal region — the junction between the sacrum and the coccyx — increasing pressure and pain.

Weight Increase

The additional weight of pregnancy increases the load on every weight-bearing structure, including the coccyx. The combination of increased load and loosened ligaments makes the tailbone particularly vulnerable.

Baby Position in Late Pregnancy

In the third trimester, the baby's head descends into the pelvis. Depending on positioning, this can directly press on the sacrum and coccyx, causing or worsening tailbone pain.

Which Trimester Is Worst?

Most women notice coccyx pain between weeks 20–36 (second and third trimesters), as the baby grows larger and postural changes become more pronounced.

  • First trimester: Coccyx pain is uncommon unless a pre-existing condition is present
  • Second trimester (weeks 13–26): Pain often begins around weeks 20–24 as relaxin levels peak and posture begins to change
  • Third trimester (weeks 27–40): Often the most uncomfortable; baby position can be a direct factor
  • Final weeks (36–40): Some women find discomfort eases as the baby's head engages and relieves sacral pressure; others find it worse

Safe Relief During Pregnancy

1. Coccyx Cushion

A cushion with a U-shaped rear cutout is safe at every stage of pregnancy and is the single most effective immediate relief tool. Use it on any chair you sit on regularly — work, car, dining table.

Recommended picks:

  • Everlasting Comfort — Deep cutout, high-density foam, affordable
  • Putnams Coccyx Wedge — The wedge angle helps with pelvic alignment; widely recommended by midwives and physiotherapists
  • ComfiLife Gel Enhanced — Good for warmer months when foam cushions get uncomfortably warm

2. Warm Compress

A warm heat pack applied to the lower back and sacral area (NOT directly on the abdomen) provides muscle relaxation and pain relief. Avoid heat that is too intense, and do not apply heat directly to the abdomen.

Important: Avoid very hot baths or saunas during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester.

3. Physiotherapy

Pelvic floor physiotherapy is safe, effective, and widely recommended during pregnancy. A pelvic physio can:

  • Assess and treat sacrococcygeal joint tension
  • Teach optimal sitting, standing, and sleeping positions
  • Guide safe exercises tailored to your trimester and symptoms
  • Perform gentle manual therapy to reduce sacral tension

4. Supportive Belts

Pregnancy pelvic support belts (worn around the hips) can reduce sacrococcygeal movement and pain by stabilising the pelvis. Ask your midwife or physiotherapist for guidance on fitting.

5. Swimming

Buoyancy removes weight from the pelvis entirely, providing significant relief during the pool. Gentle swimming or hydrotherapy is one of the safest and most effective exercises for pregnancy coccyx pain.

Safe Exercises by Trimester

Always check with your midwife or GP before starting new exercises during pregnancy.

All Trimesters

Pelvic Tilt (Seated) Sit on a coccyx cushion. Gently rock your pelvis forward and back — 10 slow repetitions. Mobilises the sacrococcygeal joint without any lying-down requirement.

Cat-Cow (Modified for Pregnancy) On hands and knees, perform gentle cat-cow movements. Keep movements small and controlled. Safe throughout all trimesters. 8–10 cycles.

Glute Bridge (First Trimester Only) Lie on your back, squeeze glutes, and lift hips. Avoid lying flat on your back after 16–20 weeks due to vena cava compression risk.

Second Trimester (Weeks 13–26)

Side-Lying Hip Stretch Lie on your side with a pillow between your knees. Bring the top knee forward and let it rest on a pillow — this opens the hip and reduces sacrococcygeal tension. Hold 30 seconds.

Seated Figure-4 Stretch Sit on a firm chair. Cross one ankle over the opposite knee and lean slightly forward. Hold 30 seconds each side. Releases the piriformis without lying down.

Standing Hip Flexor Stretch Stand beside a wall for balance. Step one foot back into a gentle lunge position and sink the rear hip forward. Hold 30 seconds each side. Counteracts the hip flexor tightening from increased lumbar curve.

Third Trimester (Weeks 27–40)

Focus on seated and standing exercises only:

Seated Pelvic Rocking Sit on a birth ball or firm chair. Gently rock your pelvis in circles — 10 clockwise, 10 counterclockwise. Excellent for sacral mobility and also helpful for preparing for labour.

Wall Squats Stand with your back against a wall, feet hip-width apart. Slide slowly down to about 45°, then return. 8–10 repetitions. Strengthens the glutes without coccyx pressure.

Water Walking Walking in a pool or the sea offloads the pelvis significantly. Even 15–20 minutes 3 times weekly can noticeably reduce coccyx pain.

What to Avoid

During pregnancy with coccyx pain:

  • Direct pressure on the tailbone — always use a coccyx cushion when sitting
  • Cross-legged floor sitting — compresses the coccyx significantly
  • Lying flat on your back after 16–20 weeks — vena cava compression risk
  • Very hot baths or saunas — particularly in the first trimester
  • High-impact exercise — running, jumping, step aerobics
  • Heavy lifting without pelvic floor support — learn to exhale on exertion
  • Rushing position changes — standing up quickly from sitting is a major pain trigger; rise slowly

Will It Go Away After Birth?

For most women, pregnancy-related coccyx pain resolves within weeks of delivery as hormone levels normalise and posture gradually returns to baseline.

However:

  • If the coccyx was fractured or significantly displaced during delivery, recovery may take months
  • About 10% of women develop chronic coccydynia requiring ongoing treatment
  • Early physiotherapy after delivery is associated with faster and more complete recovery

See our guide to coccyx pain after childbirth for postpartum-specific advice.

When to See Your Midwife or Doctor

Contact your midwife or GP if:

  • Coccyx pain is severe enough to significantly limit daily activities or sleep
  • Pain came on suddenly or worsened rapidly
  • You notice numbness or tingling in the legs, buttocks, or perineum
  • You experience any changes in bowel or bladder function
  • Pain is accompanied by fever
  • You experience pain radiating into both legs (possible nerve involvement)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is coccyx pain normal during pregnancy? Yes. Up to 1 in 5 pregnant women experience coccyx pain. It is caused by the hormone relaxin softening ligaments around the tailbone, combined with postural changes from the growing uterus.

When does coccyx pain start in pregnancy? Most women notice tailbone pain in the second or third trimester, between weeks 20–36, as the baby grows larger and postural changes increase.

How can I relieve coccyx pain during pregnancy? Coccyx cushions, modified stretches, warm compresses, and improved sitting posture provide the most relief. Avoid direct heat near the abdomen. Physiotherapy is safe and effective during pregnancy.

Will coccyx pain go away after pregnancy? For most women, coccyx pain resolves within weeks of delivery. About 10% develop chronic coccydynia requiring ongoing treatment.

Is it safe to exercise for coccyx pain while pregnant? Yes, with modifications. Pelvic tilts, side-lying stretches, and gentle walking are safe. Avoid lying flat on your back after 20 weeks. Skip any exercise that increases pain.