LEELALUPregnancy
Are these aches normal in the third trimester?
Pelvis, calves, digestion. The last stretch of pregnancy brings a familiar set of complaints, and most of them have simple easing steps.
The short answer
Common, uncomfortable, and mostly easable.
These four complaints are all common in pregnancy: pelvic girdle pain, leg cramps, constipation, and piles. Pelvic girdle pain affects up to about 1 in 5 pregnant people, and while it can make moving around hard, it isn't harmful to your baby. Each of the four has gentle steps that ease it, and if something doesn't settle or worries you, your provider would rather hear about it than not.
What's going on
Four complaints, four easing plans.
Your body is carrying more weight, run by different hormones, on joints preparing for birth. Here is what the reviewed guidance says about each ache, starting with the pelvis:
Pelvic girdle pain, aching around the pelvis, hips, or groin, affects up to about 1 in 5 pregnant people, and while it can make moving around hard, it isn't harmful to your baby.NHS - Pelvic pain in pregnancy · pregnancy 28-40 weeks
Reviewed wording: "Pelvic girdle pain, aching around the pelvis, hips, or groin, affects up to about 1 in 5 pregnant people, and while it can make moving around hard, it isn't harmful to your baby. Staying gently active within comfort, resting when you can, and keeping equal weight on both legs can help. Ask your provider about a referral to a physiotherapist, who can offer targeted support."
Then the calves, usually at the least convenient hour:
Leg cramps, sudden tight, painful spasms often in the calf, are common in pregnancy and frequently happen at night.NHS - Common health problems in pregnancy · pregnancy 28-40 weeks
Reviewed wording: "Leg cramps, sudden tight, painful spasms often in the calf, are common in pregnancy and frequently happen at night. Regular gentle movement, especially ankle and foot exercises, can improve circulation and may help prevent them. If the pain doesn't settle, or you're worried it's something more than a cramp, contact your provider to be sure."
Digestion slows down too, and that has its own knock-on effects:
Constipation is common in pregnancy, largely because of pregnancy hormones.NHS - Common health problems in pregnancy · pregnancy 28-40 weeks
Reviewed wording: "Constipation is common in pregnancy, largely because of pregnancy hormones. Eating high-fibre foods, drinking plenty of water, and staying gently active can all help keep things moving. Iron supplements can add to it, so mention ongoing constipation to your provider, who can advise."
Piles (haemorrhoids) are swollen blood vessels around the bottom and are common in pregnancy, often linked to constipation.NHS - Piles in pregnancy · pregnancy 28-40 weeks
Reviewed wording: "Piles (haemorrhoids) are swollen blood vessels around the bottom and are common in pregnancy, often linked to constipation. Keeping stools soft with plenty of fibre and water, avoiding straining, and a cool compress can ease the discomfort. Check with your midwife, doctor, or pharmacist before using any cream, so you get one that's suitable in pregnancy."
Nobody gets a medal for enduring these quietly. The easing steps above are small, and a physiotherapist referral or a pharmacist conversation is a normal part of third trimester care, not an escalation.
When to call
If something feels wrong.
This page is education, not diagnosis. If something feels wrong, call your pediatrician (or your OB for your own body). In an emergency in the US, call 911.
Tonight's small action
Two minutes of ankle circles, one glass of water.
Before bed tonight, do two minutes of slow ankle circles and foot flexes while you sit, then fill a water glass for the nightstand. Gentle foot and ankle movement supports the circulation your calves want, and the water works on tomorrow's digestion. Small, boring, effective.
Keep going
Where to next.
- Build a printable question list for your next appointment
- What's the safest way to sleep in late pregnancy?
- Is my baby moving enough?
- When should my hospital bag be ready?
- All pregnancy questions
Reviewed by the LEELALU team (editorial review) · Updated August 3, 2026 · Sources named above.