Help pelvic pain in pregnancy?!

[midivydale]

Hi all,

Looking for some help from the more experienced mothers out there. I am expecting my first in March (28 weeks now) and this past week I have experienced excruitiating pain in my pelvis. It is worse at night time if I move position in bed but also things like getting dressed in the morning or stepping out of the shower almost brings me to tears. It seems to be worse when my legs are parted ie lifting one leg to put trousers on. It feels like if I have torn a muscle or dislocated a joint. I also suffer from a bad back but could see that one coming so have tried to prevent by stretching and training my core muscles. This pelvic pain though has knocked me for six - any ideas on things I can try to ease the pain? I am pretty desperate (as is Mr Midivydale...)

[EDmummy]

Could be SPD. Best advice is to see a MV or doctor as soon as you can.

[number 2]

certainly sounds like spd to me. i think you can get special belts that sort of hold things together and helps a lot for many people. good luck!

[jennyh]

Another vote for SPD. Def ask to see someone about it and get a referral to the physio as soon as you can, they can definitely help. In the meantime try and keep your legs together as much as possible, swing them around when getting out of a chair or the car for example...that is the first bit of advice they give you, not that easy in every day life I know! As number 2 says there are special belts they can issue that you wear to keep your pelvis in line and stop it from separating.

Good luck!

[Yak]

Yep, see m/w or doc and get an urgent referral for physio. It is horrible but good treatment can really help with the symptoms. Think of yourself as the most elegant lady in the world and keep your knees together when getting in / out of bed or turning over, and keep your hips higher than your knees when sitting down.

[Countjc]

Midivydale

This sounds just like SPD which is what I suffered from in last pregnancy and this one. Am I seeing you at spring babies on sat as we can talk more then and I can bring you one of my belts but in the meantime some tips.

Firstly you need to rest as much as poss and keep your legs together. Don't use a pregnancy pillow between your legs at night and try sleeping on top of a duvet. I tie my knees together with a dressing gown tie at night to stop myself moving then apart in my sleep.

You need to see a physio asap. Nhs referral could take ages so worth paying initially whilst you wait for referral. I'm seeing Russell at dulwich Physio 3 times a week and he is amazing and definitely keeping mine under control. At this stage with my son I was signed off work! He goes on holiday on sat so hopefully you can see him before then.

If not google sue Lewis spd specialist as I also see her in Wimbledon. She has been studying SPD for years and is amazing.

I'm seeing to obstetricians at kings who ate great but main thing for is Physio. I have loads of spare support belts I can lend you as well.

Might be worth getting some crutches to minimise walking and when you do walk take small steps. Keep your knees together getting in and out if a car as well.

If you google the pelvic partnership they have loads of other tips.

If I don't see you on sat pm me and we can try and catch up. Really feel for you as know how horrible SPD is. All I can say is I recovered immediately after my son so that's what's keeling me going this time!

[midivydale]

Hey all and thank you so much for all your replies.

Countjc - Thank you so much for your post and all your tips. I will see you sat and we can chat more but in the meantime your tips are very helpful, will get on to the physio straight away. Thanks again I really appreciate it.

[elsie tea]

I found the physios at esph were excellent a few years ago and very aware of pregnancy related conditions. I went there at the beginning of my third pregnancy because of spd during previous pregnancies (not an easy option with two other little ones running about) and had a much easier time. Well worth bearing in mind if you have another. If you do try them, ask to see someone who specialises in this field. Also, if you have private health insurance, it might be worth finding out if they will cover you for treating spd.

I can also recommend Katie Sedgwick, a local reflexologist who has a great deal of experience with all peri-natal matters. I don't know if she can help the cause but she may well be able to help alleviate the pain. pm me and I will send you her details

All the best

[Ramble66]

Is the pain at the front on the pelvis (pubic symphisis) or the back (sacroiliac)?

[midivydale]

Thank you Elsie Tea and Ramble66. The pain is mainly located to the front and worse on the right side than left. It is strongest in the groin area on the right hand side. It feels almost like a dislocation of the joint if that makes sense. I also have a lower back pain on the same side, more like an ache than a shooting pain and am not sure if this is related. Again thank you everyone

[Countjc]

They are linked due to the way the pelvic girdle is which is why it's now referred to as Pelvic Girdle Pain rather than SPD. Hope you've managed to see a Physio.

You may have had a hip upslip or the pubic symph can also move but physios can manipulate back in place and it's totally safe. The belts then support you and stop any further movement.

[midivydale]

Coutjc, Many thanks again really appreciate all your tips and help. Looking forward to meeting on Sat and learn more from you, I need all the help I can get. No luck with physio yet - like you said NHS takes ages so will go private.

[crystal7]

I had some pelvic pain in my last pregnancy, nothing like as painful as you describe but at the front and on 1 side more than the other. A couple of sessions with Russell at DMC sorted it out, he's fantastic. I would just make an appointment and pay. I never heard back from the physios at Kings (although I didn't chase them as I was ok once I'd seen Russell).

[Yak]

Midivydale, I was seen at kings within 2 wks of reporting probs to m/ws so worth perservering if nhs is your only option. Good luck, it is hideous to put up with it.

[blackkat]

My SPD was awful - I did get a physio appt at Kings (the midwife referred me and it didn't take long) though I couldn't actually do any of the exercises she gave me. Perhaps a more specialised physio can help, it sounds like it has worked for others. I had spd from 22 weeks and ended up using crutches, working from home and resting as much as humanly possible! The belt support is great, and keeping your knees together helps stop the shooting pain, and paracetamol (or similar from your Dr) when it's really bad. The good news is it has got so much better since having baby, though things like sitting on the floor are stil not great. Slightly nervous about having a second baby, though I know it's all worthwhile! Good luck!

[katgod]

I had this too. I found I had to stand on the train to work despite offers of a seat because the transition from sit to stand was too much. Put a plastic bag on the car seat to help you swivel round in a graceful royal way and ease the strain (means you can keep your knees together). And for the worried ones I have three children and the SPD was really painful with first, needed physio, belt, lots of tips to manage, mild twinge very occasionally with the second and nothing at all with third. Think is all to do with the lie of baby so don't worry too much each pregnancy is different.