painful hips joints at night... arrrrrggghh!!!

[emeraldgirl1]

Am 19 weeks and I've just started to suffer really badly with painful hips in the night. Wakes me up and I have to roll over, only for it to start up again on the other side a couple of hours later...

I've been Googling and read mixed reports about whether or not a pillow between the knees helps. Guess I can't hurt to try but the consensus seems to be it has to be a pillow all the way down the length of your legs and not just between your knees. Where on earth would I find such a pillow?!

Any other suggestions VERY gratefully receieved - I'm creeping around this morning like a little old lady.

Now, this is why I should have had a child at 21 instead of 36...

[whatsinthebagangelos]

Nothing helpful to add apart from sympathy, I have the same and it's horrid. Literally feel like I spend the whole night rolling over hauling my pillow with me! So tired by the morning. don't even get me started on DH snoring

[emeraldgirl1]

whatsinthebag - sympathy is v gratefully received too!! Did it start around 19ish weeks for you?

[Clarecad]

I had the same. Couldn't turn over couldn't get out of bed without gearing myself first. It disappears totally after you've given birth. Very common in pregnancy some women end up on crutches to take the weight off.
There is a special pillow you can buy too. The condition does have a name but it escapes me rite now

[Clarecad]

www.womenshealthcaretopics.com/preg_hip_pain.htm

[emeraldgirl1]

Thanks Clare will check that out right now :)

[emeraldgirl1]

After Clare's v helpful post, I have found a pillow website... has anyone tried either a curved pillow or a full-length straight pillow? If so, any advice on which one is better for hip pain? The contour curved ones look a bit odd but more high-tech somehow...

[zigwig]

Hi. I'm having the same trouble, you're not alone. My hip wasn't great before being preggers now it's waking me in the night all the time. A lot of people seem to recommend dream genii pillows. I was always put off by the price as they are about £40 but I'm starting to think it might be worth it now. There's a few on eBay if you don't mind second hand.

[CharleeWarlee]

I have a full length straight pillow and its my best friend (Although I call it my boyfriend )

I started getting hip pain around 20 weeks, am now 34+4 and to turn over in bed I have to push myself off DP or grab his arm to hoist myself back Good job he's not a light sleeper hehe!

I do feel for you, its very painful and only gets worse I'm afraid, but my pillow does help alot

[emeraldgirl1]

Thanks everyone for posting - I have actually just bitten the bullet and gone online to get one of the DreamGenii ones - I am losing so much work time by being sleepy and in pain that I figure it's better to spend the £45 on the pillow and see if it helps at all. Though now am wondering if I should have followed your lead Charlee and just bought a (cheaper, I think) straight one. Oh, well, I'm willing to try anything right now.

Starting pregnancy yoga this week so maybe that will help a bit she says hopefully

[Gingerbreadlatte]

You have my full sympathy. I'm now 38wks and have had this since 12ish weeks. I've got full spd during the day and this at night.

Things I've done that have helped. Bearing in mind I'm much bigger so need more support. I.ve added bits as bump has expanded.

Put board under mattress to ensure its firmer - keeps body straight rather than curved sinking into bed.
Pillow under my knees - thin one to keep my hips level
Pillow between my knees to keep my hips level
Rolled up child's pillow in my back to stop me rolling backwards
Foam wedge under chest to stop me rolling forwards

Its a right palava as I have to rearrange it all every time I wake up to turn and I wake 5-6 times for a wee so I'm never sleeping much but it helps a lot. Maybe get yourself and osteo or chiro to help ensure your body is aligned and straight which can help.

Good luck. .

[YouWithTheFace]

Dreamgenii + antenatal Pilates helped a lot. I'm hypermobile, so it all rather falls apart from 10wks in the hip area. Also, make sure you are stretching your calves and quads, and that your posture is bang on all day - no sticking tummy out more than it is doing by itself, glutes firm and supportive, back as flat as possible.

[emeraldgirl1]

Youwiththeface thank you - may try pliates too but hoping yoga helps a bit. Other stretches a great idea, will try a few before bed.

Gingerbread I love your full-on pillow description! Will try something similar til my new pillow arrives. OUr mattress is v firm already thank goodness.

[ladymia]

I am 19 weeks and this started for me last night. I am 32 and was thinking the exact same thing this morning, had I started having kids when I was younger my poor body wouldn't be taking so much strain! :)

[emeraldgirl1]

ladymia :)

[CountryKitty]

I could have written your post myself Emeraldgirl!

Mine started at 11.5 weeks, but has only gotten v bad in the last week or so (now 26+3). I've been doing the whole pillow routine now for a bit and find it helps. I've got a hospital physio referral next week so hopefully that should prove useful...

I'm due to work up until 33 weeks but my doc says that if the spd gets very bad they would sign me off work. Don't want to go down that route at the moment but was good to know.

[CountryKitty]

Meant to say I'm 31 and pg with DD3. Never had this in my twenties with my other 2DD's! Age sucks!

[jinglesticks]

Try sleeping on top of a duvet. I use a double duvet folded in half and it has made a real difference. I also use a long pregnancy pillow. I have heard that sleeping on a sleeping bag (done up) helps if you have difficulty rolling over as its so slippery.

[BionicEmu]

I second sleeping on top of a spare duvet, really helped with the ache.

Also, something my physio told me about how to turn over in bed. Instead of flopping round on your back, when you're lying on your side bring your knees up and roll onto your front, so you're kneeling on hands and knees, then carry on rolling onto your other side.

It seems totally counter-intuitive, but it does help.

[Scroobius]

No tips as I'm 20 weeks and haven't slept for a full nigt for 3 weeks thanks to this pain BUT just to say I'm also 25 and still get it so not so sure it's all down to age!!

[Purplecatti]

I get this in the middle of the night, have done for weeks.
I've found getting onto all fours and doing that yoga move where you lean right back almost in a kowtow position and then rolling forward onto all fours again helps a bit and then taking paracetamol to help you stay asleep.
You might want to get out of bed to do it though. OH woke up whilst I was doing it and got a right shock.
I haven't found anything between my knees helped but lying so my back was straight but legs bent and hips in alignment does seem to lessen it.

[CharleeWarlee]

CountryKitty I dont think its age related. Im only 22 - this being my 3rd pregnancy.

Didnt have it at all with my other 2. I blame the father (this pregnancy is different dad to other 2)

[Hamnvik]

I have this too!! I have terrible posture mind you so it probably isn't helped by that.

Can anyone recommend a straight pillow? I don't fancy the DreamGenii one it looks too bulky but I've not found a decent straight one.

[spandau1980]

spd im getting it now from 22 weeks if its pain at front
if its pain in hips more back then its pelvic girdle pain
click grind bone pain :(

[EdsRedeemingQualities]

I just got a memory foam mattress. I'm sorry to go against the grain a bit but it hasn't solved the problem - though it has helped a bit.

I'm Ok now till I want to sit up or try to get up - then I still feel like my legs have been detached from my body.

But lying down is good. I'm 29 weeks btw.