In a lot of pain, and not sure what to do.

[PurplePunkPrincess]

I'm 34+2 and in a lot of pain with spd. Everything is uncomfortable or painful and walking to my downstairs loo is only just manageable. I haven't done too much, as am lucky to be able to rest. But I still am struggling. I'm taking paracetamol but it's not helping. I was given a support belt but that does nothing. Most of the pain is on one hip and I can barely put any weight on that leg now. I can't bear the thought of going another 6-8 weeks like this!

Should I ring my midwife, doctor or physio as I am not seeing the mw for 2 weeks and not sure I can struggle through until then.

[Mummymidwife87]

If you can access a chiropractor they will be your best bet. They are usually fantastic as sorting out pelvic pain in pregnancy.

[PurplePunkPrincess]

Would I be able to get that on nhs? And do you know if I would need to see my gp or mw to ask for that?

[curiousgeorgie]

I totally sympathise with you, I had the same pain and it was terrible. After the birth though the pain was gone, so hopefully this will be the case for you?

My midwife was helpful, I think that would be my first port of call? Can you try and not sit in the same position for too long and try to turn over etc with your knees kept together?

[swampusdonkus]

It's awful, isn't it? I have it concentrated in my groin, and moving about/turning over/getting up can be agony. I had referral to physio via my consultant and through them I have:

*crutches (which can seem like a pain in the ass but do help to reduce the weight bearing down on your pelvis/groin/hips).

*hydrotherapy - mild exercises in a heated pool at the hospital. The feeling of weightlessness is wonderful, and I also go to my local pool on top of this just to float for an hour. Your body feels heavy when you get out but the water is extremely soothing.

*a slide sheet for turning over/getting in and out of bed. Not getting on brilliantly with this as it is noisy and sticks in you but some people really benefit from using them.

*been given advice on painkillers - in the first instance paracetamol, then co-codamol, and if horrendous you can take codeine or tramadol. This is a personal choice really but the GP is happy that they are safe. I try and stick to paracetamol but take co-codamol if it is agonising. The advice was, interestingly, to take pain-relief pre-emptively rather than reactively, so codeine, for example, three times a day rather than just when you are really suffering.

The other thing that has really helped is a simple pillow between the knees when sleeping/lying down. Helps to balance the weight and really does make a difference. I was also advised to get a support belt but they are not available on the NHS here so trying to avoid that if necessary given I only have 3 weeks left, but would have done so if all the other support wasn't in place. I feel very fortunate that so much help is offered here (through the big teaching hospital).

So I would see you midwife for a referral to physio, speak to your GP about more effective pain relief and if you can - get in a pool to float. Good luck!

p.s. I seethe when people say that it is just normal pregnancy aches and pains - arghhhhhh - it so isn't!

[PurplePunkPrincess]

Thanks for replies. I had it in my last pregnancy but not this bad. I have already spoke to my mw, consultant and physio. I have followed all the advice I've been given, keeping legs together, using a pillow in between my legs etc.

The support belt is of no help to my hip and they said they will only give crutches if there is a feeling of weakness in my leg. Which there isn't, I struggle to bear weight on one leg because of the pain in my hip.

I'm going to take some better painkillers for today I think

[Fairypants]

I've been to see an osteopath who actually took all the pain away for a 3 weeks. It was expensive (£40) but well worth it.
I gather some physios will manipulate the joints in a similar way to osteopaths or chiropractors so its worth trying (mine specified they won't at my hospital as they don't have time). Also some trusts will refer to chiropractors or osteopaths so cost is covered on Nhs- again mine won't. I couldn't walk without crutches for the last 5 months of my 2nd pregnancy and I was in agony so, for me, it's worth paying out to keep off them.

[justhayley]

Acupuncture - can't recommend it enough, I booked 5 sessions but was sorted after 1