TIPS THAT WORK ON SMALL BUDGET!
I've got severe PGP very early in pregnancy, around week 11. No one really believed me and no one understood the degree of pain. Except of my loving husband who witnessed my agony. The pain started gently and was getting a bit stronger day by day. The worst pain started after slouching on my comfy sofa with legs up. This started three weeks of the worst period of pain I've ever experienced in my life. Some women say labour pain is nothing in comparison with severe PGP, I'm soon about to find out, due next month. I still remember the worst moment when I was stranded in the bathroom unable to make even one step in flood of tears, standing on one leg for 10 minutes begging to be able to reach my bed 3 metres away. It was also so scary when it felt like my hip came out of my joint and I felt it wobbling while walking, making me very unstable. I was honestly disabled at that time, unable to stand or walk. As you can see my agony lasted 3 weeks - I was very lucky. And I strongly believe this is thanks to the adaptations that I've made:
- Buy satin pyjamas. This makes a world of difference when turning in bed. Remember to wear top as well, not only trousers and a t-shirt
- I was very lucky that we have foam mattress in a little room. Hard orthopaedic mattress in my bedroom gave me so much pain. If you can afford it, buy memory foam mattress (our is anyway from second hand shop for peanuts)
-buy bolster pillow or use any other pillow between your legs. I bought double size but I found it way too long as I hate using it under my bump. I use mine between legs only which I wonderful. It helps so much with PGP as it stops you from turning when you're asleep Remember, the pillow has to be not only between your hips and legs but all way up between your ankles. I recommend single size
- surprisingly turning with bolster was very painful. During worst period I had to take it out from between my legs, turn and put it back on
- Get used to walking exactly like Geisha!!!! This makes a world of difference, tiny steps with legs as close together as possible. Walk very slowly.
-Climbing steps - always one step at a time with both feet being joined on each step: start with stronger leg when going up and with painful when going down (as far as I remember)
-My single visit to physio was absolutely useless, I knew more tricks and adaptations for PGP than she did
- Tight trousers (e.g. jeans) were clearly making my pelvis hurt more, start wearing maternity trousers as early as you can
-When getting into and out of the car sit on large plastic bag. Get in and out keeping both legs tight together.
-My old car is a bit higher while my husband's has low suspension. My husband's car caused agony! We started using only my car for any journey I had to make
- Start doing weekly shopping online, eliminate any walking that you can avoid
- I bought wonderful chair pillow off Amazon for drivers & coccyx pain, with a little whole at the back. I use it everywhere up to today: on the office chair, at home. Never ever sit on the sofa. Even now sitting on the sofa triggers my pain. Always sit on the chair. During the worst pain I was sitting at home on hard plastic garden chair and it was the only one that wasn't giving me pain. Now I use only office chair which height needs to allow you to have hips higher than your knees). That's what sofa can't do.
- I tried crutches. They never removed my pain but allowed me to make a few steps during those 'flood of tears' moments
- I bought birthing ball and it was sometimes the only thing I could sit on. Since the pain went away I haven't used it too much though. But highly recommended for PGP. Remember to choose correctly 65 or 65cm according to your height
- Regulate your car seat higher
- I adapted my room completely by putting a chair close so that I have something to push against when getting up and sitting down. Always get up and into bed with legs fully together, one move at a time (first sit, then lay at the back like a roll, then turn to the preferred side)
- Walk ' in squares' with tiny pause before you make a turn. Break every movement you have to make into single steps , that's the best tip I can give you. This forced me to be getting to work 30 minutes earlier than usually but it was worth it.
- Later in pregnancy I still had several spells of PGP pain, always because I made some wrong movement, e.g. once I sat on the floor - what a mistake. The same happeded during my antenatal classes - never sitting on the floor !!!! Too long standing triggered it too as well as moments of temptation to sit on the sofa next to my husband. Each time PGP came back I had to return for 2-3 days to my adaptations and the pain gradually went away. That's why I clearly now that these adaptations really work!!!!
-I love sitting with one leg under my bottom on the chair - this is a huge no no!!!! Legs always flat together
Hope this helps, I truly understand what you're going through. Best wishes
