Pelvic girdle pain

[GlassHearts]

Hello,
I am 17 weeks and already suffering with PGP. It's exhausting! I struggle to sleep at night as lying on my side just aches even with a pillow between my legs, the only comfortable position is lying on my back. Is it really that bad to lie on my back just to get an hour or so of sleep? I know it's preferable to lie on my left side but it's just too uncomfortable. I have tried physio and have been offered crutches and have a support belt. What else can I do?

Thank you

[LifeBeginsNow]

Have you looked at the pelvic partnership website? If you follow the tips now, it should help towards the end of your pregnancy and beyond.

You basically need to be very aware of how you move. I don't think you should stop moving (that's what I did and I'm paying for it now), just make sure you don't over do it and rest frequently.

It's not the best advice, but in the end I got used to the lack of sleep. I did have to stop work very early so I used to nap through the day. In the end, I was down to between 20-50 mins at a time before I had to get up and sit on the fitball.

Good luck. Hopefully you'll have a mild case and bounce back quickly.

[GipsyDanger]

I sympathise. I had this throughout my pregnancy to. I bought a memory foam topper and slept on top of my duvet with a blanket over me and various pillows. The only way I was remotely comfortable

[BigFatTent]

Here to offer sympathy but not much useful advice.

I suffered very badly from the first trimester. I got various support belts but not much help.

I found it's easier to sleep when you're not sharing a bed. Is that an option? Also I think a hard mattress helps.

I'm sorry to say nothing had a huge impact and I had pelvis problems for a long time after birth too.

I couldn't get physio but it might be good to persevere with it, especially before you get big because it might help in the long run. I became less mobile as the pregnancy went on. I think I learnt to put up with the pain but I could only take tiny steps and shuffle along. Hopefully physio will help avoid that.

[LifeBeginsNow]

BigFatTent - I probably will regret asking, but how long after birth did you suffer for? I'm 4 months now and have been in tears again today.

[GlassHearts]

Thank you for your replies. My partner has offered to sleep elsewhere but that makes me feel terrible as we don't have a proper spare bed.

I will have a look at the website tonight.

No one seems to get it and I just constantly get comments like "you're not even big yet" "still a long way to go" etc.

[BigFatTent]

It went on for me for about a year after birth. Sorry!

Straight after and for the first few months I could only sit in certain positions so breastfeeding in bed for example was not an option. Carrying the car seat was painful.

It wasn't all the time, and it did gradually improve but activities like going up a slope with a pushchair were the things that hurt for a long time.

[LifeBeginsNow]

BigFatTent - I knew I shouldn't have asked

Did you do anything to get better? I'm having physio and trying to be disciplined with the exercises but some of them hurt!

[ElodiePoissenot]

Pelvis girdle pain is always a tricky problem in pregnancy as first it is a general name gathering very different problems (sacro-iliac or pubis symphysis inflammation, piriform or gluteus muscle spasm...).

Secondly, even if the pain can have various origin the root cause of the problem is the same: your body adapting to the pregnancy changes (hormonal impregnation, postural change, muscle and ligament getting weaker...). Consequently, even if it is possible to have some relief from therapy and exercises, it commonly come back until you gave birth.

So either you lucky enough to never have the problem because your lucky star is with you or you did some prevention exercises, either you try to manage the symptoms.

To manage them therapists (physio, osteo, chiro...) can be a great help but find one who actually understand your problem and is able to explain it to you. You don't treat a pubis symphysis inflammation as you treat a piriform spasm...

Heat and gentle exercise can also be a great help. Keep moving (as long as it is not too painful) is very important as inactivity a vicious circle in pregnancy. As you do less, your body is less able to do so you do even less...
In your case pelvic mobility exercises could do the trick, there is some examples on this blog:
myfrenchphysio.london/womenhealth-obstetric/top-6-exercises-to-avoid-pelvic-girdle-pain-during-pregnancy/

Now if the pain increase or your start to be really limited to walk always speak with your GP and midwife.