to go to the doctors over this?

[LottaLottie]

Out doctors surgery has posters up everywhere stating that if you can treat something at home, you don't need to come to the GP, that appointments are being wasted on minor ailments and that people should think before booking. I entirely agree, but not sure if my problem is one to take to my doctor.

I'm 26 weeks pregnant and went for a really long walk the other day. I was with other people who were walking fast, I asked numerous times for them to slow down and they did, but the pace always picked up. I felt like such a nag that I just continued and suffered in silence. Silly me.

My ligaments are killing me. So painful. I feel like I've been punched in the stomach/bladder regions. I didn't realise at the time that it would be so bad after and was suffering more on the breathlessness front.

Annoyed at my friends and myself, in a lot of pain and not sure whether the GP will just tell me to sod off. Paracetamol not cutting it.

Would you go to your GP? Or would you accept that you could've prevented this, there's not much you can do and just suffer on?

Make the appointment. My poor sister was crippled to the point of needing crutches in her last pregnancy. If she's been seen by the GP (and then physio) she would have been much better off.

This happened to me when I ran for a bus and I phoned my midwife who referred to me to pregnancy physio instead... might be something for you to consider instead of the GP?

I’m not sure what your gp would be able to do. Sounds like you just need to rest up and take ibuprofen. It’s a bit like doing too much in the gym and then aching the next day. You wouldn’t go to the gp for that!!

@ladyvimes just a heads up, I wouldn't advise for any pregnant woman to take anything on mn unless you're medically aware. Ibuprofen can be really dangerous in pregnancy. One of the reasons why I am considering seeing my GP as paracetamol isn't touching the edges. Not a dig at you in the slightest, just a warning that ibuprofen is unsafe during pregnancy!

Thanks all. I'm in so much pain, it's verging on agony. If I wasn't pregnant and still working I would likely just muscle on through but I'm so uncomfortable anyway and this just adds to it all...

The GP is likely to prescribe cocodamol (happened when I had aches and pains and never went away in my case). You can buy 8mg codeine with paracetamol over the counter. The pharmacist may be funny about giving it to you if pregnant, despite it being safe and widely prescribed to pregnant women. So in the past I asked my DH to buy it for me and not mention the pregnancy. Same for breastfeeding, although it varies by pharmacy.

To be on the safe side go to the GP. I’m forever putting off appointments because I feel guilty and then being told off for it. Don’t feel guilty and don’t go out walking again so long.

YANBU @LottaLottie, I saw a physio at around 30 weeks pregnant last summer when I couldn't put one foot in front of the other without massive pelvic pain. She gave me exercises and stretches that helped massively. It took a few weeks from seeing the GP until getting appointment so perhaps be prepared to go private if the pain is awful. Go see your GP!

A - don't take ibuprofen in pregnancy.

B - I'm 38 weeks so I know that pain.

Any chance does it feel like a massive stitch right near your whole pelvic area that peaks when doing too much then goes away with rest?

PGP/SPD can really hurt and it could just be a matter for the midwife (GP may just tell you to go there depending on where you are).

Your at the stage ligaments are getting looser and that does hurt, you can have cocodamol but for your own mind check with a chemist or midwife.

Hot water bottles over hips and feet up for a wee bit, try not to over do and any issues your not sure about then call the clinic.

Good luck.

I would suggest to contact your midwife first as they can give you pregnancy specific advice, they will tell you if they think you need to see your GP. Hope you are feeling better soon.

I don't think the GP will be able to do anything for you. I'd rest for a couple of days then see how you feel.

And be aware Physio in pregnancy varies, one area had a specialist service. I moved borough for my second and was told to go away and come back when not pregnant. I’ve spent a fortune on Private physio since (ended up with surgery which all physios missed diagnosing). If you have any hint of hyper mobility already you need to be super careful. But also keep very fit with the right type of exercise - under specialist physio/PT supervision.

No I wouldn't. A GP won't be able to do anything. You need rest. Mention it to your midwife on your next visit.

Can you ask for your doctor to give you a call? Our surgery offers this (I think it's called Triage) and they can advise weather to come in or see midwife etc. Hope you're comfortable soon

Sound like SPD or similar. Do you have any hyper mobility related condition/collagen disorder (or symptoms, as pregnancy can “unmask” previously undiagnosed people).

It’s no fun at all- I could barely walk in later pregnancy, and was in a lot of pain even laying in bed. But you need to be VERY careful about physio, if it’s offered, as if you have a heritable collagen disorder, physio designed for “normal” injured people can cause significant damage. Definitely discuss with GP or Midwife as it may be relevant for the delivery of your baby due to the risks of hips dislocating - extra care may need to be taken.

My sister's midwife was absolutely useless and part of the reason she got as bad as she did. GP was disgusted and said she should have been referred much earlier and they could have done more.

Make the appointment.

I would make the appointment and try to rest in between. As it is likely to be a least a week before you are seen you would have endured enough pain to warrant a doctor visit. If it goes with rest then you can cancel.

Thanks all! What I'll do is call my midwife tomorrow and see what they say. I can honestly hardly walk. Part of me thinks it'll just take a bit of rest but I guess my midwife is best placed to discuss this with me...

If you are really suffering, struggling to sleep and move etc you can call the out of hours. I suffer severe chronic pain after pregnancy so know how debilitating it is. OTC cocodamol, or stronger, is a potential outcome and was for me. Don’t just suffer if you are struggling.

I had similar to this in pregnancy. I wasnt able to walk more than gentle pottering about. Rest is the key. I would phone your midwife and discuss it with her but during my pregnancies i learnt how to manage it by limiting the amount of walking.

Your midwife can only refer you for physio, it’s your GP you need to see for stronger pain relief likely codine or co codomol.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/pelvic-pain-pregnant-spd/#when-to-get-help-for-pelvic-pain-in-pregnancy

Nhs advise

If anyone is reading this and has pelvic pain, please, please visit The Pelvic Partnership's website. They have loads of info on managing pregnancy related pelvic girdle pain (PGP - previously known as SPD). It can be treated with manual therapy, but unfortunately not enough midwives and other health professionals are offering referrals to women so please push for it.

I had PGP in three pregnancies, was on crutches and in constant pain. It affected both my physical and mental health and I am just lucky that I had people close to me who recognised the symptoms early on, or it would have been a lot worse. PGP can have long term effects if not treated so please do get help.

I now volunteer with the Pelvic Partnership as their website was really life changing for me. Good luck to all PGP mums x

If your midwife can refer for physio great, otherwise a GP appointment for this pain in pregnancy is definitely reasonable.