Pelvic girdle pain

[MK0703]

Has anyone suffered with pelvic girdle pain and if so what worked best for you I’m currently 31 weeks pregnant and it’s getting worse each day the pain is horrendous at times, im trying to work up till I’m 38 weeks pregnant but at this rate I won’t be able to, I have heard that I can get a support for it does anyone know if the midwife or hospital will provide these or am I best just buying one?

Your midwife should be able to refer you to physio, they did with me (although it was during 2020 so physio just gave me printed out instructions). I found that an exercise ball helped but only whilst I was on it. As soon as I got off it would come on again!

Have you tried a long pillow between your legs at night? Gosh I don't miss those days

They can refer you to physio but depending on where you live, this can take a long time. Mine had a 3 month waiting list. I ended up just ordering my own crutches off Amazon and getting a friend who is an OT to fit it for me.

I had horrendous PGP in my first pregnancy. The physio they referred me for didn't work as it was just about sitting on Swiss balls etc, rather than treating the pain. What really helped after the pregnancy as I still had it was an osteopath who specialised in it. Sympathies, I remember the agony!

Try tying a scarf tightly around your hips in the meantime, ring your mw for a physio appt. Don't open your legs wide getting out of car etc.

Ooooh this brings back memories of the agony, you have my sympathy OP!

I had physio, one of those belts helped and I also found a good osteopath gave some relief.

But, ultimately, I ended up signed off for quite a long time at the end of my pregnancy.

On the up side - it greatly resolved as soon as the baby vacated, although I did need follow up physio afterwards to get back to somewhere approaching normal.

I had it each time. Physio was a bit hit and miss to be honest. They did provide a support too, but it wasn't great quality so I bought myself one from Amazon which was really helpful. I also used a walking stick at times - hated it at first but it did make a huge difference!

So much sympathy! I did the NHS physio (again during Covid) and they just gave me some exercises and told me to come back if was still an issue after birth. I paid for private physio (women’s health specialist) who did massage which helped at first but eventually didn’t.

I went to the local pool and did an aqua aerobics class (average age was about 70) and that felt like a good way to exercise. I also did walking in the pool with a float.

It did unfortunately get worse for me and in the end the GP said I could take tramadol (I think!) but I was too worried about impact on the baby so I didn’t. I ended up getting signed off work for last 3 weeks (though I think employer could have just made me start mat leave early, I was lucky).

Something that reassured me was when the physio said anyone can get it - elite cross-trainers etc, so wasn’t down to my lack of strength training or anything! Also it disappeared straight after birth and apparently just because you have it in this pregnancy doesn’t guarantee you’ll have it if you get pregnant again x

PGP is usually caused by slight slipping of the joints at your pubic bones. To keep this to a minimum you want to keep your pelvis in alignment as much as possible.

avoid stairs
avoid any big steps, especially getting into or out of a car one leg at a time.

try and sit straight and sleep using a pillow between your legs.
buy a support belt
sit on a gym ball/ try pregnancy Pilates
take paracetamol if required.

refer to physio if no improvement but it will be much the same advice.
if you have an epidural in labour be super careful not to get into any positions that will cause it to get worse while you are numb.

It will get better.

I was referred to physio, it didn't help at all. The only thing that worked was going for 1 hour swim practically every day. Otherwise I would have ended up on crutches

You probably won't be seen by a physio now if the wait is anything like it is near me. Main things are to sleep with a pillow between your legs, and never open your legs wide - so keep your knees together and swing yourself round when you're getting out of bed or out of the car. Exercise ball is also good. I found some relief sitting on a heated blanket too! Sympathies, it's bloody awful but usually resolves when you give birth!

I could barely walk last few weeks of 2nd pregnancy because of this. The pregnancy ball felt like it made it worse not better for me! The thing that made it better was the baby being born, the difference was immense and immediate

There's a really good FB group called the pelvic partnership UK PGP. It's really good for advice. I suffered badly with my second I could barely walk by the end so you have my sympathy.

I saw a private chiropractor in the end as the NHS physio did no manual manipulation which is what you really need with pgp.

I had a horrific time and could barely walk. The hospital group didn't really help. I got a support belt thing but as soon as I sat down it dug into my bump so I couldn't wear it. I had a difficult birth. The physio after said my hip joint was pulled out of alignment so fixed that. Please at least try the physio. I went to a pilates class. The teacher showed me one move which fixed me completely. It felt better instantly. It is worth a try.

I ended up on crutches and signed off at 21 weeks (twins). Physio was useless, went to a private austio who at lease for me mobile. It was horribly painful so you have my sympathy

Your midwife should be able to do a referral to physio. Also recommend googling the pelvic partnership. They can also signpost you to treatments such as manual therapy.

I had terrible PGP which kicked in around 22 weeks. I finally broke at 31 weeks and paid for a private osteo which helped heaps!