Sorry Jelly cant think of anything apart from a massage to relax any tightened muscles in that area. I think it's apply heat for muscles, cold for joints but not medically trained and would not like to advise in terms of treatment for pregnant ladies and their unborn babies. Do you have a physio based at your local maternity hospital? We have one here and I have heard they have helped a lot of ladies.
Clapham You should give yourself a huge pat on the back. I refused to have my SIL stay over this Summer for the very difficulties you have stated. Now at nearly the age of 40 I am learning to be selfish having always put others first.
I am now very obnoxious in this pregnancy and snapped at my mother on the phone tonight.
My extended family situation is a mess if it makes you feel any better. I have no in laws (or outlaws as I like to call them) both died young due to smoking related illness. My one sister in law is a recovering alcoholic and lives 200 miles away. My father is estranged (for past 6 years) nasty piece of work - physically and emotionally abusive. My one brother takes after him and I try not to meet up with him apart from mutually swapping birthday cards for our children. My other brother is completely dominated by controlling sister in law. I have lived in this house for 2 years and my sister in law has never visited once in all this time all she cares about is herself. I do like this brother very much and would spend more time with him if I could.
Mother rings up tonight (after two weeks) complaining that she is tired because she has been baby sitting my nieces and nephews. Lives 30 minutes away in the car but might as well be the other side of the country to me - never once offered to help with DD etc. since pregnancy but said she would do more if she lived on the door step! I snapped tonight and suggested that perhaps she ring back when she is feeling less tired (continuous yawning by mother down the phone). She eventually asked me how I was! I started saying how difficult things were without much support (directed at her not DH who is v. supportive) and we then quickly ended the call (call not headed in a very good direction by this point).
All this makes me slightly resentful/envious of other supportive family situations but it does make me strong too and I do feel somewhat empowered.
My immediate family DH and DD are wonderful and I make every effort to be there for DD in any way I can. So far we have a really close relationship, something I can't say I had with my own mother.
Sorry about the long rant but feeling very sensitive to things at the moment.