PGP after birth anyone?

[MumOfTwoMasterOfNone]

I am still experiencing PGP after birth and I'm 7 months on. I'm still breastfeeding and it's worse on my period and it's starting to get me down. I can't even stand up to do a basic household chore without being in tears.
Does anyone have experience of this? Does it improve/is there anything I can do to help myself? I also have diastasis recti which may be making it worse?

Yes, I had it for a long time after giving birth. Actually it started in my first pregnancy and lasted until a year after the birth of my second child. I also had diastis recti.

I cannot reccomend enough going to a physiotherapist. Doctors are useless in my experience, they just fob you off and tell you it's normal. It's not! You need treatment and the sooner the better. They won't be able to do any hands on stuff while you're breastfeeding but they will be able to gives you los of exercises which will improve your core strength and all the muscles around your pelvis. When you've stopped feeding get seen again - it turns out my pelvis had healed back in the wrong position, one side twisted forward, which is very common.

But please push to get a physio referral, don't let them fob you off.

Btw I'm totally fine now - if u don't keep up with the exercises I get a bit of a bad back but that's it, totally cute after spending 3 years in pain.

Cured* although I am also totally cute

www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk

Exactly what Palcum said. In me it's linked to hypermobility but really it's pgp as the other elements have settled. Ribs are still a bit bad though. It's mainly my si joint.

Periods are really bad times - I didn't know relaxin is released then too and I think the other hormones can increase inflammation etc.

Stopping bf hasn't made a jot of difference - it's keeping strong that matters, so a really good physio is essential. I found a sorts physio good who I see through work insurance.

The tummy issue won't help as you need to help your core support your pelvis, so Pilates and specialist core stuff will help there.

The most important exercise aside core leg raises I've been told by my physio is side planks and I believe they help the DR too.

Do find a good physio asap.

Katy Bowman has written a lot about both issues and published a book plus physio videos if you want to look at self help. My physio also adjusts my pelvis which drops slightly one one side and stiffens up. This also impacts upper back / shoulders and he's given a fab relaxation exercise where you lie on a rolled up towel in your upper back to around your bar strap area. Katy Bowman also recommends that one.

(I've basically got the t shirt! I was worse though as became very weak post baby due to other systemic issues)

Towel exercise: so good if bf too for upper back. Just lie for a while and let the muscles relax.

I've been suffering with severe PGP for 20 years now. I'm sorry to hear you're still suffering MumOfTwo.

I would recommend you contact your GP and requesting a stork X-ray. It's done on one leg and will show up any movement or instability in your pelvis.

I second contacting the Pelvic Partnership. They might be able to put you in contact with a chiropractor or osteopath who specialises in treating PGP. More often than not they're much better than NHS physios.

I am currently watching as I think I am suffering from this now 10 days after the birth of dd but I keep getting told it's my hormones.

It took about two years before I felt normal again, and I still get twinges 5 years later when my period is due. Also I used to run, but struggle to run in a straight line now. I sort of weave all over the pavement like some mad baby giraffe. It doesn't really bother me though, I don't ever think about it much.

violetsunflower could you explain the towel exercise please?

Op, I'm 4 years down the line and as others have said, a physio who specialises in women's health is key to dealing with your pgp. I get flare ups from time to time and I ache when ovulating and having my period, but it's manageable. Stopping bf made no difference for me, gaining core strength, pilates and losing lots of weight did.

www.victoriamassagetherapy.ca/rolled-towel-exercise.html

I was told to do towel to roughly bra strap area but I try different lengths. Katy bowman says to try to do legs flat to stretch the psoas (I think?! Might have that wrong!)

My weak pelvis and core mean I have a slightly sway back (duck bottom) which in turn affects the upper shoulders - though carrying a child mainly did this! I find it just bloody amazing. I never had any shoulder issues before but they're v hypermobile.