PGP / SPD and exercise and caution

[philbee]

I'm 9 wks pg, and getting little pelvic joint niggles, esp at the end of the day. I had PGP with dd, which was pretty painful towards the end. So I'm trying to be careful with exercise, have stopped running, only do legs-together things in yoga, given up breaststroke etc.

But I'm finding the exercise restrictions frustrating, and I'm not sure if it's necessary at this stage. Should I be cautious? I seem to remember last time the physio said waiting for pain was a bad idea as I could be doing damage before the pain came on.

I asked the mw about physio referral and she said 'wait and see if it develops', which seems a bit rubbish really. Should I push for a referral?

Absolutely push for a referral. IME, pelvic niggles are spd developing!

And yes, you are right to be cautious. I had it about 9/10wks with dc3, didn't know what it was and by the time I realised I wasn't being soft, then convinced my gp I wasn't being soft it was too late and any physio I had was simply firefighting. I was on crutches early and spent best part of 3 months on monster meds for the pain.

Fast forward 4 years to this (final!) pg. I began physio exercised early on and as a result, staved off bad pain until a few weeks ago - I'm now 33wks. TBH I had no pain at all til about 20wks IIRC. I'm drug free most days and although I have pain, it's nothing like last time. Even the physio has said I'm a lot better this time. And I believe it's down to starting the exercises early and adopting best practice (knees together, sleeping on side, pillow between knees etc etc) from 5wks.

There's a thread on here called something like spd on a birthing ball. Full of us oddballs who suffer in this way - you'd be most welcome!

Thank you! Will find that thread and call the midwives today for a referral. I can't afford to have it badly this time because I'm looking after dd, whereas at least last time i was just in an office all day.

Exactly - you have to put yourself first, and it's not easy when you have other children, I know.

You may have to be pushy, but it will be worth it! See you on the other thread.

I agree, be pushy. I had hip and back pain in 2nd tri and could barely walk at times. It was depressing and made me feel very negative about the pregnancy. After a GP appointment and 2 physio appointments it is now so so much better. They give you loads of changes you can make to improve the symptoms. I never expected it to get better.