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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Anyone had really bad groin and inner thigh pain during pregnancy?

88 replies

AggiePanther · 08/02/2006 23:43

Hi, I'm 17+3 and have been suffering with this pain for about 6 weeks. Its getting worse and worse. It feels like I've been kicked really hard in the groin and the pain goes down my right inner thigh. Its fine when I'm lying still but if I try to lift my leg or walk it really really hurts. I had the same pain when pregnant with dd 11 years ago and it got so bad that by the end of my pregnancy I could hardly walk ..they told me it was sciatica, but I know it wasn't because I've had sciatica and it was nothing like this. It also dissappeared almost as soon as I'd given birth. My consultant has referred me to pain clinic but I'm still waiting ..I just wanted to know if anyone else is suffering/has suffered with this and could advise me on what it is and how to deal with it. I thought it might be spd but it wasn't overly painful when the doc pressed on my sp joint so don't think it's that now. Any ideas? It really is agony now

OP posts:
gingernut · 08/02/2006 23:55

Sounds like SPD to me, the pain down inner thighs I thought was a symptom will try and find a link. While you are waiting for your referral you could get a support belt (I bought one from JoJo or Blooming Marvellous but was also lent one by physiotherapist later in pg)..

waterfalls · 08/02/2006 23:57

yes, sounds like spd.

gingernut · 08/02/2006 23:57

here , look under symptoms. I suggest you try to get a referral to a physiotherapist.

gingernut · 09/02/2006 00:00

The belt I bought was like this which may give you some relief (takes weight off the joint to some extent) but if you are this bad at 17+3 I think you will probably need something more substantial.

mcmudda · 09/02/2006 00:08

dEfinitely sounds like SPD - sorry you've got it so early on.

Do not squat down for anything - like loading washing machine - always close your legs when bending down for anything.

A belt will really help, but a physio will be able to advise exercises and positions that will help as well as the ones to really really avoid.

The only way to ease the pain is to do absolutely nothing and rest - not easy though.

Don't push a heavy shopping trolley either - that's a killer!

You may be a little limited for labouring positions too when the time comes, but if your og is problem free other than the SPd, then a pool would help.

mcmudda · 09/02/2006 00:09

That's pregnancy not og - doh.

AggiePanther · 09/02/2006 00:11

Thanks ..yes the symptoms all sound right for spd apart from the lack of tenderness over the joint ..but I guess you don't have to get all of the symptoms? I don't have a huge bump yet to support with a belt but if its anything like last time it will come in handy later. I was thinking about an osteopath as I have a bit of a lack of faith in doctors after first pregnancy ..(I was basically sent away and told to get on with things)..although it was 11 yrs ago so I guess things will be different ...but anyone had osteopathic help for this?

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AggiePanther · 09/02/2006 00:13

thanks mcmudda --we crossed posts there I think. I don't think I'll be able to have a pool because I have to have a planned epidural fairly early on in labour due to cardiac problems (never rains but it pours!) but I guess at least I won't feel it then!

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waterfalls · 09/02/2006 00:14

Sleep on your side wirg a pillow between your knees.

waterfalls · 09/02/2006 00:15

with even

AggiePanther · 09/02/2006 00:20

Thanks waterfalls ..yes I discovered that by accident..it does help a lot. But then again at the moment it seems that just resting helps ..its when I have to do something (anything)that I get problems. Thank God for dp ..he's fetching and carrying constantly

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waterfalls · 09/02/2006 00:23

I had SPD, while carrying twins, not sure I slept at all in the last 4 weeks, every position hurt, though I did have it fairly bad, I had to use crutches, I found the further I was propped up in bed (almost in the sitting position)the better it was.

AggiePanther · 09/02/2006 00:34

Ouch! not looking forward to that ...can't remember what I was like at night with dd, but I remember not being able to walk ...oh actually I do remember it was a nightmare getting up to go for a pee at night, really painful and it seemed like every half an hour towards the end.

By the way when did your symptoms go away ?

OP posts:
waterfalls · 09/02/2006 00:40

I think soon after giving birth, but the pain of recovering from a C section took over, lol

AggiePanther · 09/02/2006 09:42

bumping in case someone else has anything to add

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kayzed · 09/02/2006 13:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Enid · 09/02/2006 13:09

spd or ppp

freakishly flexible joints make you a prime suspect I am afraid

mcmudda · 09/02/2006 13:10

AP - I had an epidural too. That's when some permanent damage can occur - because you're not aware of the pelvic pain and so open your legs "too" wide IYSWIM. Make sure all the staff present know you have pelvic pain and let them see how far you can open your legs before you have the epidural.

I wasn't allowed a pool either cos of previous emergency c-section - grr.

My m/ws were fantastic and never let my legs go further than the "pain free gap". some people have tied a bit of string round their knees to prevent them straining too far!

Dd is now 7.5 mths and the pain is almost completely gone - just have to be careful lifting the car seat and pushing the pram (esp with big ds on the buggy board - v heavy). Oh and not being too adventurous during sex - I've been walking like John Wayne a couple of times recently.

My physio said that because it's a hormonal thing it can take 6-12 mths to disappear completely. And it may or may not happen in another pregnancy.

Get a suport belt from the physio btw!

Don't sit with your legs crossed or cross legged on the floor.

Don't lift anything that can wait until your dp can do it - seriously. I would do one daft thing and be paying for it for the next few days

My Gp and surgery m/w weren't overly sympathetic about my pain, so I bypassed them and spoke to the m/w at the hospital at one of my appts. who referred me to a physio in the maternity unit. Once i had an "official" diagnosis then the surgery etc took me seriously. Annoying but worth it.

You might just have to pester people to get heard - but once you can give it a name people will bend over backwards to help - even if you can't (groan...)

AggiePanther · 09/02/2006 23:39

Thanks that's really really useful..didn't think about opening my legs too far with an epidural ..Was in so much pain today I rang consultants secretary to find out about my pain clinic referall and guess what? Nothing had been done and nothing written in the notes about it either (its been 3 weeks since my appointment). Sec says she'll chase it up but I won't hold my breath ...been trying to get osteopath appointment since ...is physio likely to be better than osteopath ..anyone know?

OP posts:
kayzed · 10/02/2006 15:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AggiePanther · 13/02/2006 17:09

just bumping in case anyone else has any advice

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AggiePanther · 23/02/2006 17:22

Well have had appointment with osteopath, and now physio and consultant and they all agree ..I have symphysis pubis and sacro iliac joint dysfunction! ...phew ..what a mouthful. They're going to see how I get on with a support belt and painkillers ..but are seeing me regularly. Thanks for all your advice and help ladies

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donnie · 23/02/2006 18:09

lots of sympathy from me....I had awful groin and leg pains in my 3rd trimester with dd2. Docs/MWs always said it was due to the positioning of the baby and there was nothing they could do, it was a bugger.
I also have hypermobility in my leg and hip joints like kayzed which I awlays felt was an advantage, not so sure now!

good luck

flutterbee · 23/02/2006 18:32

Deffo spd I was the same from very early on in the pg.

lepeugh · 23/02/2006 19:53

Hi there,

I am 32 weeks pregnant and have been suffering from exact same thing. I was diagnosed with SPD about two months ago? I was given a belt and going to physio etc where she has given me lots of exercises for strengthening core muscles and pulling bump in and working on pelvic floor etc etc. However, as I was getting back pain too I bought a really majorly supportive soft cup maternity bra (my boobs are massive right now!!) The physio said the back pain could be aggrivated by not wearing supportive enough bra. ANYWAY....I got one and since then my groin pain has seriously eased off???????? I can't imagine what the link would be??? The physio seemed to think the whole thing was connected???? i.e. the groin pain was being aggrivated by the back pain and travelling round entire pubic area?

I am no doctor! But better bra really helped. As did sitting on one of those squishy birth balls and piling pillows between my legs when lying on my side.

Its total agony - u have my full sympathies!

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