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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

painful hips joints at night... arrrrrggghh!!!

54 replies

emeraldgirl1 · 22/10/2012 07:27

Am 19 weeks and I've just started to suffer really badly with painful hips in the night. Wakes me up and I have to roll over, only for it to start up again on the other side a couple of hours later...

I've been Googling and read mixed reports about whether or not a pillow between the knees helps. Guess I can't hurt to try but the consensus seems to be it has to be a pillow all the way down the length of your legs and not just between your knees. Where on earth would I find such a pillow?!

Any other suggestions VERY gratefully receieved - I'm creeping around this morning like a little old lady.

Now, this is why I should have had a child at 21 instead of 36... Wink

OP posts:
EdsRedeemingQualities · 22/10/2012 18:21

Oh and do be careful when you go to the dentist. I was there today, and when they said sit up and have a rinse, there was a moment when I wasn't sure if it would happen or if they'd have to bring in an A-frame to winch me out. Blush

It is exactly the wrong angle!

mrsbugsywugsy · 22/10/2012 20:33

I'm 27 weeks and just starting to get this.

Last night I tried the pillow and it didn't help plus I woke up with hideous leg cramps - it felt as though my bottom leg was being crushed under the pillow so I'm not trying that again. Unless I was doing it wrong, somehow?

I already have a memory foam mattress, so I wonder whether this would have come on earlier if I didn't.

mrsbugsywugsy · 22/10/2012 20:38

I'm 27 weeks and just starting to get this.

Last night I tried the pillow and it didn't help plus I woke up with hideous leg cramps - it felt as though my bottom leg was being crushed under the pillow so I'm not trying that again. Unless I was doing it wrong, somehow?

I already have a memory foam mattress, so I wonder whether this would have come on earlier if I didn't.

mrsbugsywugsy · 22/10/2012 20:38

oops, don't know why that posted twice!

Gusthetheatrecat · 22/10/2012 21:11

Argh - lots of sympathy. I have a big pregnancy pillow which I have used for all three of my pregnancies, which has been invaluable.
this one

This time I used it from about 8 weeks. Is great because it supports the whole of your body, and you can adjust the beans inside depending on how much support you need. It goes between your knees, and you can squidge a bit under your bump, and then cuddle the top. I can't cope without it! When we've been away I've tried to make do with lots of pillows but it's just not the same, and I always sleep badly.

Other stuff that really helps is making sure you keep your hips totally symmetrical during the day. Getting in and out of the car is a particular killer. I was told to pretend I was a member of the Royal family: swing both knees together and then climb out once you've done 90 degrees. Ditto turning over in bed: keep knees together (will be re-reading the advice above about other ways to turn over!). I find getting up also potentially flares things up. I need to stand up totally symmetrically, then start turning my body to go where I need to.

cupcake78 · 22/10/2012 21:26

I had this and bought a bolster pillow for my last pregnancy. It was brilliant and really helped.

For this pregnancy I've got an e pillow as I know how important sleep and comfort is when your pregnant and especially afterwards.

V shaped pillows can be good as well.

YouSmegHead · 22/10/2012 21:37

I tried a pillow but it made me too hot. I used an anti bed sore sheepskin thingy under my sheet and it worked fantastic till almost the end.

Tay1981 · 23/10/2012 04:25

So glad I'm not the only one suffering with this. Been waking me in the night for about 2 weeks now and I'm 21weeks. Is it SPD or something different? I know some people who've had SPD and know how crippling it can be - when I started with the hip pain I was worried it might be the start of it. Whats pelvic girdle pain? Anyone know the difference? I didn't have this with DD1 and I was 27 then as opposed to 31 now.

Gonna look for a dream genii......can you get them in America??

SpringFlowers · 23/10/2012 05:32

I've had this for weeks too...although it's expensive oesteopathy has really helped me. I went from barely being able to move in the night to virtually no pain.

OneOfMyTurnsComingOn · 23/10/2012 05:35

Try taking some paracetamol before going to bed. Won't make it disappear, but might take the edge off. Is it only at night?

HastaLanugo · 23/10/2012 06:33

Def sounds like SPD/ Pelvic Girdle Pain. I am using one long body pillow. Bottom half between knees and too half under bump. I have had this in both pregnancies, including a particularly bad time earlier in this pregnancy. I was on crutches for a few weeks, followed by a period of respite. I saw GP sharpish and had weekly physio on the NHS. It's starting to come back now at almost 24 weeks

Keep your legs together, no unnecessary walking/strain, Pilates to strengthen your core and a visit to the Pelvic Partnership website could help.

HastaLanugo · 23/10/2012 06:35

Tay, SPD relates specifically to the symphysis pubis - the pubic area. PGP is the more accurate term as pregnancy related pelvic pain can affect the entire pelvic girdle: hips, SI (lower back), under your bum etc.

Queenofsiburbia · 23/10/2012 07:06

Oh poor you. I had exactly the same at around the same time & after a while started to think it was because our mattress is old & not supportive. I slept in our spare room as it has a firm mattress but that put pressure on upper back (between shoulder blades).

I'm afraid solution for me was a new medium softness mattress! (previous one was a cheaply DH had had since a student so an upgrade was overdue). It absolutely changed my life - feel like goldilocks finding the one that was 'just right'! - & since new mattress I sleep all through the night.

I'm now 34 weeks, have come back to stay at DM's for my last time as a non mummy and have found hip pain has returned, so I do really think it was the mattress.

I also started swimming at about 30 weeks & that has been heaven as it relieved weight pressure on back. I made sure not to do strokes that separate legs (like breast stroke)!

Good luck getting comfy & with rest of pregnancy.

Original poster
emeraldgirl1 · 23/10/2012 08:45

Thanks again everyone and huge sympathies to those who are sharing the misery... I had a terrible night with it last night, up at 2am and creeping round the place like a 90 year old to try to loosen hips. Pillow arriving today so please dar Lord let that help!! Did a yoga dvd this morning to stretch out after the terrible night and it was pleasant, but fear not much help when the nighttime looms.

Has anyone else heard anything about walking being 'bad'? I did go for a long walk on Sunday (the day it started really badly) and then walked a lot again yesterday. I thought walking and movement would be good... but am I hopelessly wrong?

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HastaLanugo · 23/10/2012 09:42

emerald walking is bad for SPD/PGP. As is standing for any length of time and anything that involves parting your legs. The best thing is rest, rest, rest! (But with some mild core strengthening exercises to help you along). The physio I have been having isn't exercise, but rather she manipulated/massaged areas to reduce tension and give welcome relief. MWs and GPs also recommend taking the max paracetamol dose, to allow it to build up in the system and keep pain at bay rather than treat once it hurts.

Original poster
emeraldgirl1 · 23/10/2012 09:48

Hasta thank you so much.

Is this PGP, then, do you think? (I am aware you are on t'internet, have never met me, and so don't expect a definitive diagnosis! Wink) I thought (mistakenly?) that SPD/PGP involved pain in the pelvis and groin?

My pain is located only in the hip (and a little down the side of each thigh). Does that 'qualify'? Should I be going to my GP and/or trying to get some physio, rather than relying on a bit of yoga and a new pillow...?

OP posts:
ladymia · 23/10/2012 09:49

emeraldgirl1 i am sorry that you had another night of it last night :(

thanks to those that suggested sleeping on top of a duvet! i slept on top of 2 of the highest tog duvets i had last night and it really did help a lot.

let me know how you get on with the pillow emeraldgirl i am tempted to get one but i am not sure i will get a long with it

Original poster
emeraldgirl1 · 23/10/2012 10:00

ladymia thank you for the sympathy... and for the duvet suggestion! I'll try that tonight along with the new pillow. I'll feel a bit like the princess and the pea, I think! Will let you know how the pillow goes...

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HastaLanugo · 23/10/2012 10:23

I am affected mainly in my hips, but all over really. PGP affects the whole pelvic girdle, which includes the hip joints. The fact that walking makes it worse also suggests PGP to me. I would genuinely suggest making a GP appointment and asking for a physio referral. They'll be able to have a feel and suggest the right help. I wear a hip support belt, which really helps with walking. Perhaps less stress on your hips in the day will lead to lower pain levels at night?

Of course, access to physio varies very much from area to area, but if you are being woken in the night when turning etc, I'd say it merits some medical attention. But that is only from my two-pregnancy experience!

(Right now it's my actual SPD giving me grief - feel like I have a battered and bruised fanjo!)

www.pelvic-girdle-pain.co.uk/

Original poster
emeraldgirl1 · 23/10/2012 11:54

Thanks agina Hasta - that website looks incredibly useful. I will make a GP appointment for later in the week and see what they suggest. I definitely want to try out the pillow and other remedies first as otherwise I know the GP will probably just tell me to try that and come back in a few weeks if it's no better...

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Original poster
emeraldgirl1 · 23/10/2012 11:54

Oh and hasta sorry to hear you're suffering... :(

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BionicEmu · 23/10/2012 12:46

I have a support belt and it really helps with walking. I had to buy it myself from my physio's recommendation, but it just holds everything together while you walk. I have a promedics maternity support belt type B (I think!).

Also, for those who aren't sure about pillows - since I'm a cheap-skate and baulked at the cost of long pillows, I started off just using 2 pillows lengthwise. After a few nights I realised it was helping, so I just roughly sewed the pillows together Blush

BionicEmu · 23/10/2012 12:48

emerald I don't know where you.are, but in my.area we can self-refer to physio, no GP appt needed. I just called my MW to get the number and sorted it all myself.

Original poster
emeraldgirl1 · 23/10/2012 12:49

Thanks Emu - haven't heard about support belts. Will investigate...

OP posts:
Original poster
emeraldgirl1 · 23/10/2012 12:49

Emu am in London - can you do that for NHS physio or is that for private?

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