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Original poster

Aching legs, hips and lower back :( *sigh!*

13 replies

K8eee · 23/11/2013 17:31

I'm 23 weeks tomorrow, and I went out today in the cold but not a great deal of walking; just around the town at a fairly slow pace. Anyway, have got in, sat down and my god the awful aching I have in my lower half is awful Hmm any ideas what it is and why? Is it normal?

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MightilyOats · 23/11/2013 21:40

Might be spd/pgp setting in, have a look at pelvic partnership on google.

I had this from 5wks in my current preg, now 8+2. Physio said I had a lot of movement in my pelvis due to the ligaments relaxing, so my leg and back muscles were having to work harder to support it.

Hope it eases off soon, if not it's worth mentioning to gp and mw to get a referral to the physio. Good luck!

Felix90 · 23/11/2013 21:43

I agree, it may well be SPD. Mine started at 22 weeks and felt the same as you described. Sorry to say but I'm now 33 weeks and can't walk further than a few meters without being in agony. Speak to your midwife and she should refer you to physio which can help. Hopefully it's not the start of SPD and is just general aches and pains.

Original poster
K8eee · 23/11/2013 22:57

I'm hoping when I go to bed it totally eases off as I can't get comfy sitting or standing Hmm I've read physio sometimes aren't worthwhile, but will definitely mention it to my mw. I haven got an appt until December, should I text her and let her know before then? Any exercise or movement I can do in the meantime?

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Tractorandtree · 23/11/2013 23:01

Do you have a gym ball? If it is spd then I found that sitting on that was much more comfortable than sitting on the sofa/a chair.

Also afraid to say that bed may not be comfortable if it is spd, lie on your side with your legs slightly bent and try putting a pillow between your legs.

If it continues then I would recommend finding a good antenatal Pilates class with a teacher who understands back/hip problems in pg as I found that really helped.

A heat pack can help too and is ok on your back just don't use it on your side/front (as I'm sure you know)

Felix90 · 23/11/2013 23:09

To be honest, I had a physio appointment which was rubbish and they just gave me advice that I had already put in to practice as I'd looked it up on the net. Then they said 'if it still hurts in a couple of weeks, speak to your midwife.' I did speak to my midwife and she said it's pretty pointless having more physio as there's not really much you can do about it and you just have to put up with it. My GP said they can prescribe codeine if the pain gets really bad, but they try and avoid this if possible. Also a support belt may help with the pressure on your pelvis but I found it didn't do much for me. Everyone is different though so could be worth a try!

The only things I can suggest is sleeping with a pillow between your legs to ease the pressure on your hips. Try not to do too much as it will make the pain worse. I kept making the mistake of doing loads of housework/running errands as it didn't particularly hurt at the time but then I suffered big time once I eventually sat down and had a rest. Have warm baths (not too hot) as this is the only thing that seems to ease the pain for me. Also hot water bottles help too. The general rule is heat on your back and cold on your front (ice pack etc), and be careful not to get the hot/cold against your bump. Massages really help ease the pain too, if you have a partner who is willing to participate!

I'd probably give your midwife a ring if you're not due to see her for a while, and ask for a referral to the physio. It's worth seeing them just in case as you may find them a lot more helpful than I did.

Original poster
K8eee · 23/11/2013 23:10

I don't as of yet. May invest in one I think.

I've googled spd and the joint pains associated with pregnancy in your back, hips and legs but it's going down into my calves and ankles too Sad but doesn't mention anywhere on the internet about it spreading to these areas Blush

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Felix90 · 23/11/2013 23:11

Also agree with the gym ball thing. I bought one yesterday and it feels lovely to sit on. I can't sit on the sofa any more as it's so uncomfortable. Also until recently I could lay in bed and be pain free but now sleeping is a nightmare! Only 7 weeks to go...

Felix90 · 23/11/2013 23:13

K8eee it may be sciatica? I am not massively clued up on sciatica but I know it can affect your legs too. My sisters SIL was on crutches because of it Sad My SPD pain spreads down my thighs but that's as far as it seems to reach. Definitely speak to your midwife just in case Smile

MightilyOats · 23/11/2013 23:41

ATM mine goes down the front and side of my thighs, hips feel like they pinch when I raise a leg. I do get achy calves too, so think all related. Is it shooting pain or achy throb?

Physio needs to be either obstetric physio or a hands-on manipulating physio. One I saw in first pg didn't have a clue Hmm

Original poster
K8eee · 24/11/2013 04:10

It's more of a really heavy ache Hmm and dull pins and needles. It's aching in my lower back, hips, thighs and calves and when it hits my ankles it's pins and needles in the soles of my feetSad I just don't know what to do with myself

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Tractorandtree · 24/11/2013 04:28

It sounds more like sciatica than spd now tbh. If the baby shifted position and is now resting on your nerve then that will be the cause. I had it occasionally in pregnancy and again recently when I slept awkwardly. It's really painful.

The nhs recommend some exercises here I found the last one on the page the most effective. Not sure if they'll work in pg, tbh I would call your midwife in the morning if you're not feeling any better.

Chilli81 · 24/11/2013 04:29

i would definitely recommend an who could release some of the tension in your hip bum back area. that's there it was worse for me. even if it eases it temporarily worth it imo. if you are in London you can try the BSO who do discounts and have a specialised women's health clinic.
I got spd quite early on in this pregnancy and was feeling really down thinking I couldn't cope for the remainder of the pregnancy but I have to say that it has got better as the baby has moved (am 38 weeks now) it has got better, then worse then better etc but art least hasn't been as consistently bad as I thought it was going to be. good luck.

Chilli81 · 24/11/2013 04:30

That should read recommend an OsteopathShock

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