Pain between legs

[minkimoo]

I am 32 and 2 weeks pregnant and for a few weeks now (though getting worse) a pain between my legs. It feels like I have been kicked right between the legs and the outside of my vaginia feels very bruised and sore. It is worse in the evening when I finally relax although starting to affect me all day long. I find an ice block wrapped in a tea towel held between my legs does relieve some of the pain, but as soon as it is removed the pain returns.

I was told last week that my baby is already engaged which I am guessing does not help. Does anyone else experience this pain or know what it is, what I should do as I really am fed up on it and can?t bear another 8 weeks of it.

had this once with my 2nd preg and was told it was the pressure, i felt it more as though it was my pubic bone that ached and i found that keeping my legs together helped, hope someone can offer you more advice soon

Could be SPD - can you afford to see an osteopath? I didn't first time around but did this time, four sessions at £40 a pop, worth every penny.

It sounds like S.P.D , which is surprisingly common.
It's due to the pregnancy hormone 'relaxin' which softens the ligaments in your pelvis, and can sometimes lead to them becoming 'displaced'.
I would advise seeing your G.P as they may refer you to a specialist.
I had to wear a very attractive support belt, but it really did help.
There are issues about the positions you can give birth if you do have SPD so it's best to seek advise.
Try searching for it on google for more information, theres a really good site but I can't remeber what it's called.

I really feel for you as it's awful! Mine got so bad I could barely get out of bed sometimes.

Hi minkimoo,

The pain you describe sounds very much like what I have.
Like you, its been going on for a good few weeks and I'm now 37 weeks!

it's not too bad during the day, when I'm moving about, but at night, if I've been sitting for a while and try to get up my whole pelvic area feels stiff and I get a sort of sharp pain between my legs.

I've just been assuming this is fairly normal third trimester stuff, you know, just the babies head pressing on my pelvis.

Sorry I can't be more helpful, just thought I'd let you know, you're not alone.

Btw, not wanting to put the scarers on you, but do see someone about it as at its worst it is v v bad (like ending up on crutches) so best to get checked out.

Thanks for all your advice. I have booked to see the GP tonight to see what/if anything they recommend. Not holding out too much hope!!!!!

Hi, my deapest sympathy if it is SPD, I was diagnosed at 20weeks, my baby is now 8.5 months and still suffer from time to time, due to relaxin still being produced because of breastfeeding. However, do get a referral to a physio, they offered me hydro therapy (work in swimming pool) it really helped. I also slept with a pillow between my knees, it eases the discomfort. But yes, like LIO said you can end up in crutches if not managed properly.

GOOD LUCK, I sincerely hope it is only baby being engaged!

Definitely sounds like SPD Minkimoo - you have described it just like I did, as if you had been kicked between the legs by a horse!! My symptons eased a lot before I had DD, was at it worst btwn 26 and 30 weeks.

def sounds like spd, i am 33 weeks and have ended up on crutches get your mw to refer you to physio my physio is fab loads of good advice

Sorry to butt in but what's SPD? I'm 23wks pregnant and have had this pain that you describe for the last 3 weeks. Haven't mentioned anything to midwife/gp as thought maybe it was common/normal in 2nd pregnancies. Its usually ok first thing in the morning but gets progressively worse during the day so by the time I go to bed I can hardly move.

Hi ladymai, spd is symphysis pubis dysfunction, to do with ligaments around your pelvis stretching. best place for more info is pelvic partnership.org.

Doctors no help, just tell me to take paracetamol, they knock me out but do nothing to stop the discomfort. Midwifes no help tell me copletly normal and to "stop fussing". Have now demanded to see my consultant as i want to know if this is going to effect labour. I also have quite a serious back problem and been told not to have an epidural because of this. Considering now whether C-Section is best option as have read lots of threads from women who up to two years on are still in agony or their pelvis split during labour.

Doesnt sound like normal pregnancy to me, still sounds like SPD. Would take all the advice you can from the pelvic partnership & looking on the web. Act as if you have it as the advise wont do any harm.Would also ask for another opinion. I found physio did nothing to help but it really does depend on who you see & if they are knowledgable or have an interest in pregnancy.I've also read about pelvis spilliting in labour. My consultant says its not all true as the MW are much more informed about SPD nowadays. I am more likely to have a c-section though as my SPD is very severe and am in a wheelchair & crutches so mobility etc is poor for labour.
Good luck

I had a bout of this with DS3 (tend to blank it out from my memory- ouch). I could hear the bones clicking as I walked. MW referred me to a physio, you should be able to get the same referral to find out what is causing the pain- insist! (knew one girl who ended up not on crutches but in a wheelchair, and she ahd 4 other kids to care for poor love).

I sympathse if it is SPD. i was diagnosed this at 20 weeks with DD, it got gradually worse and in the end i ended up having to use crutchs to get about on. I had physio, and they gave me a beautiful looking big wide supposrt belt (supposed to hold the pelvic bone together and reduce movment) i felt this did help me a lot. Also went once a week for the last two months to an osteopath. Dont know if it really helped completely but then who knows how bad it may have got if i hadnt gone to him....!My SPD didnt have time to go, i still had it while breastfeeding up to when DD was 5 mths, then i became pregnant again...more relaxin hormone for me, more SPD i fear!!

Some other tips i picked up;

wear a silky nightie to bed, tell your partner not to get excited, its for helping to make it easier when you turn over!!

And def sleep with a pillow between yr knees.

If you have to drive, its really good to sit on a plastic bag, then you just 'swivvel' on it when you get in and out.

As much as possible keep your knees together, thus avoiding moving the pelvic bone too much.

Try sitting on one of those big exercise/pregnancy balls, as long as you keep your balence, they are a great support!

Definatley get a support belt, not the thin ones you see on ebay, they were rubbish for me, but the big wide ones, much comfier, or get your MF or Physio to cut you a length of tubigrip. Use this to pull under your bump but around the pelvis area.

One thing i did, when i went shopping at a local shopping centre i hired one of those shop mobility motorised chairs!!!! i was a bit at first but i took a friend and we ended up having a right laugh, and it meant i could stay out shopping a lot longer than i would have if i had had to use the crutches!!

Hope these tips help and that it doesnt get to bad for you, Minkimoo, and anyone else, its not nice and can really put a dampner on things.... But it does subside......eventually!

I would echo below advice & definatley use the scooters at the shops. Once you've got used to them they are good fun & mean you can do so much more without injuring yourself.
Just a quick note about the gym ball. Buy one that is around the £9.99 + mark. Some places sell them for about £3.99 but I have heard of one popping on a pregnant lady so better to spend the extra & be safe.

Take Care of your levis & rest up as much as possible.