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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

How much pain is too much pain?

15 replies

Redling · 21/05/2014 19:17

Hi, I need some comparison advice here! I'm wondering whether I'm suffering unduly because I'm putting things down to 'normal' pregnancy pain/symptoms when they are actually something that needs looking at. Basically I've got a lot of lower back pain. It's been for weeks now and it's intensifying. I find often by the end of a work day I'm hobbling along really slowly as my back and hips are very stuff and my lower spine feels squashed and sharply painful. I tell people but get a lot of 'oh yeah, my back hurt when I was pregnant' so I don't know if this is just normal or whether I should be looking to go to physio or trying to reduce what I do at work to compensate. I'm doing aquayoga and a special exercise plan on my ball but I still find it difficult and painful to turn over in bed even. Is this excessive pain for 28 weeks or am I 'just pregnant'?!

OP posts:
canweseethebunnies · 21/05/2014 19:28

I had exactly what you described in my first pregnancy, and I just soldiered on through, presuming it was par for the course, despite the fact that towards the end I was literally crawling round my flat on my hands and knees!

This time, I'm already getting twinges (I'm 18 or so weeks) and I've discovered there is an antenatal physiotherapists that I can go and see. I've booked my appointment. I suggest you find out if the same is available in your area. Good luck!

icklekid · 21/05/2014 19:30

I had awful lower back pain early into pregnancy antenatal physio has really helped as has pregnancy pilates. I would go to gp for referral can't do any harm!

whereisshe · 21/05/2014 19:32

At 28 weeks I was a bit stiff if I sat in one spot for a while, but definitely no hobbling and very little pain. Even at 41 weeks I was still getting about ok without too much pain and that was with a 4 stone weight gain. You should see someone about it.

Whenwillwe3meetagain · 21/05/2014 19:37

I'm 14 weeks and on crutches due to sciatica-lots of leg pain and hobbling. I have sympathy for you it's miserable! I'm going for an antenatal physio assessment on Friday after being referred by my doctor. I hope you can do the same. All the best.

bronya · 21/05/2014 19:53

I had PGP in my first pregnancy which manifested as lower back (and sometimes hip) pain due to my sacro-iliac being out. I wore a support belt, and it fixed the problem. No other pain throughout, even when overdue! This time I had PGP start earlier, but STILL, with relevant exercises/support belt, am not in any pain on a daily basis.

Lozmatoz · 21/05/2014 20:03

It can by normal for some, me included, but that doesn't mean you should suffer. During my first pregnancy, my GP referred me to a pysio and they gave me a special belt; it really helped with walking. I also find that Paracetamol helps a bit.

Original poster
Redling · 21/05/2014 21:47

Thanks, I worry that everyone has this and I'm just a wuss! But I was thinking it was getting too bad to be just endured! I'll speak to my midwife on Friday. It's so hard to know what's not right when so much is changing in my body.

OP posts:
Isabelle76 · 22/05/2014 09:49

If you're having trouble turning over in bed you should invest in a maternity slide sheet. Saved my sanity.

Observer78 · 23/05/2014 01:17

Don't know if or how normal it is, but it's frightening. Pretty much identical situation to yours, scared that it will never go back to being me again. There have been times when I scream (not wanting to, I hasten to add) in bed when trying to move (get up, change position, etc.).
Waiting until I can go to a physio (don't know any antenatal ones so waiting until the baby comes).

icklekid · 23/05/2014 02:47

observer go to your gp and ask for referral to antenatal physio- you don't need to know one! It made the world of difference to me- still able to work at 33 weeks, would not have been otherwise and in much less pain!

hm32 · 23/05/2014 09:26

Normal physios treat PGP. Pay and go - they will advise on correct exercises, support belt etc and are only about £40. I had one session, bought a belt and thereafter was fine. A friend waited for NHS treatment, was told there was nothing to do except be careful, given a tubey grip thing for her hips (that did very little) and sent away. She went to my physio, bought a belt and is now walking pain-free again.

Observer78 · 23/05/2014 16:53

Thanks icklekid. My GP and everyone else to whom I've mentioned it just nod in that "yeah, I know, but there's nothing I can suggest" style, adding that it's part of the parcel when pregnant. Meanwhile encouraging exercise (which then afterwards leave me feeling like I'm paralysed).
Pregnancy makes me feel vulnerable as it is, being spoken to like an idiot doesn't help. The truth of the matter is - they don't want to help. Trying my best not to open my mouth and let it all out. Sigh.

Original poster
Redling · 23/05/2014 20:24

I'm doing a lot to alleviate it and am finding that being in water, walking small amounts and sitting on my ball really help. My midwife was very helpful but said that really physiotherapy can't treat the underlying cause of the pain, which is that the pelvis really has to move and ligaments do have to stretch. I'm going to go to a private physio massage because it's just nice to have done! I had one 3 weeks ago and it loosened the tight hips feeling. She assures me it all stops when baby is born. But defo try swimming or just floating around in the pool, it really feels like it releases the tension in my hips and back and I feel great when I get out ( after the ooof pain of the bump weighing down after the water has supported it!)

OP posts:
bronya · 23/05/2014 21:04

Physio helps because it puts back anything that has become 'out' due to the ligaments stretching. The exercises taught give you the ability to do that at home afterwards. My right hip drops if I haven't got the belt on and I do any lifting (or too much walking even with the belt) and I know now how to put it back into place. The pain mostly comes from things being out of place, and secondary to that, if they've been out of place long enough that they have been unnaturally stretched. If you wear a belt, it stops the hips moving too far so it's like having normal ligaments again. I have the Serola belt and it is amazing. I bought a book too with the exercises in, and have since passed it onto a friend: Relieving Pelvic Pain During and After Pregnancy: How Women Can Heal Chronic Pelvic Instability. I bought it from Amazon and it was fantastic.

AuntieMaggie · 24/05/2014 11:21

You should go back to your GP/Midwife and insist on a physio referral - I have been seen twice by the NHS physio this pregnancy. nhs website also says to get referred to physio.

That page also gives advice on what not to do to aggravate it such as:

  • not doing anything that causes the pelvis to twist such as pushing shopping trolleys
  • not bending to clean the bath/vacuum the stairs
  • not standing or walking for a long time
  • not standing on one leg (so sit down to put trousers/pants on)
  • not separating legs (getting in and out of car or swimming breaststroke - keep legs together turning over in bed)

Paracetomal and hot water bottle helps relieve the pain but a lot of it is to do with prevention rather than treatment.

It may get worse rather than better as the pregnancy progresses so definitely worth getting seen by a physio so they can give you specific advice including how to avoid hurting your back more in labour and getting it written in your maternity notes.

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