Impact of rugby injury on pregnancy and visa versa

[youlemming]

Hi, I'm currently 19 wks and before finding out I was pregnant I was seeing a physio due to an injury to my ac joint (shoulder) from playing rugby.
We had got to the point at being about to go down the mri route to find out what was really going on when I found out, so that was no longer possible and as I wouldn't be playing for a while the physio decided that as it was going to be given time there was a good chance it would sort itself out.
But even though I haven't played for 13 wks (I didn't know I was pregnant and 6 wks when I played last!) it doesn't seem to have improved that much and if anything the acheyness is worse.
Wondering if the hormones/relaxin is affecting it and if it will just get worse.
I'm also worried that it's going to affect holding the baby in that arm for long periods of time, like breastfeeding.
Another thing is as it's my left shoulder it's very uncomfortable to lay on for long periods so that rules out the whole it's best to sleep on the left!

I see my docotor for a 20 wk check next week so will mention it but I'm just not confident with a new referal to the physio as I don't alway find them that helpful, especially if they are limited or challenged on what they can do due to the baby.

Sorry for the rambling I'm just not sure where to go with this!

Firstly, don't worry about having to sleep on your left. It's sleeping on your back that's a bigger concern. If you're determined to aim for the left, try shoving a pillow under a fitted sheet on your right side so it props you up without putting your full weight on the left.

As for the physio, I'd give them another go but ask to go to a women's health one. They will have had musculoskeletal experience but will be better versed in what you can/ can't do due to the pregnancy. The increased aching could be your relaxin but it could also be not doing any of the exercises you've previously been doing with the physio and the muscles are getting tight or stretched.
Good luck. Even if your shoulder isn't right when your baby is born, there's ways around making it worse like breast feeding pillows.

I'd second the women's health physio recommendation. Mine is fabulous. She'll give you tips on how to deal with sleep/breastfeeding etc. you should be able to self refer.
It may be pregnancy is exacerbating it but it could just be that the injury is taking its time to heal. AC joint injuries are a bugger and the pain can linger for many many months. DH did his in September and is still in a bad way. Your actually giving it the best chance of healing by having this enforced time off so try and give it time. Good luck.

You could try a cranial osteopath . Very gentle but effective treatments. Poor you .

Thanks will look into the women's health physio, it will be good to get to know one now as I'm expecting the SPD to kick in again like it did with my first.
It's something I did back in Sept 2013, it was mild at the time but I continued playing on it for the next yr and at the start it would settle between games but since Sept 14 it was getting worse, things people do for sport!
Hopefully by the time I'm ready to go back it will have had the rest it needs.

youLemming you sound like my DH! I wish there was a reason I could Make him take 9 months out from rugby to give his body a rest

Just seen your post on the SPD thread. Definitely push for WH specialist in that case- I found mentioning something technical and pregnancy related scared the normal physio into referring me straight away!

HAHA TouchPauseEngage my OH is the same, he really shouldn't be playing due to a disassociated pelvis due to the hard ground which is pretty much like the worst form of SPD but if it's the choice between the club getting a 3rd team out or not he will end up playing!
The physio he saw was quite shocked and had to look it up online as she had never seen it in a man, then she found it's quite common in Australian rules football.
There's not much that will stop a rugby player

I will speak to the doctor when I see her next week and get a referal to a WH specialist for sure

Don't worry about sleeping on your back - just make sure your head and chest are raised slightly. But it will not effect the baby - only your ability to breath when you are a lot more pregnant!

Apparently it's sleeping on your right side that 'can' have an effect on the placenta or umbilical cord - like there's not enough to worry about when pregnant!

I could only sleep on my back with DS and we're both fine!