Achy back and hips - advice please!

[jellybelly85]

Hi ladies,

I'm 22 weeks and for the past week have become noticeably more achy. My lower back starts to ache when I'm doing the washing up, and lower back plus hips have become increasingly achy on recent dog walks.

Any advice on what I should, or should not be doing to help myself?

You may be experiencing what is known as pelvic girdle pain, which more often than not resolves post-birth. About 20% of all pregnant women are affected by this to differing degrees.

You might find this useful: www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/patient-information-leaflets/Maternity/Maternity---pregnancy-related-pelvic-girdle-pain-or-pgp.htm

Your own midwife might be able to refer you to a physio but referral can take some weeks, in which time baby may already been here and hopefully it'll have resolved for you.

Thanks lynholmerpark that leaflet is really informative!

Hot water bottle on my back and rest seemed to help. Had a random bout of vomiting bile this morning, so suspect this may all be related to a spurt of excessive hormones.

I have found yoga and swimming really helpful. This type of pain peaked at 22 weeks for me and then with the pregnancy yoga it almost dispears the next day.

Thanks hierhelp I actually have a yoga taster session at work coming up soon, which is excellent timing.

I can second Jelly's point about yoga. I had my first prenatal yoga class last week and absolutely loved it. I can't wait to go back. I'm 25 wks. I was suffering with back and shoulder pain and it really seemed to help. Is your taster class for regular yoga or specifically PG yoga OP? I'd hunt out a preggo class if I where you! And maybe check with Dr/midwife before signing up. X

Thanks whiskers - unfortunately there aren't any classes I can easily get to due to long commute to and from work plus looking after our dog during the week which DP is up north working. I've done yoga before so thought some youtube videos might help.

Anyone got any thoughts as to whether a pregnancy pillow would help?

My pregnancy pillow has been a godsend! I've had all kinds of pain in my lower back, hips and legs, and my lovely pillow has been the only reason I've been able to get any sleep :)
Also, sitting on a gym ball may help, some days I find it amazing, really takes off the pressure and I feel like it "resets" my hips iyswim? Although some days I am really too broken for the ball and bed (with pillow) is the only answer!
Hope you're much better soon