Possible PGP/SPD?

[vfoster]

Hi all, I've been struggling with a horrific pain in my groin Area and down one side of my pelvis all week. I'm struggling to walk on it and kind of thought (hoped) it would just go away on its own.
It hasn't been so bad as I've been off work all week but I'm back in tomorrow and the pain is just as bad. It hurts to walk and even when I'm sitting it feels bruised....as though I've been booted in the groin 😳.
I guess it's possibly PGP/SPD kind of thing looking at the NHS website.
Just wondering what people did if they have it...call the midwife (assuming they aren't around on a bank holiday?) try and see if I can get a GP appointment in about 2 weeks (as that's how long it takes to get one not during work hours), wait until my next midwife appointment in 2 weeks or call 111? Or is there a way to deal with it on my own? I'm tired as the pain is waking me up and not sure what to do for the best!

Did you get the Physio number with your maternity notes? Most places you can self refer to Physio and they're the ones who treat it. Look up the basics online, basically don't stand on one leg, sit down to get dressed put on shoes etc swing legs into car. Paracetamol is okay in pregnancy. Can you not go to the GP during work hours? (If you're u need them to do referral)

Hi OP. The physio referral is a waste of time. I waited ages for mine and when it was done, it turned out to be just a PGP group class, where they went through what PGP/SPD is and how best yo deal with it. There are no exercises you can do to improve it, just wear a pelvic support, take painkillers, avoid certain activities (stairs, housework, walking too far) and advise on the best ways to move to keep your pelvis in the most stable position. I am 30 + 5 now and have to take regular cocodamol as prescribed by doctor, it doesn't really take the edge off it and if i do too much then omg, i pay for it that night/next day. Trying to get a decent sleep is almost impossible. The physio said that it will only improve, once baby is born, but tends to get better quite quickly then.

Maybe don't rule physio out entirely. They might be able to give you access to hydrotherapy if it is available where you are. They can also give you a support belt if you need one plus the exercises that are appropriate to you.

You can also look up the pelvic partnership for info/advice and private practitioners.

Best of luck and I hope you feel better.

How many weeks pregnant are you OP? I've had SPD symptoms in this pregnancy since 18 weeks and saw the GP at this point who made the Physio referral which took 4 weeks but was worth progressing as I was quite early on.

The pelvic partnership website has loads of useful info

Thanks everyone! I'm a teacher so it's a massive pain to get appointments during work time as it involves getting someone to cover my lessons. I try to avoid it as much as possible!
I'm 27 weeks now so if it does turn out to be PGP/SPD I'm guessing it's a pretty late onset? I've had the usual backache and sore hips before but the last week has been unbearable!
I've just managed to log on to my doctor's website and make an appointment online....I didn't even know they did that! At least I can see someone by Wednesday; just hoping I can manage until then!

Thanks again, I'm willing to try anything at this point just to get some relief!

My tips:

1- Prioritise seeing the GP or midwife ASAP. If it means having to take time off work, so be it. Your condition will only get worse (especially if you don't manage it properly) and it might prevent you from working, so getting medical help will actually enable you to work in the long and even medium term. Ask the GP or midwife about the help available and quickest way to get it - a referral from them or self-referral.

2 - Meanwhile, look up the website of your local maternity hospital and see if they have information about physiotherapy and/or PGP. Mine runs a PGP clinic which you can book directly by calling a number provided on the website page. The first session is a group information session but there is useful advice and you can still have a one-to-one appointment afterwards.

3 - If you can afford it, pay privately to see an osteopath or chiropractor with experience in treating pregnant women. When I had PGP, the osteopath I saw was a lifesaver - worth every penny. He was highly recommended by a few people, so do get a recommendation if you can.

4 - Do pregnancy yoga, it definitely relieved my symptoms, and the teacher gave us good tips and positions to try.

Ah cross post - glad you've got an appointment for Wednesday!

Meanwhile baths might give you some relief. I loved going to the pool and just wallowing about!

Would recommend getting a long maternity pillow - sleep with it between your legs/knees. I found that helped relieve the ache. Also if you have tone sit in a car for any lenght of time sit on a carrier bag as it will help you swivel out of he car without having to open your legs wide to step out. That was the worst for me.

I had pgp and sciatica in both pregnancies and still have the sciatica now as a delightful after present. My muscles have become very weakened and so I am having ongoing physio to strengthen them.

I had physio during both pregnancies and was on crutches both times. Physio during first pregnancy was a group session followed by one to one physio. Nothing really helped though. During my second pregnancy is didn't have to go to a group session and had lots of one to one sessions. They did help sometimes but it stopped working from about 30 weeks but then I'd had it since 8 weeks. I also had hydrotherapy which was great.

It's all worth doing. If you don't then you may regret it if it gets much worse. I had to stop work at around 30 weeks this time and that was with weekly physio, hydro and crutches! I was literally dragging my leg behind me. I wasn't sleeping from the pain and was pretty much delirious from the sleep deprivation!

Some simple tips. When you walk up stairs, clench your bottom cheeks. When you get dressed sit down. When you roll over in bed use your arms to turn yourself. Try to sit and stand and don't sit all the time. Accept help. Once you're sure you do have it, tell work. You will need their support. Check out the pelvic partnership website, there's lots of good advice and help, including a leaflet you can give your workplace to help them understand.

Rest up!

Thanks so much for all the advice everyone, I just called 111 to ask if I could take anything more than paracetamol to get me through to Wednesday and they sent me to the out of hours GP to make sure it wasn't anything sinister. He's said it is indeed SPD and have to wait until Wednesday to get my GP to refer me to physio. I was really hoping to work up until 38 and have booked a holiday in a caravan in 6 weeks....might have to re-think some of these plans! 😂 Oh dear!

Caravan holiday should be OK. Just take it easy. I worked up until 38 weeks in my first pregnancy although I did have to do a few days from home and did need help getting to and from work. Make sure that you listen to your body. It's important that you sit and stand properly. If on sofa then prop yourself up with cushions. Take regular breaks when walking long distances. Try not to walk long distances! Take all the help offered.