Pelvic Girdle Pain support thread - hobblers unite!

[chocoraisin]

Anyone else with hip, back or pelvic pain want to come and have a sympathetic with me?

11+3 and looking like crutches will be mine before 20 weeks (again). Horrendous SPD/PGP with all three pregnancies. I am stoic this time and paying for private physio, but I know it won't hold it off completely.

For any newly diagnosed, hang in there - it's horrible, but it's rarely permanent and you will get better in the end!! Believe me after a wheelchair with no.1 I wouldn't be here up-duffed with no.3 if I didn't think it got better in the end.

And anyone who needs proper advice in place of emotional support and the odd with your whinge/gossip/rant, please go check out www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk who are AMAZING and have a helpline and everything (who I have sobbed to on occasion before).

I've just been diagnosed with this at 27 weeks (thankful it didn't start until late!) and booked in for physio next week.
Didn't have it with my first pregnancy so a bit of a surprise. I'm getting really annoyed with feeling like I've been kicked in the groin! And rolling over on the night is horrific!
Respect for doing this three times!

Get a sleep pillow like one of these for night time. I prefer the 9ft all around you U shaped one for maximum support but it depends how massive your bed is or accommodating your DP is!

You will not believe the difference it makes! I hope it eases off with physio. [http://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/house-garden/10-best-pregnancy-pillows-reviews-argos-john-lewis-a7095866.html pillow]]

Arrrgghhh I'll join. I've had it since about 16 weeks and was really surprised when I was diagnosed with it.

My physio has been amazing tho and really helped reduce the pain, some weeks she even taped up my back and belly which really helped too. I'be been prescribed a support belt which does help but the pin is slowly creeping up again I'm 35weeks, and utterly exhausted.

I use hot water bottles, have warm baths, try to not stand or sit for too long, when I sit physio said to have something under my knees to elevate my legs slightly to reduce the pain. And woke have got me a balance ball chair as I cannot sit in a regular one without being in excruciating pain.

Pillow

Sorry link fail before!

Ok lets start a list of stuff that actually helps... together we can probably come up with a tonne of advice

Satin pajamas help you move when in bed
Sleep pillow
Perching stool
Exercise ball
Physio exercises
Serola belt (get one fitted properly)
Plastic bag on the car seat to help you slide and swing legs in together
Knees always together people!!!
Sex from behind (if you can be bothered)
Heat on painful area
Acupuncture
Paracetamol/co-codamol (only on prescription if advised)

Any thing else feel free to add to the list! I probably am forgetting a bunch of stuff from last time.

Welcome Fuzzywuzzy and vfoster :)

I'm waiting to see a physio for what I suspect is spd. Midwife just told me to self refer to the antenatal physio class but it looks like that's the only route into the physio system and there isn't another class for two weeks! Struggling to walk without pain at the moment and only 29 weeks ...can anyone recommend a belt I can invest in till I actually manage to see a physio?

The serola belt as OP listed, it is amazing, when I forget to wear it I really feel it.

I also try not to over do things, sitting in bed, back straight legs in front is the only way I'm not in pain.

Also we can take paracetamol, but I've had so many miscarriages before this pregnancy I'm scared to just in case :(

Also I've taken up pregnancy Pilates classes to help strengthen my core and the teacher is really good at showing me exercises to do to ease the pressure and pain.

🙋🏼 I'd like to join!

I'm 24w. My 1st physio is not until 19th May, have had to wait well over a month! I have had trouble with pain when rolling over in bed for 2-3 months now. Had a bad week in particular about a month ago where any standing would cause sharp pains in my right lower back/hip.

This is my first pregnancy but I have had a problem with pelvic tilt in the last following a 4 day cycle ride so really I should have seen this coming.

Starting pregnancy yoga this week and instructor said it might help and can adapt some of the positions for help with pelvic pain.

Pilates is good.
Craniosacral therapy is the best pain reduction I've found

9wks pg here with baby no. 4 ( second baby was stillborn at full term)

Had horrendous pgp in second pregnancy and even worse in third - only 15 weeks between losing baby and being pg again. So that didnt help. Was on crutches from.30wks.

Physio did little to help me. Hot water bottles and baths helped a little.

I can already feel twinges. Dreading it. Sorry others are suffering.

Chocoraisin is there's specific brand of U shape pillow you recommend?

One of the advantages of me not having a partner is I don't have to share my double bed! I'm uncomfortable enough as it is without adding an extra person to negotiate with 😂

I've got a pregnancy pillow but only the long straight one. Think my husband might divorce me if I get an even bigger one 😂
How do the physio sessions work? I'd like to try some crutches as some of the worst pain is when I put weight on my right leg. I get a horrible sharp pain right in my groin. I'm a teacher so pretty much always moving! Can I ask for crutches or will they try loads of other stuff first? I'm looking forward to them giving me some exercises to reduce the constant ache!

How do other people cope with work? I'm 22 weeks and in constant pain, laying on my side with support pillows help, but my job requires me to be on my feet most of the day and I'm struggling. Paracetamol doesn't touch the pain.

Vfoster when I had physio for my cycle injury, they did some checks to diagnose then gave me a set of exercises to help strengthen my core muscles (which for that injury was ultimately the problem as my thigh muscles were stronger than my core hence pulling my pelvis forward into a tilt position). TBH I was a bit lazy once it got better as haven't kept it up so still have a weak core.

I expect something similar but exercises more specific for pregnancy. I'm not sure at what stage crutches may be given but definitely ask, they can only say no. Worse case it will at least help them to identify where you need support.

Orangeseed fortunately I have a desk job so don't have to move around too much, although this also makes me stiff when I do get up. I am starting to get uncomfortable though and midwife mentioned a workplace assessment so I can check my desk setup is suitable. I don't want to make a fuss though so not mentioned this to work yet.

Have you had a risk assessment done yet? Even if you have I've heard it's worth doing again later in pregnancy as things change. Can your employer make reasonable adjustments to allow you to sit more/ take more breaks? It's in their interest to do this as last thing they need is you going on long term sick if you can't physically manage to be at work x

Hi everyone!

I'm 36 weeks pregnant but had PGP symptoms since about 20 weeks, mainly sacroiliac pain but also over the ball and socket joint on both legs. Not had any of the pubis pain some people describe.

Ooh posted too soon!

Been to NHS physio, got self-referral and they fitted me in really quickly. Support belt helps loads, pregnancy Pilates classes too (prob depends on instructor but mine is really careful with PGP and comes round to check my positioning etc).

However last few weeks has gotten much worse despite being off on maternity leave now, have been managing without pain relief up until the last few weeks but started paracetamol in the last week and have just gotten a prescription for codeine from the doctor although I've not actually used it yet.

Other things that have helped:
*Taking small strides when walking
*Slowing down on stairs - bring one foot up at a time
*Doing less!
*Exercise ball rather than sofa
*Putting a small cushion under hip when lying on side in bed
*AND maternity pillow between knees/around back
*Lumbar support when driving

orangeseed I'm on maternity leave now, my job is on feet all day, long hours, also bending over/lifting.

Get a risk assessment/a second risk assessment done - they are supposed to do them again if things change during pregnancy.

I got a GP's fitness to work note - didn't actually see the GP just telephone consult, to make things official.

There were a few of us pregnant at the same time and initially whilst bosses were professional I felt colleagues didn't understand why I couldn't do as much as the others - be BLUNT about it and don't be too stoic. I told them all my pelvis was splitting and that I could feel it crunching and showed them my support belt and then they were generally more understanding!! Before this I think they just thought I was whinging.

You may need to finish earlier than you planned though - I initially wanted to try to work up to 37 weeks, finished at 34 (due to high BP not due to pelvis) but felt loads better for it.

Finally make sure partner is on board! They need to be supportive anyway, but even more so with PGP and if you have an active job. DH has been great he knows I was probably doing more than I should in work so he's basically took over doing nearly everything at home.

I've not had a risk assessment done yet as I have been unwell with hyperemesis and missed it, my job is not really flexible, your either on your feet, moving a lot, stairs etc, or you aren't doing the job, if that makes sense?
I've looked for pregnancy yoga or pilates in my area and can't find any in the local area, the closest are about 30-40 mins drive away and the times don't fit with work / my other DC.
At home I'm the main carer for dc's (4 and 6) and responsible for all housework etc, which to be honest I have had to let standards slip because with the sickness and now pain I just can't keep up.
A support belt helps a little but not massively.
I feel very frustrated with myself but also the "you're pregnant not ill" attitude from people.

you are pregnant AND ill when you have chronic pain (any pain intermittent or continuous over 2-3 months+ is chronic). Tell anyone who makes a snide comment like that to get stuffed.

I was signed off at 16 weeks last time and moved in with my parents for a year. Helped, but not exactly a universal solution!! Not practical this time, so I'm looking at cutting all non-essential costs so I can get a cleaner instead (do NOT hoover. Push and pull movements will aggravate your pain like crazy). Also changing bed linen is one of the worst jobs I've found for pain.

A belt helps but get it fitted properly because the aim is to increase stability not crush inflamed joints together willy nilly. Crutches I think are a great thing to ask for as they signal to others that you are not ok, as much as they help. Emotional support is also massively important as the pain takes a real toll. I get tearful, snappy and feel hopeless if I get no respite.

Speak to your GP about prescription pain relief too, there are opiate based patches you can be given in pregnancy. It's not ideal and cranial osteopathy/acupuncture etc might be favourable if you're not wanting to take pain killers but in my honest opinion if you take painkillers regularly (as in by the clock every six hours) at a low dose, you ward off the extremes that come from just gritting your teeth and getting on with it.

Lovely to see so many people sharing advice but sort of unlovely too that we're all in the same boat :(

NannyPlum I'm sorry for your loss

Laura I got a cheap one off eBay that was just super massive. The ones that are the length of your whole body on both sides are my favourite.

@Orangeseed I know what you mean about your job, I'm a vet and it was difficult to alter working conditions for me too. But I think some things can be done in most jobs if you think about it and your colleagues are willing to help, and you have really good rights when pregnant, don't be scared to use them. I printed this off and took it with me to discuss with boss:

www.maternityaction.org.uk/advice-2/mums-dads-scenarios/pregnant/health-and-safety-during-pregnancy-and-on-return-to-work/

Particularly helpful is the three steps your employer has to take - they won't want to suspend you on full pay so will hopefully be more helpful on steps one and two!

Step 1: temporarily alter your working conditions or hours of work, if this is reasonable and avoids the risk, such as allowing extra breaks, ensuring that you can sit down and avoiding heavy lifting.
Step 2: If that is not possible, your employer must offer you suitable alternative work on terms and conditions that are not substantially less favourable than your original job.
Step 3: If there is no suitable alternative work, your employer must suspend you on full pay for as long as necessary to avoid the risk.

@nannyplum82 I'm so sorry for your loss.

It must be difficult when PGP starts so early on, especially when you have other children to look after. This is my first, can't imagine all this AND children! Bad enough not being able to walk the dogs properly!

Hello everyone. Not sure if I've got PGP/SPD but I've certainly got pain! My hips and back mainly, but yesterday started on the pelvic pain, feeling like I'd been kicked between the legs! 22+3 now.

Haven't spoken to midwife about it, but I will at next appointment. I sit at a desk so not too bad at work, sleeping is the hardest! My heat pad is currently my best friend. Next step will be thinking about a support belt I think.

Does this go away afterwards??

Hi Okydoke, certainly sounds like PGP! I started around that time, it didn't get worse though (until this week, but then I'm having a good day again today). My first baby but I have been reliably informed by several people it goes quite rapidly once baby is here - phew!
Support belt made a massive difference to me, and since it's still early on go to physio asap - most areas you can self-refer so you don't need to wait to see the midwife.
Pregnancy yoga/pilates as well - I love my Pilates class.