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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Pelvic Girdle Pain support thread - hobblers unite!

79 replies

chocoraisin · 24/04/2017 16:21

Anyone else with hip, back or pelvic pain want to come and have a sympathetic Brew 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 Biscuit 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).

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Original poster
chocoraisin · 25/04/2017 18:43

It does go away but tbh I wish I'd taken it more seriously with postnatal recovery the first time. I have hypermobility which makes me particularly prone to it. My physio has told me he can slow it down but not fix it, because the problems precede the pregnancy.

I have been offered serious repair physio afterwards this time and I think if I'd done the work when I first knew it was a problem, I'd be thanking myself now. I did physio for 9months post birth after my first but because I was learning how to look after a baby I basically paid it lip service when no-one was chivvying. I thought I was too busy.

I will now have 3 kids to look after and will be putting considerably more effort in to the recovery period. unless you're planning to stop at one - do the recovery work! Your future self will thank you

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CoxsOrangePippin · 25/04/2017 19:23

That's really interesting choco. I hadn't realised it was something you might need physio for after the relaxin had gone. I was thinking about physio for the diastasis but not the PGP!

Original poster
chocoraisin · 25/04/2017 19:43

I've had it from about 10 weeks each time, and the sway in my spine doesn't fully correct (postural adaptation to the bump aka walking like a duck) so although the pain goes, I'm still not aligned right IYSWIM? So physio is necessary to put me right even though I'm not suffering from the same degree of pain postnatally.

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Autumnsweater · 25/04/2017 20:15

That's really useful to hear thanks choco, must admit I've gotten lazy with my exercises outside of Pilates these last few weeks. I have hypermobility too and am really wondering if something else going on longterm in my ball and socket joint, have always found they click out of place in certain positions and have had referred knee pain with it in the past as well.

Calphurnia · 25/04/2017 20:25

Hobbling waddler reporting!
Is heat ok to use near the bump? My pain is right on my pubic bone at the front

It's making me feel a bit tearful & pathetic how sore it is. Never had it in pg1 but I think I've overdone things with this one; housework, lifting toddler, moving furniture. All stopped now of course!

Physio this week for a belt hopefully

Laura2507 · 25/04/2017 20:43

Those tempted with one of the big pregnancy pillows, I found people selling them on local Facebook groups and have managed to get one for a tenner, going to collect it tomorrow. Says not been used much. They are about £40 on Amazon so hoping this one is as good. A bit odd going for second hand pillow but it comes with a cover and can't complain for £10. Looking forward to trying it out!

Autumnsweater · 26/04/2017 08:01

Laura you will love it Grin

Laura2507 · 26/04/2017 19:08

Just picked up, think I need an earlier night than usual tonight! 😂

I have a question. Does anyone get middle/upper back pain as well? I've read it's linked. I'm finding sitting is becoming more uncomfortable and my once cosy sofa is not cutting it anymore. Not sure how I should be sitting. Probably not helped by sitting at a desk all day.

Original poster
chocoraisin · 26/04/2017 19:45

I am struggling to sit at a dining table/desk/sofa today. Am considering just going to bed and calling it quits. I mopped the kitchen floor as it was getting sticky and that's done me in. This part of creating life is most definitely not magical. Meh.

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SairdyJane25 · 26/04/2017 21:27

Another one hobbling in. 20wks with #2. Had PGP with ds1 from about 20 wks, but midwife was terrible at referring me, (can't self refer) so first group physio appt was at 26wks, then had an individual one at 34 wks and never went again. Pregnancy yoga was much better at helping with the pain, I had a support belt that was so bloody uncomfortable I barely wore it. Plastic bag on the drivers seat was the best advice I was given!! This time round I got twinges from 10wks and it kicked in properly at 14wks. The pain in my right hip feels like the bones are grating together, and I have constant sciatic numb bum cheek pain! I sleep with a pillow between my knees and ankles but seem to have pain in my calves during the day? Have group physio booked next Tuesday. This definitely last baby!!

Original poster
chocoraisin · 27/04/2017 17:59

I had my first weeping phonecall today. Called my folks for a catch up and burst into tears because I can't carry the laundry basket up the stairs, or take the bin out, or move my 6year olds bike out of the front room. Christ this is going to be a long 30 weeks.

How can I only be 12 weeks?? If I were not up-duffed this would call for a LOT of Wine. As it is, I will be mostly inhaling chocolate like there is no tomorrow and going to bed at 7pm. While working out if I can sell a kidney for a cleaner to help me.

Anyone else feel totally and utterly bummed out today? Sorry for the massive whinge, but selfishly, I kind of need a whinge thread - I really don't want to complain endlessly in RL but I do need to offload the crappy feelings with people who understand.

:(

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Original poster
chocoraisin · 27/04/2017 18:00

PS Hi Sairdy - I hope you get much more useful physio today. Check out the link in my OP for the Pelvic Partnership deets they have brill advice and a list of recommended therapists by region too if that's something you might need/consider.

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Autumnsweater · 27/04/2017 18:35

Ah choco I totally get it. I have cried 3 times in the last week with the frustration at not being able to do anything. I KNOW I would feel the way you do if I were pregnant again and had symptoms so early on as I would know what I was in for then Sad. It doesn't mean you'll have it the same this time though as.you have knowledge now! And hopefully won't push yourself too hard.

Have so much empathy for disabled people/people with chronic pain/the elderly now (not that I didn't before but I get it now!).

Original poster
chocoraisin · 27/04/2017 18:54

I know what you mean Autumn, the experience of chronic pain and how much it disables me emotionally let alone physically is dire. I had no idea how much mental strength was required to just 'be normal' when everything hurts until I got pregnant. It's nearly 5 years since I had DS2 and I think I'd forgotten. I feel a bit panicky about going through it for another 6+ months again :(

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CoxsOrangePippin · 27/04/2017 21:57

autumn, choco I agree - I've been telling myself through gritted teeth that becoming more empathetic is the only possible upside.
SPD getting quite a bit worse now that baby is starting to engage. Grr.

gigi556 · 28/04/2017 17:33

I'm 36 weeks and have had a bit of pain and twinges for many weeks but nothing too terrible until this Monday when it suddenly got so bad I couldn't walk... Feeling better for taking sick days this week and officially finished work this afternoon.

I've been going to a regular yoga class on Saturdays and wondering if I should give it a miss tomorrow or if it will benefit me...

Sorry for everyone on this thread in pain! So not nice :(

Autumnsweater · 28/04/2017 22:05

I think it depends on the exercises you do Gigi and where you are sore.. I was doing a regular yoga class up to 20 weeks when I started to hurt, I found any of the exercises where I lay on back aggravating, and any of the trikonasanas where you stand with your legs apart would aggravate. Which coupled with not being able to do inversions left very little that I could do! But it probably depends on your class and your pain.

MrsJW15 · 29/04/2017 08:19

@Laura2507 yes, I get terrible rib and upper back pain. Makes sitting at a desk really difficult and sometimes disturbs my sleep. My physio has mostly focussed on my hips/pelvis though, so not sure if this is considered part of PGP or not.

Mummytobe11 · 29/04/2017 08:21

I'm no longer pregnant but suffered with pgp from 8 weeks. I did aquanatal and it helped so much, thought I would let you guys know.

Orangeseed · 29/04/2017 12:42

I've just received a belly bandit belly boost and upsie belly to see if they help, I've also bought a new (massive) support pillow, the pain is definitely getting worse and stopping me sleeping too. I'm hoping these supports help, they were expensive!
My midwife is also referring me for physio, but said the waiting list is about 4 weeks.

How safe is it to use heat/cold packs?

What painkillers are people using? I'm only using paracetamol but wondering if cocodamol might help? I'd only use it at night to help me sleep as it makes me dizzy.

MrsJW15 · 29/04/2017 13:49

@Orangeseed I don't know about hot or cold packs but my midwife said hot water bottles were fine

Laura2507 · 29/04/2017 16:09

@Orangeseed will be keen to hear how you get on with the massiv pregnancy pillow. I've struggled with mine, I just can't seem to get a good position, mostly my arms and shoulders are in the way. Nighttimes are getting worse at the moment.

Laura2507 · 29/04/2017 16:12

@MrsJW15 maybe it's unrelated to PGP. I seem to be ok once I lay down. I'm wondering how much is my bra being too tight. I did get measured a month or so ago but maybe my back size has grown up again already! I will mention to my physio but still have a 3 week wait, he to wait about 6 weeks for my 1st appt 😫

Autumnsweater · 30/04/2017 05:29

I've been up since 3 with hip pain (over the ball and socket joint on both sides), just cannot get comfortable despite numerous pillows, paracetamol and codeine. It has to get better after childbirth I could not cope with this long term. I was hoping the codeine would at least knock me out!

@Orangeseed my GP prescribed me 15mg codeine, but I am 37 weeks so not sure if it depends which stage of pregnancy you are at.

Re people's upper rib pain, I sometimes get pain further up which I'm pretty convinced is referred pain from angling myself strangely with bump/lower pelvic pain

Original poster
chocoraisin · 30/04/2017 15:33

I was taking 30mg codeine 4x a day in late pregnancy with my first (obviously under care of consultant - don't go self-medicating at that level!) and it didn't entirely stop my pain. DS1 had to stay in special care withdrawing from the meds :( I'm trying to keep the dosages much lower this time. I managed on 8mg x 4 a day with DS2.

It's better to take painkillers at low doses by the clock as they work cumulatively. If you wait until you're in serious pain to get some on board, they will have less impact. You can actually reduce doses over time if you take them meticulously regularly. Just be aware that codeine constipates and if you're taking it, your midwife and consultants must know.

I have had referred pain in my upper back too. It sucks!! Having a very creaky day today, can hardly believe I still haven't even had my dating scan. FFS!! First scan on tues. I'm holding out for them finding a 16 week fetus in there not being 12+3 as i think I am!

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