NHS pelvic pain group- anyone been to one? Was it helpful?

[FireAndRain45]

I'm 27 weeks pregnant and have been suffering from pelvic pain/PGP for a month or two. No one has actually examined me but I'm having pain when walking, turning over in bed, getting up, in my hips/back/shooting pains up my bum/vag. I already have all the information about keeping knees together, sleeping with a pillow inbetween my knees, plastic bag on the car seat and all that.

I had a physio referral made by my midwife and assumed I'd see an actual physio one on one who would examine me, I've been told by others that you need physical manipulation of the joints/info on your specific problem area to help. My mum had it and still has issues with her sacroiliac joint 30 years on, she's needed extensive physio. Instead of this I've been sent an invite to a group support session that provides 'advice, information and discussion'.

Has anyone been to one of these before and is it worth it, or should I just pay to see a private physio? I'm at the hospital/doctors what seems like every 5 minutes at the mo and have missed a ton of work, so really can't be arsed if it's not going to be helpful!

I'm 33 weeks now and I've been seeing a chiropractor to help with my PGP.. and she's helped me massively. Finally have my appt for physio that midwife referred me for next week. But I'm in much less pain after the chiropractor has been treating me. I'd maybe see a private physio- you've got a long while left to be in such pain! X

I haven't been yet, but in my area (Dorset) I have to attend a group session and then I can have individual physio if needed. Maybe it's similar where you are?

Hi OP. I'm sorry to hear you're in pain. I had horrific PGP from about 20 weeks into my pregnancy. In my area (South Yorkshire), I was referred to a specialist physiotherapist who gave me specific exercises to do, and she also arranged hydrotherapy for me for the remainder of my pregnancy. She was brilliant.

I can't imagine sitting around talking about your pain would be either very productive (when you know the usual tips about keeping your knees together as much as possible) and frankly very comfortable, given your problems!

Best of luck in finding appropriate support and for a healthy pregnancy.

Sorry, forgot to mention- I was referred as an urgent case as I had pre-existing joint problems which aggravated my PGP. Because of this, my midwife got me my first physio appointment within 24 hours of referral. If I had been referred as a regular case, I would have been waiting for about six weeks.

I was eventually signed off work from 22 weeks as my PGP was so bad.

I'd suggest you go back to your midwife and request a proper physiotherapist appointment.

For me, you went to group and got some general advice and if the pain persists you go back and get one on one physio. I found the group useful and she did discuss our individual problems too. She said they do it as a group at first as even though everyone's problems are slightly different in general the same exercises help everyone.

I went to a general group where everyone else complained about their back pain. I had the classic pelvic feels like it’s splitting in half pain so it was pretty useless for me. I’d recommend an osteopath.

Pelvic pain groups are meant to be about learning how you can make adaptations to how you think about and cope with it, practically, emotionally and physically. They usually have input from physio, psychology and nurses/medic.

Good luck

I don't know if it's the same in all areas but where I am NE you can self refer to an NHS physio. You're given an appointment within 2 weeks too. May be worth looking into before you fork out for private treatment.

I had to go to a group thing before they'd even consider me for physio. It's my second pregnancy and I started with PGP at 18 weeks this time round.

I'm now 32+5 and on crutches, 30mg co-codamol and having weekly physio. It was basic stuff like 'try these exercises and keep your knees together at all times' but to be honest I was only half listening.

I went to one. They explain what was happening and why we were in pain. They showed you some ways of helping like sitting on a plastic carrier bag in your car so you can spin in the seat to help get out of your car. They also had crutches, pelvic belts for you to try before you buy. I tried a belt and it helped a lot so I bought one.

Thanks for all the replies, sounds like it’s worth going even if just to possibly get referred somewhere else. Have already bought a belt and it’s helping with walking, but can’t wear it sat down/in bed. I’ve found a specialist ‘women’s issues’ physio in my area so if the group is crap I’m going to get myself to her ASAP, before baby gets bigger and I can’t even hobble!