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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Think I have PGP - grateful for any tips

62 replies

StargazyDrifter · 01/01/2019 19:48

I'm only 13+2 but, having googled a bit, I think I might have PGP.

Although I've had a very restful Christmas break and only walked for about 20 minutes yesterday, I've been in quite a lot of pain today, which doesn't seem to be going away. The pain is on the inside and outside of my thighs and in my buttocks. Sort of feels like I've been to a boot camp or been riding for the first time or something. It's really uncomfortable to walk (I sort of hobble, much to DH's amusement), and hurts to sit down (sitting itself is fine once static). Dreading going back to work tomorrow!

I'd be really grateful for any thoughts or experiences of PGP. Does this sort of thing come and go, or is it permanent once it's set in? Will make a GP appt tomorrow but unlikely to be seen for a couple of weeks. ☹️

OP posts:
workinprogressmum · 02/01/2019 01:59

You can buy a support belt. I also saw a physiotherapist (your GP will refer you), slept on a memory foam mattress topper and used pregnancy pillows to support during sleep. Nothing really got rid of it apart from giving birth and it went straight away!

physicskate · 02/01/2019 07:41

Pelvic partnership website has all the info you need.

Does it hurt to turn over in bed?

Surfskatefamily · 02/01/2019 07:46

Is that the same as spd? Ihad it from 26weeks and could barely walk by the end. I went swimming a bunch of times and found some relief just floating in the pool

le42 · 02/01/2019 07:56

I was referred to a physio from GP who was hopelessly unknowledgable about pregnancy, does your hospital offer physio as I’ve found it better seeing a specialist physio in the women’s gyno department -might be totally different experience for you but worth checking. I didn’t get a support belt till the physio as she showed me where would bear support with my pains.

Good luck!

toomanyflatwhites · 02/01/2019 08:59

If it's SPD/PGP an osteopath can work wonders if you can afford to see one. Also I second the recommendation to check pelvic partners website (they have recommended therapists listed by area too).
Are you particularly open/flexible? I have been told by a yoga teacher that they haven't seen SPD in people who aren't - though I'm not sure if that made me feel better about being unable to walk from about 35 weeks! Am trying to avoid it in my second pregnancy by seeing an osteopath regularly from early on and watching out for warning signs of pain. You need to learn to move in a certain way too, keeping hips level and legs together where possible - don't stand on one leg to put trousers on, sit down instead, getting out of a car swivel and keep hips together etc... but do try and see someone if you can.

Original poster
StargazyDrifter · 02/01/2019 10:09

Thank you so very much, everyone! This is all extremely useful info!

I gather SPD is a subset of PGP. Yes, it does hurt to turn over in bed, definitely. And I am very flexible, have always been told this and can do strange stuff like touching my wrist with my thumb. My hospital is a big teaching one so will investigate the physio options there as well as via GP.

After another painful night I just 💜 the power of Mumsnet! Thank you again!

OP posts:
physicskate · 02/01/2019 18:49

Oh no op - you sound just like me!! Thumbs to wrists!! I got crutches from about 28 weeks after being referred to physio at 19 weeks and having a 'group session' (useless) at 22 weeks...

The pain started for me at about 11 ish weeks.

Original poster
StargazyDrifter · 02/01/2019 19:05

That does sound very similar physicskate. I suspect the group thing is all my GP will be able to do. When you got crutches, were you able to go about your day/go to work or does that effectively trigger mat leave early?

I'm aware that my legs are ever so slightly different in length and I wonder whether this is the root of it all. Lying down a lot seems to have helped today. Or maybe I've got used to it!

OP posts:
physicskate · 02/01/2019 19:32

The crutches help but every step still hurts. I'm still insisting on trying to go to work (very part time term time only) as I feel like everything else has been taken away (I can't do the shop or clean and seeing friends is generally difficult too). But I probably won't last much longer. I'm 31 weeks on Friday and when I think about yet another 13 weeks of this (possibly) I do cry.

I am trying to get help though - massage booked for next week (she's also an osteopath). If that doesn't help I'm trying to find a chiropractor (but yet to find one in my area). But it really is quite shit.

le42 · 02/01/2019 19:36

@physicskate - that sounds so dreadful for you ☹️ Have you discussed with your midwife how this would impact labour?

I’m in a terrible state. Some days I can’t leave the house (live in a flat) and I’m extremely worried about how this will relate to labour.

Original poster
StargazyDrifter · 02/01/2019 19:46

physicskate and le42 that does sound very tough indeed. I hope you manage to find ways to ease this. Thank you for sharing though, it's been immensely helpful to read.

Labour is a good question. If I ended up in that situation I'd be tempted by an ELCS. But then does that leave you with having to recover from PGP and also an abdominal op? Hugs to you both!

OP posts:
le42 · 02/01/2019 20:57

@stargazydrifter - I’m in that position now, PGP/SPD isn’t physical grounds for an elective - I’m meeting with a consultant next week to discuss it but I think they can reject my request.

Original poster
StargazyDrifter · 02/01/2019 21:05

le42 that must feel like such a big worry at the moment, to get it all settled. I hope you get what you want.

I have a consultant appointment to talk about an ELCS in a couple of weeks' time because of various other things wrong with my bones. I'm also worried they might say no and that when I do give birth I might injure myself. It would be no good to me to have been right all along by that stage!

This charity is someghing previous posters on MN have mentioned, I've not looked properly yet but you might find it useful ahead of your appt:

www.birthrights.org.uk

OP posts:
physicskate · 02/01/2019 21:32

My midwife says it's 'normal' for a generally fit and well woman to not be able to walk more than 500m at 24 weeks. Hmm And it's become worse since then.

I know I can't lie flat on my back (but sitting up is fine. So hoping I can labour and deliver without going flat on my back. I really want to go for a vb...

Original poster
StargazyDrifter · 02/01/2019 21:37

Hmm doesn't sound normal to me exactly, physicskate. It might be fairly common, like bleeding in early pregnancy, but that doesn't make it normal.

Someone recommended a yoga class called something like Daisy Yoga... they focus a lot on birth positions and stuff. I wonder if that might be worth you checking out, if you haven't already? There was also some convoluted thing online about measuring how far apart you can get your legs, in preparation for labour. The article I read involved a husband and a tape measure! 🙈

OP posts:
physicskate · 02/01/2019 21:44

I'm on it. I go to weekly prenatal yoga too. I do find it makes it worse, even though I modify everything!

Spreading my legs isn't such a problem for me. It's the uneven weight disruption or being asymmetrical mostly. But then my si joint and legs sieve up randomly too! but it's the constant feeling of being kicked on the crotch with a steel-toed boot that is the most irritating...

le42 · 02/01/2019 21:49

Before I became pregnant I practiced yoga every day actually, I was about to do my teacher training, my mum owns a yoga studio. I’m in far to much pain and too restricted with my movement to do any pose these days. It’s been completely demoralising for me..... a few months ago I was doing wheel and the splits and now I can do child pose 🙈

I had thought a water birth might be good for pelvic pain but now I’m not sure I’d be able to get in / out the bath!! 😅

But I would say if you can do yoga 100% do it- it’s so good for you!

le42 · 02/01/2019 21:50

Can’t do child pose **

Original poster
StargazyDrifter · 02/01/2019 22:02

Really interesting to hear. I had originally planned to do pregnancy yoga but, given how I've been over the last few days, struggling to bend/kneel down to get stuff from the freezer or to sit on the loo, I think I might have to miss it and go for swimming. I was going to ask the GP and then ask the studio if they can accommodate this (if diagnosed, though suspect it will be). And there I was thinking I was all done with pregnancy misery after the nausea started to subside!

OP posts:
Original poster
StargazyDrifter · 02/01/2019 22:04

Btw I just looked up the wheel - wow, respect!

OP posts:
le42 · 02/01/2019 22:15

@StargazyDrifter awww thank you! Feels like a distant memory hahahah.

My physio did recommend walking in the pool which might give you some relief too (though you feel a bit like a plonker!)

Hope you find some relief... don't give up as lots of people say swimming, osteopaths, physio etc do help!

Original poster
StargazyDrifter · 02/01/2019 22:28

I already look like a plonker hobbling around 😂 so very up for the pool idea! I'm sure you'll get all that wonderful yoga stuff back once the baby is here. What an amazing thing to be able to do.

OP posts:
le42 · 02/01/2019 22:34

Thank you

shecamefromgreece · 02/01/2019 22:35

I had really really bad pgp with dc3. I was on crutches.
It didn't really affect my birth at all and went almost immediately after birth.
Do as little as possible, try and find a chiropractor that specialises in it, get physio, do not push shopping trolleys and be careful getting out of bed, it is really horrible Flowers

LifeBeginsNow · 02/01/2019 22:38

Just to give you all some hope... I suffered badly very early on and right through but the labour itself was very quick and I had a lovely water birth. Getting in was a little tricky but I had help.