PGP??

[devilishlygood]

So having navigated a pretty emotional few weeks with what must have been a hormone dump, I am now experiencing physical symptoms.

I woke up on Monday with what can best be described as bruise-like pain in the front of my pubic bone. Is this likely SPD or PGP?

Over the course of this week, I’ve stayed mobile...I walk the dog a couple of miles a day as normal, just slower. And I got a yoga ball to take into work. But since using this, I feel like the pain is now extending to my whole saddle region! I feel like I have been on an uncomfortable pedal cycle with a saddle designed more for men. For a long time!

I saw my MW who suggested I look at the Pelvic Partnership website, but it’s only recommending ‘manual practitioners’, none of whom are local nor affordable. Pillow between my legs at night makes it less comfortable. Any reasonable suggestions welcome!!

You can see your GP and ask them to refer you to NHS physio. In some areas you can self-refer too.

At my local hospital I was referred for a group info/advice session run by a physio, which was reasonably helpful... by the time I actually got a one-to-one appointment it was too late to be particularly helpful. So I advise you to get a referral in ASAP!

The pelvic partnership website does have good advice IIRC. These are my tips:

• Rest as much as possible, walk as little as possible, it's debilitating and depressing but I found that overdoing things just made my pain loads worse
• Do pregnancy Pilates and/or pregnancy yoga if you can afford it - obviously tell the instructor about your PGP and they will advise you when you need to modify things.
• Personally being in water was a huge relief as it took weight off my pelvis. I would swim very carefully (avoided breaststroke as you shouldn't separate knees too wide) and at the end I would just hang out in the pool Baths can be good too if you have a big one and help to get in and out.
• Lastly I know you said you can't afford a manual therapist - so hopefully you can some help on the NHS - but if you get really desperate and can find the money, a good physio, osteopath or chiropractor can help a lot - I found a good osteo who I saw several times and it brought me a lot of relief
• Birth plan, please make sure you have one and write clearly that you have PGP, the midwives at your birth (and doctors if you need them) should be aware of this and should make sure risk of injury is minimised ie by not asking you to spread legs wide and put feet in stirrups, etc.