PGP

[devilishlygood]

I’ve got it. I’m awake all night with it despite pillows and between leg aids, different mattresses (tried the spare room which is a very expensive orthopaedic mattress, and with a memory foam topper on ours...even tried DSD little bed just in case!!😂) Haven’t slept now for a couple of weeks, wearing a bit thin 😬

I walk the dog a couple of miles a day. It loosens things up and I take it really slowly. I do notice that trainers are a lot better than unsupportive footwear like flip flops. I find swimming quite uncomfortable despite the advice. Start yoga again at the end of the month... I’m on my own mon-fri as DH works away, I can’t do nothing all day. I am office based but GP has suggested negotiating my hours which I will do after this holiday time I have this week.

Has anyone had success with a manual therapist from the list on Pelvic Partnership website? Is it worth it? I spoke to my GP briefly, but waiting times are about 4-6mths and I’m due in Nov 🤪

I don't think the walking is helping tbh. I was told by numerous physios only walk when you need to.

Join the pelvic partnership and see a manual therapist. It is treatable. I did this and it eased for a couple of weeks. Managed to sleep which was a blessing.

Right. Thank you. I’m reluctant to give up the walking because it is the only mental stimulation I get all day! But I will see how it impacts for a few days to stay in and do nothing.

Reading through old posts here, an osteopath seems to get greater recognition than physio, if anyone has any further info on that. I joined the pelvic partnership but was already signed up to the stuff they suggest (yoga, swimming...) and found nothing ‘new’ or enlightening really.

All the manual therapists listed are over a couple of hours’ drive from me.... guess I’ll just have to try someone locally... 🤷‍♀️

Yes, you really have to limit activity.

I find that for me I don't feel pain when I'm doing the aggravating activity but stopping doing certain things has really helped.

• No sitting/lying on the floor
• No curling my legs underneath me
• No swimming breast stroke
• No unnecessary walking
• No missionary position sex
• Going up stairs one at a time (noticed a big difference after doing this)
• Keeping my core engaged when I have to walk
• No squats
• No bridge exercises (anything that activates my glutes even slightly seems to be very painful - the absolute worst position for me to be in is on my back, knees bent and feet flat on the floor so birth is going to be fun!!)

It's really hard because I used to love walking and now I just can't do it. It also takes time to get into the habit of walking up and down stairs differently, engaging my core etc.

Really hope that you manage to get it sorted as it seems like hell.
I have recently been to physio for pgp and yes walking was a no. They advise other exercises on the floor or using a gym ball.
The pain you suffer at night is because of the over exertion during the day.
My physio even told me to request a closer parking space at work to limit walking as much as possible as although walking is great exercise for pregnancy, it can aggravate pgp.
Have you tried any aqua natal? That's recommended. Although I can't make it to the local classes I have found that if I go for a gentle swim at the weekend I really notice the difference that day.
Also, support belts can help distribute the weight of your bump.
Really hope you get it sorted

Hi, I’m 26 weeks and really starting to struggle. I also try to swim and have dogs so try to stay active while I can but it leaves me in quite a bit of pain for the rest of the day. My nearest manual therapist off the pelvic partnership website was in Cumbria which is a couple of hours away, given driving can sometimes be painful I was reluctant. I messaged a physiotherapy practice yesterday asking if they could recommend anywhere nearby, they don’t really advertise but they’re specialists in pre natal problems. 45 mins hands on session and a few home exercises and he reckons I’ll be sorted. Where abouts are you? I recommend ringing around. I’ll report back tomorrow after my session if there’s any good advice/tips xx

So after the last few days and based on my previous patterns, I definitely benefit from exercising. Doing nothing left me in excruciating pain all day, paracetamol didn’t touch it, and even an evening bath didn’t help.

By contrast, having a gentle walk for a couple of miles and some strengthening stretches from the all-fours position through the day all meant the best night’s sleep!

The issue with treatment for PGP, it seems, is decidedly different for each and every sufferer. Frustrating. But I guess we owe it to ourselves to work through the range of advice to find out what helps in individual cases.

Good luck to all of you in your quest for comfort! 🥰

I'm glad walking works for you. It's really a horrendous condition.

My little one is 3 weeks old and I scuppered with pgp/spd since January and it really peeked around April. My job meant I was on my feet constantly, and it made it worse.

Today, I still have pain. I have a physio app through NHS in 2 weeks and I'm getting booked in for private manual therapy 6 weeks time. Today, I managed to hoover and clean like I used too. Sounds pathetic, but im so happy being able to do this again haha

Wishing you the best of luck in your pregnancy.

If it ever does get too sore in bed, try see if you can order a slide sheet from ebay, or one of those bed pads. You can get puppy pads from b and m. They worked wonders for me getting out of bed and turning in bed. X