PGP/ SPD help - how do you cope with the pain?

[Babyaug2020x]

Hi everyone, I’m 34 weeks 4 days and my midwife at my last appt said baby was 4/5 engaged which I’m assuming is why my pelvic/hip pain is so so bad at the moment.

It’s absolutely excruciating. I can’t stand for more than 5 minutes, it hurts to sit down, I can’t lie on my side, even lying on my back is agony. If I need to bend over then forget it, my hips crack and I can’t get myself back up.

The only relief I get is the bath but I’ve already had 2 today and I can’t just stay there all day 😩

My midwife mentioned getting me some crutches but it’s so bad even when I’m not active that I don’t really know what to do. I have a high pain tolerance usually and even for me this is awful. I’m constantly so uncomfortable, I’m getting hardly any sleep so I’m crying all the time in the day cos I’m so miserable.

Has anything at all helped? I’ve tried support belts, paracetamol (does nothing!), sitting on my birth ball, nothing touches the sides :(

Have you tried a pillow in between your knees when lying on your side? That helped me immensely.

I had Tramadol prescribed by my GP to cope with the pain. And crutches too. I was basically sitting still for most of the last trimester, walking as little as possible to minimise the pain. I know women who were in wheelchairs towards the end.

Whereabouts does it hurt most OP?

The website Spinning Babies has a wealth of info on exercises to relieve pain and also help babies get into the right place for delivery.

This page explains the ‘inversion’ move which might help you?

You basically go upside down to help baby move up into your abdomen a little, which can relieve pressure for some moments and help any twisted/strained ligaments

TAKE IT CAREFULLY attempting these. Have lots of pillows/folded duvet for padding support. Don’t attempt it for too long.

I did this a lot when pregnant for DC1 and found it did help x

Oh the link would help

spinningbabies.com/how-to-do-an-inversion/

Ice pack on v lowest part of back, basically at tail bone (swelling and inflammation from being twisted up will be causing some, although of course not all, of thebpain).

If you can afford it, look for a chiropractor. Preferably one who specialises or at least has real experience working with pregnant women. Referrals are often best for finding one. I can recommend in Surrey and london.

Have you been given a belt? If not, buy one. I think you can get them from pharmacies or online (I got mine from chiro). I forget what they are called but a quick Google should help.

Basically your pelvis is all over the place causing direct pain and indirect pain (swelling, sciatica etc). Belt helps to hold it in place. Ditto chiro.

Osteopath sessions, although I think you would need to see one privately. I’m on my fourth session and it’s really helping although I’m not as far gone as you. It is expensive though to be seen every week (which is what I need currently) and most private insurers won’t allow you to claim it back due to being related to pregnancy so it’s not a possible option for everyone. The osteopath should be able to give you exercises to help with the pain aswell as help to align your pelvis. Also cold compresses for 15 minutes then 10 minutes with a hot water bottle and continue to rotate for an hour twice a day, either in your lower groin/hip area or lower back. If you don’t have one already then buy a pelvic support belt, I got mine from JoJo Mamabe for £30 which is ‘medical grade’ and it’s the only thing I find that relieves the pain when I’m walking around

Osteopath - I went in on crutches and came out not needing them.

Ice pack on your pubic bone on and off all day (peas are great). Rest, rest and more rest. Tiny steps when walking, up and down stairs on your bum, no carrying a child etc etc.

Osteopath - I went in on crutches and came out not needing them.

Ice pack on your pubic bone on and off all day (peas are great). Rest, rest and more rest. Tiny steps when walking, up and down stairs on your bum, no carrying a child etc etc.

Check in your local area - a lot of them have self referral for women's health physio on the NHS which can be invaluable, if not ask your midwife about it.
Trying not to have legs crossed / sitting with feet tucked underneath / legs to one side can help too. So basically keeping your hips in a straight line all the time, this includes the pillow between the knees as a PP said. Do you have a pregnancy pillow?
Support belts don't work for everyone but something else to try is a size K tubigrip - it's a really big tubigrip and you basically pull it completely over your bump so the top of the tubigrip is top of the bump and bottom is under your hips - some ladies find this helpful.
You could also try some pre-natal Pilates or yoga - they exercise the muscles that support your pelvis so can also be helpful. Sometimes it's just finding the right combination! Hope you get some relief soon.

I'm glad I saw this post, and sorry to jump on OP. I actually went to the assesment unit yesterday with this unbareable pain in my groin and thankfully baby is absolutely fine but they've said it's 'just' PGP. I could cry 😭 (infact I have cried, I know our bodies are doing amazing things but seriously this is so sore!!)

Yes, Osteopath is good too. I always forget that when recommending chiros.

@CBhope thank you for the actual name of the belt I was talking about! They are game changers and I honestly don't understand why at th every least they aren't routinely recommended. Cost perhaps? Women should just suck up all pain to do with pregnancy and childbirth? Argh.