34 weeks and excruciating hip pain

[BabyB19]

Please help me. I've had the general achiness of late pregnancy but last night I woke after a couple of hours sleep hysterical in pain. I'm not normally a wuss and have a high pain threshold so I know it's bad that I've given in to taking paracetamol and it's not even taking the edge off. My OH has had to half carry me to the toilet and I'm bed bound as I can't weight bare at all. I've messaged my midwife this morning who has said I need to speak to GP so waiting on a callback. It's a shooting pain in my hip joint radiating down my thigh to my knee joint. I've never felt pain like it! Surely it can't be SPD or whatever else it's known as to come on that suddenly and that painfully?

I'm also experiencing hip pain, and I'm 28 weeks, though probably not as bad as you're mentioning. I also had hip pain in my first pregnancy with DD and it really affects my sleep as I mainly get it at night and it goes away in the day. I was told my the midwife in my first pregnancy that it's SPD, and the pain eased a little when we got a new mattress so I thought that was the end of that.

However I have the same mattress this time, and pain is still there. I bought a memory foam cushion that goes between your legs from amazon (not a pregnancy pillow, but a special one that keeps your legs apart and your hips aligned), and this is supposed to be great for hip, back and knee pain. I have to say it has helped with the pain, but comes out when I'm asleep whoch is annoying. You can get some with leg straps to keep them in place, so maybe try those?

My hip pain dissappeared completely when DD was born, so was definitely pregnancy related.

I had SPD. With my second baby it was so excruciating and I could barely walk. Your description sounds like my pain. Physio really helped so ask for referral urgently. They gave a belt/ girdle type thing that really helped minimise pain. They also recommended crutches at 34 weeks. I gave birth next day so didn't actually use them but you may need to.. Was so much worse at night. Pillow between legs lying on side helped. As did never ever doing anything separating legs e.g. swivel whole body to get out of car two-legged rather than one leg first. Also, don't push anything e.g. shopping trolleys etc. And don't walk on uneven ground e.g. beach. It's horrible, I feel for you x

Thanks for your replies ladies @SKP86 @Mylittlepony374 I can't not believe how unbearable it is. The Dr just called and said they would normally prescribe codiene but don't like to at term as it can affect babies breathing and I'm 34+3 already so he has gone to look at my options and call me back. There is absolutely no way I can cope with this for 5 weeks! Crutches would definitely be needed to get about even in the house I think. I've been referred for physio but what with the lack of face to face appointments I'm not sure what good that will be tbh! 🤞🏼 the dr can give me something x

Just an update if anyone is feeling the same, I have been prescribed minimum dose of codiene to see if it takes the edge off and an urgent physio referral made so hopefully that will come through quick and help the pain x

That's good. Even if you can't be seen face to face maybe they can get you the belt thingy. That was a big help.

Best of luck I hope it eases and resolves itself once baby is born, I think they can do braces/straps/girdles to help with SPD possibly?
From my own experience, if your pain continues after baby has been born, and you've tried physio, do NOT be fobbed off with just 'more physio' going forward. I ignored my painful hip/did the physio for months and I finally pushed for it to be investigated 18 months after DD was born and turned out I had stage three osteonecrosis and I'll need a hip replacement some time in the near future. I think what I ended up with is pretty rare, especially for my age, but if that pain continues longer term, insist on xrays and MRI scans if you can, just to make sure.
Best of luck with the birth! I hope your painkillers make it manageable until then.

Yes definitely il take any help at all right now @Mylittlepony374
I'm so sorry that yours continued @harper30 I'm keeping my fingers crossed that mine is just pregnancy related and that it will be over with sooner rather than later 🤞🏼 oh went and picked up the prescription on his way home so I can take one tonight before bed and hopefully get some sleep xx

Yes I'm sure yours won't be long lasting 🤞🤞🤞 it feels like forever especially when you are waiting for baby! I didn't mean to bring a horror story to the table either I'm sorry about that, I just don't want anyone else to just wait and hope it gets better like I did, just in case it's something serious.
I hope the painkillers kick some ass and you can be comfortable and sleep 😊 and I hope the physio will be helpful when you see them as well.
Covid is so shit, I would have said go for a swim to take all the weight off your joints/float around for a while but of course everything is so restricted or closed 😕 maybe a really full bath??

Oh gosh this started with me a couple of weeks ago and I honestly couldn't get over the pain, was told PGP, got a support belt and basically lay in bed for 3 days and rested going between hot and cold compresses and it did help it a good bit. Nowhere near as sore thankfully.

I really hope yours passes!!

Hi Guys!

I had SPD terribly in my last pregnancy and am 25 weeks into my second but things are a lot better this time because I have learned a lot....

I wanted to briefly share my opinion that stretching is the absolute best route to pain relief.

If you are in a chronic, absolutely-on-fire level of pain, then lying on a super soft bed (Extra duvets underneath you if need be) with a long pillow between your knees and ankles, is the most pain relieving position I know.

But, if you can, try some GENTLE stretches. If you have already done yoga/Pilates and have some favourite positions, tentatively try those. Go slowly and breathe and listen to your body. Avoid any open-leg while weight bearing positions.

I just found this video and the stretches are all ace, (except maybe avoid number 6)

I have some hip pain exactly as you describe at the moment @BabyB19 (shooting down outside of hip towards my knee) and I found exercise number 7 really helped. I used a scarf round my foot.

I hope this helps somebody. I know from last time that SPD can be scary and relentless but if you can try to gently stretch A few times a day, it can help a great deal

Solidarity with you all!! X

Please ring around and see if you can get an osteopath appointment, they can usually do treatments that make it far more bearable!!

The treatment is rest, ice packs front and back to reduce inflammation, more rest! Pillow between your legs on bed. Up and down the stairs on your bum, avoid walking, lifting, steps/stairs etc.

I was pregnant and had a broken hip...was waiting for replacement. Pain meant that I was on morphine for whole pregnancy. The baby was fine when she was born and no sign of morphine withdrawal.
Good luck op, hopefully physio provides some relief. Invest in a hot and cold heat pad for hips, mine came from amazon and velcroed round me so stayed on as I moved around. Crutches are very useful, but I was in a wheelchair anyway.
I just wanted to reassure you a bit that you should be ok as will the baby, but try not to be too set on birthing plans as things may need to change and adapt. (Had to have c-section as opening my legs wide enough to give birth would have destroyed the remains of my hip and left nothing for the replacement to bed into!)

Thank you much @balloonsintrees I've been really worrying about taking a couple of codiene this last few weeks so hearing you had long term morphine and it was all ok has made me feel better! I really wanted a water birth but I know if this carries on the chances of being able to open my hips enough for labour are unrealistic really. But as long as baby gets here safely it's all I ask.
Thank you for sharing the stretches @Gerdticker at the moment I am managing to stand for about 5 minutes after the pain killers kick in and lean on the window sill putting most weight on to my elbows and very (and I mean barely at all really) rotate my hips slightly. I'm hoping doing this a little more each time will start to improve and I'll be able to do more.
My usual go to @harper30 for most things is a bath but I can't get in and out of it, it's quite deep set and I'm very big atm so I don't want to put that on OH I am trying to keep a little dignity for now 😭🤣 but as soon as I can manage I'll be in there.
Thanks to the rest of you for sharing your ideas and experience too. I did manage a bit of sleep last night with the codiene and I'm hoping slowly but surely and with a physio app pending I'll be back on my feet pronto! Any other ideas are welcome xx