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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

A&E for Pelvic Girdle Pain

26 replies

Pearsapiece · 06/10/2020 06:30

It sounds drastic but I don't know what else to do. The pain is so bad I can't walk. Right in the public bone area and right in the middle between my legs as well as my lower back. I've never felt pain like it. It's gradually getting worse having started mildly a week ago. Last night I was crying in pain and this morning it's no better.
I've already reffered to the physio and am awaiting an appointment which I was told I would be contacted about this week.
I feel like contacting the gp will result in 'take paracetamol and wait for the physio' when what I really need is something to help me get around.
Would I be unreasonable to go to A&E if it gets as bad as last night or worse? I don't know how I'm going to manage work today because I can't physically walk.

OP posts:
sarahc336 · 06/10/2020 06:33

You'll need crutches if it's that bad, a&e is a risk with covid. Can't you phone your midwife for advice re the physio? Sounds like it's really bad for you 😬 xx

supercalifragilistic123 · 06/10/2020 06:38

You can phone the maternity unit. They can prescribe you something.

Sympathies Flowers I remember it so well

ivfbeenbusy · 06/10/2020 06:40

I'm Not really sure what a&e would do to be honest.....id wait and speak to your midwife - last thing you want to do is sit in a&e for a few hours on your own (don't think you are allowed people with you)

Shadow1986 · 06/10/2020 06:44

I had the same pain it was horrific. First pregnancy I tried the nhs physio and it did nothing to help.

Second pregnancy I paid a chiropractor and that definitely helped me. My pelvis wasn’t straight (if I laid down and put my legs out you could see one leg was a lot shorter than the other) so when she realigned my pelvis and it was straight, it was so much more bearable.

Also, no to A&E I can’t imagine them doing anything to help you.

teezletangler · 06/10/2020 06:45

How many weeks are you? Generally A&E won't see you when pregnant, you need to go to maternity assessment (esp as this is pregnancy-related).

This is a great resource: https://pelvicpartnership.org.uk

Can you afford private treatment? It sounds like you need crutches and serious pain relief, but hands-on manipulation such as chiropractic or osteopathy is also really important for this condition.

Original poster
Pearsapiece · 06/10/2020 06:47

Will the midwife be able to do anything for me though? I'll definitely give her a ring this morning, they tend to be easier to get hold of than gp's and I don't want to waste anyones time! Then she can point me in the right direction. The idea of waiting for this physio referral to go through before getting any help fills me with dread though.

OP posts:
Trevorina · 06/10/2020 06:48

When I saw the physio I mentioned I had a weekend like yours. I could only walk if I put firm pressure on my pubic bone with one hand and then used the other hand to hold onto things. She said I should go to a&e if it happened again

Arrowcat · 06/10/2020 06:49

Try a bump support band too. I have one from Amazon (a three band system) and it does help a bit. Also it may come and go - I was in excruciating pain for a week or so then it got better and now it's worse again but not as bad. So there is some hope. Also try not to sit on uncomfortable surfaces (anything hard ) and lie down to spread the weight. Xx

Original poster
Pearsapiece · 06/10/2020 06:49

Unfortunately, private treatment isn't an option for us thanks to furlough hoovering up any extra money! But I think crutches would be a massive help, especially as I live on the second floor with no lift.
It's things like lifting toddler ds out of the car and things that make it so difficult, and that's as side from the general walking issues

OP posts:
otterbaby · 06/10/2020 06:57

They can definitely prescribe crutches. Mine also gave me codeine to take if it got really bad, so that's an option as well.

Trevorina · 06/10/2020 07:33

Overall the thing I found that helped me the most was just resting as much as I could. The physio said I shouldn't do things like vacuuming/sweeping/pushing trolley/pushchair. I had an almost 3 year old at the time so I had to occasionally use the pushchair but otherwise I had to get her to walk.

Physio said a&e would give me crutches. Crutches also seem to pop up on Freecycle so may be worth a try(!)

doadeer · 06/10/2020 07:38

I had really severe PGP too. The physio did nothing for me. They gave me a support band but I'm not sure how much it helped.

I would ask for stronger painkillers. You might find an osteopath gives relief but not sure you can get that on NHS.

I was almost housebound at the end as I couldn't get back up the stairs to my flat 😢

Not sure what else to advise - it can be horrific really

itakephotos · 06/10/2020 07:42

I can totally sympathize, I had this really bad with my first. If you can afford to it's so worth paying for a chiropractor (if you can find one specializing in pregnancy bonus) she sorted my pain out almost immediately

PearsMorgan · 06/10/2020 07:44

I was going to say osteopath then saw your post about funds. If you’re in reach of London you can get cheap (but excellent) treatment at the British school of osteopathy and there may be other training locations. I think some do pro Bono work as well they’re an altruistic bunch.

Ruex · 06/10/2020 07:49

If you can't walk you need to get signed off work. I was signed off at 29 weeks. The belt, crutches and physio didn't work for me at all. I sympathise it's horrible.

cultkid · 06/10/2020 09:08

Ring labour or day care
Go in for a review

They can prescribe codeine or tramadol for the pain
It's excruciating I know

Also try lying with a pillow under your bottom and lower back to tip your pelvis towards the matress it can help

cat709 · 06/10/2020 09:16

@Pearsapiece
Hiya, I have severe pelvic hurdle pain too. It is scary and so frustrating.
What have you done so far to assist?
I do the exercises, baths, and my partner massages the area for ten mins every day.
I also avoid standing still where I can as that aggravates it.
I've got my first nhs physio next week, as we too can't afford private x

Teakind · 06/10/2020 09:21

OP, I feel your pain. PGP can be awful. I'm afraid, like other posters, I found the NHS physio pretty much useless. They gave me crutches but I found them too hard to use.

The useful tips I did get from them was:

  • to walk up the stairs sideways (holding on to a rail!)
  • when getting out of bed, lie on your side and push yourself up with your arms until you can swing both legs off the bed together
  • sit on a plastic bag in the car so you can swivel on it with your legs together to make getting in and out easier
  • don't sit slouched on a sofa. It may feel comfortable at the time but its not good for you. Have both feet on the ground and put cushions behind you so you are upright (I didn't listen to this one but wish I had as they think it's partly why my DD was back to back)
  • Never cross your legs

Can you ask for a referral to a chiropractor or osteopath? If they won't, it might. be worth looking at how much it would be to go private as it's not as expensive as some other private treatment.

I hope you feel better soon

DevonLulu · 06/10/2020 09:25

I’m sorry to sound harsh, but massively unreasonable.

It is neither an accident or an emergency.

Please use our valuable health service wisely. They will not be pleased to see you, and neither should they be.

ED departments are running at maximum capacity at the moment with staff at breaking point. Please think carefully.

cultkid · 06/10/2020 10:25

@DevonLulu

Totally disagree with you

Until you know for certain it's girdle pain you have to treat it as a possibility of something not right with the pregnancy

But all labour wards have day care units which is like an a&e walk in for pregnant women

Which is what the OP needs

doadeer · 06/10/2020 10:27

I don't know what A&E could do for you really. I would have a phone call with GP and ask for strong pain killers.

From my experience all a physio can do is give you exercises but for me these were too late, I couldn't strengthen the muscles in time to prevent pelvic movement and my ligaments were very lax. They can give crutches and a belt but again - no miracle cures.

At least an osteopath or chiropractor can do manual manipulation which may cause relief.

Sorry to sound negative but I think it's about managing not fixing PGP.

doadeer · 06/10/2020 10:28

@doadeer

I don't know what A&E could do for you really. I would have a phone call with GP and ask for strong pain killers.

From my experience all a physio can do is give you exercises but for me these were too late, I couldn't strengthen the muscles in time to prevent pelvic movement and my ligaments were very lax. They can give crutches and a belt but again - no miracle cures.

At least an osteopath or chiropractor can do manual manipulation which may cause relief.

Sorry to sound negative but I think it's about managing not fixing PGP.

Sorry I should say this is if you know it's PGP. Obviously it could be something else which needs to be investigated by midwifery team
NameChange30 · 06/10/2020 10:34

Honestly, manual therapy is the only thing that helps, so I would advise you to prioritise that if you can possibly scrape together or beg, borrow or steal the money to afford it. See if you can find a trainee or other low cost option as PearsMorgan suggests.

The other thing with PGP is that you have to do as little as possible otherwise you will just make it worse (unlike some back pain when it's best to keep moving). Take sick leave from work if it's really bad. Do not lift your toddler unless you absolutely have to (get them climbing in and out of the car seat themselves if they can, etc). Don't do housework - DH/DP can do it or it just doesn't get done.

If you have a bath that can provide a lot of relief, just make sure you have DH/DP on standby to help you get in and out.

As a PP said the pelvic partnership website is helpful, and there is also a Facebook group for advice and support.

NameChange30 · 06/10/2020 10:35

Oh and I also meant to say that a support belt can make it worse if you have a misalignment in the pelvis, this has to be corrected first by manual therapy before you can wear a support belt.

Original poster
Pearsapiece · 07/10/2020 17:48

Thank you to those who sympathised and gave me advice on this.
I spoke to midwife yesterday who recommended I contact my gp. Spoke to gp who offered stronger pain killers which I declined as they can make the baby sleepy and my first was induced due to recurrent reduced fetal movement.
The gp did say to contact the physio and get them to rush the referral through which I did (politely - I know it's a very tough time for such services at the moment) and they rang me for a phone consultation today and have booked a face to face appointment for Friday to fit a bump support band and crutches.
As much as crutches feels extreme and like a massive pain in the arse, anything to help me get around at this stage will be greatfully received.
In the meantime, I guess I'll have to make the best of the other factors of this pregnancy like excessive cheese intake and lovely baby kicks.

OP posts:
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