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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Pregnancy & PGP

17 replies

OltaB · 02/12/2020 10:13

I'm 20 weeks pregnant and struggling with PGP. Until last week I was able to cope with the pain and spinn for 40 minutes every day. Now I'm finding it hard to do anything at all 😭. Has anyone been able to exercise during pregnancy while having PGP or will that make it worse? I'm only asking because it really affects my mental health as normally I'm very active and fit. Now I feel useless and ashamed of myself, as I can't get out of bed :( I would appreciate any advice. My midwife said its normal and didn't give any advice. After reading other posts here I called the GP and asked for physiotherapy, but not sure how long it will take before I get seen. Any advice? Any useful exercises?

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88bowie · 02/12/2020 10:31

I'm 20 weeks and have got sciatica on my right side, I'm unable to do exercise as a high risk preg with stitch in place, but find using my pregnancy pillow in between my legs and night helps, have a yoga ball loads of you tube videos that give u simple exercises to do.
Do u like swimming ? Maybe that could help if ur locals pools are open or just going for a gentle walk

Original poster

OltaB · 02/12/2020 10:51

@88bowie unfortunately walking makes the pain worse! Local pools are still closed at the moment and YouTube exercises haven't helped so far. Feeling quite hopeless 😔 I've tried the pillow and it helps to make me feel a bit more comfortable but it doesn't stop the pain.

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88bowie · 02/12/2020 10:55

Oh I feel ur pain, have u tired pain killers when really bad, or hot water bottle, hopefully physio will be able to see you quickly

firstimemamma · 02/12/2020 10:58

I struggled with this from 18 weeks and my midwife referred me for physio which helped. Go back to your midwife and try to push for this. She was wrong to dismiss you.

Mumof3almost4 · 02/12/2020 10:58

I'm 32 weeks and have managed to keep doing weights sessions with PGP. Up until lockdown I was swimming too, we are tier 3 and pools reopening today so I'm going to go back swimming.
Walking and doing my usual cleaning is causing the most pain.
Could you use a weights bench and some weights? You can at least do some upper body work outs?

Mumof3almost4 · 02/12/2020 11:00

So sorry just realised you said you can't get out of bed! Ignore me!

Yes insist on being referred for physio! Hope you get sorted, good luck!

AliceinBunniland · 02/12/2020 11:06

I had PGP from quite early on in my first pregnancy and I found I'd be in pain for hours after if I walked too much.

There are things you can do to help like avoiding putting pressure on one leg eg sit down to put trousers on, put a pillow between your legs when you sleep, turn with both legs together...

I wasn't very active as there wasn't much I could do.

I think you can get support belts which can help.

Ask to see the physio. I didn't see one during pregnancy but I found some advice online.

If you need to rest for the next 20 weeks, so be it.

Souperspooker · 02/12/2020 11:09

Yes I had the same it's horrible so big sympathy.
Rest really is good but also the right sort of strengthening exercise will hrlp-but be guided by a professional about this.
Physio will help but the wait lists CAN. Be long as due to insurance I think you have to be seen by women's health specialist physio and there are less of them .
If you can afford it see a private oestopath or physiotherapist asap. If you can't get out of bed this is serious. I agree the midwife should not have dismissed you -speak to GP re pain relief.
Perlvic support band is v helpful-quite literally keeps your bones together. Get a pregnancy specialist one so it fit better under your bump.
When getting in or out if car, keep knees together. Avoid any other movements with legs wide.
Sleep support pillow are good. Regular pain relief and apply heat -hot water bottle or wheat bag web pain killers wear off. Topical gel like Biofreeze is also helpful-check label I can't remember if ok in pregnancy

Mylittlepony374 · 02/12/2020 11:16

I did Aquacise classes and just walked up and down the pool. That was all I could manage.
I found a support belt from physio really helped. I'll try and find a link for you and send on.
The other thing is do everything with your legs together i.e. Get out of car by swinging both legs out together, not one at time. Don't stand on one leg to get your pants on, sit down etc.
Also, don't push anything. Pushing shopping trolleys/ buggy's really aggravated mine.
High heels and uneven ground (e.g. Sand on beach) also to be avoided.
Physio is a must. Push for it.
Sorry you're going through this. It's tough

physicskate · 02/12/2020 11:28

Go to the pelvic partnership website (google it). Read every word that you can.

You need manual therapy. Some physios don't do this, but a list of private practitioners who come recommended are on the pelvic partnership website, along with TONNES of useful info and advice.

NameChange30 · 02/12/2020 11:44

I've had PGP in both pregnancies, worse in the second. I was going to recommend the Pelvic Partnership website but physicskate beat me to it! There is also a Facebook group which is helpful.

My advice is do NOT try and push through the pain as you'll just make it worse. It's shit and it's depressing but you have to accept your limitations, take it easy and rest when you need to. It's hard but remind yourself that you're growing a baby and it's temporary, in the vast majority of cases it will go away after baby is born.

Manual therapy can be extremely helpful so if you can afford to, pay someone privately - look at the pelvic partnership list or ask around for recommendations. (My osteo wasn't on their list but was recommended by so many people and was excellent.)

Being in water helps if you can go to the pool or just have a bath (get DP on standby to help you get in and out if needed). If swimming, do not do breaststroke! You need to avoid spreading your knees too wide.

Pregnancy Pilates and/or yoga can also be helpful but make sure you tell the instructor you have PGP.

NameChange30 · 02/12/2020 11:46

PS i found that cycling was easier than walking, so I managed to get around on my bike for a while before that became too painful (and I got too huge!)

Original poster

OltaB · 02/12/2020 14:21

I appreciate all the advice. I will definitely call my midwife and ask for more support. In the meantime I have arranged an appointment with a private physiotherapist, but not sure how many appointments I can afford. How many sessions are needed on average?

I will try the hot bottle water as well.

How did you ladies cope emotionally? I'm finding this unbearable and I'm terrified of having chronic pain after the pregnancy.

This is my first pregnancy, will I have PGP again in other pregnancies as well🥺?

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NameChange30 · 02/12/2020 14:26

I saw my osteo every 10-14 days when it was bad, but you might find you can space them out more, everyone is different. I certainly wasn't doing a daily spinning session until 20 weeks So you're probably fitter and stronger than me which means you might suffer less.

It's not guaranteed that you'll get it again in future pregnancies but it is likely. However it should go away after baby is born! I was back to normal after DC1, it's taking a bit longer after DC2 but much better than it was and I'm getting there.

Re mental health - please talk to your midwife about that as well. There's no magic solution but talking about it does help. You might find that CBT or counselling would be helpful if you are struggling with your MH

firstimemamma · 02/12/2020 15:03

I wore a support belt (Amazon) when standing or walking which helped quite a lot but that was specially recommended to me by a professional so I don't want to potentially tell u to do the wrong thing! Another thing to ask about though when u next speak to someone.

Original poster

OltaB · 02/12/2020 15:09

@NameChange30

I was told the pain was normal so I kept pushing myself until last week. I didn't know I was hurting myself by exercising and stretching 😏

It is very good to hear that it will go away though.

Can anyone share any YouTube links? Not sure which one is good.

Thank you so much, this has been a huuuge help today!! 🙏🏻🥰

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NameChange30 · 02/12/2020 15:13

Midwife was wrong, it's not normal and it was an error to push yourself (not your fault as you didn't know) but hopefully if you get plenty of rest you will recover enough to be able to do a bit more (I don't mean loads, just more than you're doing right now while in so much pain).

You need to see a professional really and not just do YouTube exercises. Even a pregnancy Pilates or yoga teacher will be able to give you tailored advice about what exercises are appropriate. But you need a physio, osteopath or chiropractor to advise before doing lots of exercises on your own.

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