Bad round ligament pain and pelvic girdle pain?

[Sparksflyxo]

Hi all
I’m 24 weeks and had back pain for a few weeks so midwife referred to physio. Physio did a phone consult and sent me a video with exercises before xmas. Yesterday I had really strong shooting pains on my left side under my bump and constant period cramps. I took Paracetamol which eased the shooting pains but period pains remained. I contact labour ward for advice who recommended I get checked over. They did my bp, heart rate, urine sample and Doppler (baby’s heartbeat 150) all of which appeared normal. They pressed on my hips and back which was painful so felt it was pelvic girdle pain with round ligament pain and recommended paracetamol. I had a bath which helped but was woken up by the shooting pain on my left side again for a few hours as the paracetamol seemed to take a while to work.

I just wondered has anyone experienced anything similar? I didn’t realise found ligament pain could last for so long or that pelvic girdle pain could feel like dull cramps. I’ve been sleeping with a maternity pillow since end of first trimester. I’m thinking of contacting the physio on Monday to see what they recommend.

Its 18 years ago for me but I had a lot of ligament pain that continued throughout the pregnancy and it turned out to be SPD. A TENS machine on my lower back all day/night helped somewhat (more as a distraction from the actual pain I think) and a bump support girdle thing as I got bigger helped too.

Thanks for the tip!

I've been in pain since week 11 and was diagnosed with PGP. In my case there has been also a lot of cramping (like first day of period) on top of the shooting pains, but MW, GP and physio keep saying this is related to PGP as well.
I got physio telephone consultation, got crutches and watched the video and started propping myself up with loads of pillows for the night. I found that it used to help me if I tried sleeping sitting up, until my bump got too big.
After week 27 and another physio consultation (I couldn't manage sleeping anymore), I got a pelvic belt that definitely made a difference when standing and moving about, better than using crutches in the house.
I eventually got codeine for the pain to help me get some sleep, but it's been an absolute nightmare and as mentioned before, MW, GP and physio claim there's nothing else that can be done.
I hope you'll fare better than me, OP.

I had horrendous spd with my twins (3rd pregnancy with it), I was huge too as they were 17lb combined born at 38wks.
I tried to avoid pain killers most of the time, tbh they only took the edge of for a very short time so I just didn't see the point. I managed mine by limiting mobility.
Shorten your walking stride.
Take steps one at a time, lead with least painful hip for that day.
Getting in out of car/bed, sit then swing both legs in out together.
Bed - I slept propped up by many pillows in to a reclined seated position toward the end but still didn't get much more than an hour before being woken by pain.
Don't cross your legs or at ankles when sitting. Try not to sit too long, it may be painful to move around but you need to.
It can linger for months after so you need to work on rebuilding strength after birth.

I have a pretty good pain threshold, I had to keep going last time as my husband broke his leg when I was 26wk (cast off day after birth) and we had 3 kids 2,4&9 that needed looking after. Amazing how you can power through when you need to.

Oh SPD an PGP are the same thing, I don't know why there are two terms for it.

@MForMed there's a lot that can be done for pgp!!! Just not by most practitioners... you need hands on manipulation.

Have a look at the pelvic partnership website. There is a list of recommended practitioners. These aren't the only practitioners, but you need someone with experience of pregnancy. My osteopath isn't on that list, but is trained for dealing with pregnancy.

During my first pregnancy I was fed that same bullshit that nothing could be done. I couldn't walk at 31 weeks, even with crutches.

I'm currently 32 weeks with no 2. I can't walk far, but can still get around a shop or walk upstairs, or get out of bed!!! The difference? I regularly see my osteopath. Every 2-3 weeks.

Honestly, you don't have to suffer like this and shouldn't feel like you have to!!! Please please google pelvic partnership!!

I have PGP and it’s awful. I’ve been doing strengthening pregnancy yoga daily and I think it’s helping. The physio said to do this for 4 weeks and see how it goes. Although I have pain, it feels more manageable now.

Go and see an osteopath if you can. I was in agony with SPD and round ligament pain and after a couple of treatments I regained full movement and all pain has gone. Check the pelvicpartnership website for practitioners near you who specialise in pregnancy.