Hip pain/pelvic girdle pain

[Anonymum30]

Hi, my hip pain is stopping me sleeping properly due to the pressure from laying on my side. Does anyone have any particular recommendations for mattress toppers? My existing mattress is relatively new and supportive but wondered whether some memory foam might make a difference.

This is my second pregnancy and I also experienced this with my first; have read all the info and trying to be proactive about managing it. Got referred to a group physio information session last time which was ok but obviously didn't make tonnes of difference. Does anyone have any experiences or advice they can offer?

Thanks!

Stop sleeping on your side. At the back end of my twin pregnancy (complete with spd/pgp & terrible heartburn) the only way I could sleep at all was to use many pillows so that I was in a reclined seated position. It was a bit weird as I'm normally a side sleeper.

I have been experiencing the same - this time it started earlier than my first pregnancy. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to walk by the time I’m full term!

I have had private physio and it’s been great. The physio has given me exercises to do, a back massage (I was also suffering lower back pain where I was walking differently to counter my PGP) and I see her again next week when she is going to help me with a belt I brought last pregnancy but didn’t get on with!

If you can, I would highly recommend going to see someone. I was a little sceptical as I also did the group NHS referral in my last pregnancy and it was a bit rubbish. This was 100% better and has really helped with the pain!

Also I was surprised I was offered face to face (some were only doing virtual sessions but given I knew the problem, I didn’t think this would help) so I had to call around a few people but eventually found someone.

I had PGP in my previous pregnancy and did not find my midwife particularly helpful. I'm pregnant again and I'm having private physio this time - it's made a massive difference.

I would ask your GP for a physio referral. It can take a while so it's best to get the ball rolling asap. I had to jump through many hoops to finally see an actual physio six weeks after I asked to be referred. I was classed as a priority referral, my pelvic pain has been horrendous and often excruciating. I would push for face to face appointments if you can, as the physio needs to assess you properly, and they can give massages if appropriate.

I would agree to get referred for treatment. I had real problems with DCs 2-4, could hardly walk from an earlier stage each pregnancy.
Got told each time that it would go away once I delivered.

DC4 is now 5YO and I still have problems.

Also make sure you rest as much as possible with your feet up. Easier said than done, I know, but you really need to take care of yourself.

Best of luck.

The pelvicpartnership have lots of good info about pgp on their website. They also have a list of recommended practitioners. I saw one of them when I was pregnant with DD2 and it really helped.

You have prob tired it but simple things like pillow between ur knees to ur ankles, I use a big u shaped pillow so can easily swap sides in the night. Or like other pp said try sleeping in an upright position even just for a few nights to give ur hips a rest and a referral to physio x

Thanks for all your messages, really helpful advice. Will push for a physio referral. Like a few of you it has started earlier in this pregnancy than my previous one and a bit concerned about how it's going to progress, I'm a full time SAHM looking after my nearly three year old, my partner works long hours and we have no childcare because of COVID so really need to manage this the best I can

My PGP started in week 15 of my pregnancy. My midwife told me it was too early for PGP, so I did have to push to get it taken seriously. The pain is awful.

I think a physio referral will be most helpful for PGP, but there are a few changes you can make while you wait. A pillow between the knees helps a bit in bed, and make sure you don't sit with your legs tucked up on the sofa, or cross your legs. I use a footstool and have my legs up when sitting down. Heat may also help. I use an electric heat pad which offers very limited relief, but it's something at least. When you are standing, make sure your weight is on both legs. Try not to do anything one legged, so sit down to put trousers on, etc.

I found that my pain changed as well. For the first few weeks it was only in my lower back, then the pain began to radiate down my thighs as well, and then I also started getting pain in my groin. Your GP may be able to prescribe some stronger pain medication, so I think it's worth explaining your situation to them. There are pain medications that you can take during pregnancy.

@PearMice

The pelvicpartnership have lots of good info about pgp on their website. They also have a list of recommended practitioners. I saw one of them when I was pregnant with DD2 and it really helped.

I second this. I found an osteo on the PelvicPartnership website and within one treatment I went from crying in bed in excruciating pain to moving pretty much pain free. I would always recommend an osteo over a physio - for something like this osteos can make a difference with one or two treatments whereas a physio will tend to need a course of about 10 sessions to even start to make the same impact.

Thanks for your posts, having a chat with my midwife this afternoon so hopefully that will be helpful too!