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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

How much pelvic pain is normal?

15 replies

skiingmummy · 04/11/2004 13:30

At 12wks to go the pain in my pelvis and at the base of my spine is getting worse. Getting up after being sat down for a while brings tears to my eyes and I end up shuffling along as if I've got a melon between my thighs. (I don't in case you're wondering!) Just wondered if this was normal for 2nd pregnancies? I mentioned it to the midwife at my last checkup (5wks ago) and she just said it was coz everything had been stretched before.

Does this mean its just going to keep getting worse till the baby comes out? OMG - does this mean after I give birth this time my pelvis will never go back to normal?! I can't sit with my legs closed now so that'll def mean an end to skirts shorter than ankle length!

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Momof2 · 04/11/2004 13:40

Hi SM

Is the pain causing you to limp? Only I am suffering from the same sort of thing - after I get up from having sat down it hurts to walk on my right leg and in over compensating for the pain I am hurting my knee too. My midwife has referred my to the physio although she says this could take time so she suggested finding a chiropracter who may be able to help. She too said it was everything stretching but the pain is absolute agony and only in my right side.
This is also my second pregnancy.
I also wonder if this is ever going to go away or if this is it for life now!!!

sievehead · 04/11/2004 13:47

I remember general pains down there being worse with second pregnancy. Is it a sciatica type pain (ie. shooting down one side)? If it is, perhaps baby is sitting on a nerve. I would go back to see someone to get it checked out. Sounds very uncomfortable. HOpe it gets better.

RosiePosie · 04/11/2004 13:48

Hi, I'm more of a lurker on mumsnet, but thought I'd post on this one. It sounds like you both may be suffering from something called SPD ( symphisis pubis disfunction ) which is not uncommon , but is not just the normal aches and pains of pregnancy. You can be referred to a physiotherapist, wear a support brace, some women suffer so badly they are wheelchair bound, or use crutches. There is a support group for it, don't know the website addy, sorry, but if you google it I'm sure it will come up. I suffered moderately in my second pregnancy, but it cleared up almost straight away after the birth. I went from being unable to walk further than 10 metres, to doing all the things I could before in the space of a couple of days. I should explain, SPD is where the pubic bone seperates ( which is does during labour to help the baby out ) too early in pregnancy. . .it's hormonal. Hopefully someone will come along who can clarify and expand on what I've said

RosiePosie · 04/11/2004 13:52

Website addy is www.spd-uk.org/

zephyrcat · 04/11/2004 13:56

Hiya - I had spd with my last pregnancy and only discovered through a magazine article. When I told the doctor that I thought I had it he just looked blank and pretty much said he'd never heard of it/ it didnt exist. I had to go to the midwife about it and she then got me an appointment at the hospital physio dpt who gave me a big elastic support belt to wear - felt stupid but it made a huge difference!! It's called a fembrace, see if you can request one

Original poster

skiingmummy · 04/11/2004 14:07

Thanks for the link RP. Have had a look and it seems to be describing the pain I have exactly although its not bad enough (thank god) to stop me walking. I'll definitely mention it to the midwife again when I see her on Monday. Thanks.

OP posts:

otto · 04/11/2004 14:47

I had similar pain and mentioned it to my midwife who said it was ligaments stretching! It got worse and worse so I went to the GP who too had suffered in this way and told me it was SPD. She recommended an osteopath which I had to pay for, but I started to feel better straightaway and felt much better within a week. I think osteopathy is only effective in less severe cases though.

Hausfrau · 04/11/2004 14:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

motherinferior · 04/11/2004 15:11

I think I wrote that article - I'm so glad it was useful. I can email it to anyone who would like a copy (I picked so many MNers brains for it I feel I have to scatter it around like confetti!).

creamegg · 25/09/2006 14:59

Hi all,
I am 6 and a half months gone, and have developed SPD which has made me quite low. I can only shuffle short distances and it's come just at the time when I want to be rushing around getting stuff ready for the baby. Thought I'd share a couple of things that have helped: Mothercare support pants. £8 a pair and the most enormous monstrosities you've ever seen, but they lift the bump slightly without feeling too restrictive to the baby's movements. Also, I went to see a pilates expert who taught me a bit about posture - it's crucial to strengthen the pelvic floor so that it can lift the weight off your pelvic ligaments more.
Really hope it doesn't get any worse than this though!

lulumama · 25/09/2006 18:15

just heard of a good tip for spd - instead of girdles , support things, get a long cotton scarf or piece of material and wrap tightly under bump like a belt - supports you and holds pelvis together and looks bit more fashionable - if you got funky material ! not sure if it would work with a really severe case of SPD . worth a try? could always do this at home and have proper support when out....

millysimmons · 25/09/2006 18:25

SM
How did you get on with the mw today? Did she say it was SPD? I'v had it bad & would reccomend you contacting the pelvicpartnership.org.uk. You can download info & get if you want some advice they are great to have a chat with & can recommend people in your area to help.
Also & most importantly rest as much as possible. Let me know if you have anymore info.

luckymummy2Sophie · 25/09/2006 19:36

Hi all you poor SPD sufferers!! I not only suffered from it myself when I was pregnant, but I also happen to be....ta dah... a physiotherapist!!
Yes, it is horrible. As Rosieposie said, it is a seperation of the two pubic bones which basically can be felt right under where your pubes are. The pain can radiate to lower abdomen too. It's all caused by lax ligaments due to hormonal changes. It's awful, I had it quite badly, ended up finishing work at 32 wks instead of planned 35 wks, cos I literally could hardly walk. One day I had to borrow some crutches from work to walk to the car park. I have also treated several patients who had severe SPD, some of whom ended up in wheelchairs (not long term) and I was petrified this would happen to me.

My advice is...

look after yourself, don't do too much incl housework, working etc.
swim but NOT breast stroke!
sleep with pillow between knees, lying on side
do gentle lower abdominal 'tightening' exercises (imagine pulling your bump in towards your spine)
sit rather than stand, lie rather than sit
don't stand with weight more on one leg than other

7.buy a support belt, or get one from physio, I couldn't walk without mine.

pelvic floor ex's REALLY will make a difference, if not now, after birth. My SPD cleared up by 95% 2 weeks after birth...amazing

Try and get referred to physio, you shouldn't have to wait long if your GP makes it clear how many weeks you are and that you just require advice and a support belt. We do prioritise referrals so don't let them fobb you off saying it's a long waiting list!! (as they often do).

Finally (sorry for going on but I hope it helps some of you) IT WILL GET BETTER!!!! ONce that little baby comes out, things will clear up, but do do your pelvic floor ex's. Any questions??!

BettySpaghetti · 25/09/2006 19:52

I had it too during my second pregnancy. I found the support belt thing didn't really help but crutches did.

Also found:
-sitting on an exercise ball was really comfortable in the later stages of pregnancy
-sit on a bin bag in the car as it makes it easier to get in and out as you slide round (keeping knees together)
-rest as much as you can
-after you have the baby Pilates may help. I did it about 9m after DS was born and it sorted out the lingering aches and pains.

On a positive note I may have hobbled into the delivery room on crutches but literally skipped out without them hours later. The instant relief was amazing.

suis · 26/09/2006 04:20

Hi all,

I not much of a one for posting, but this thread has been v helpful to me. I'm only just 20 weeks but I have been experiencing pretty bad pelvic pain for a couple weeks already... (hence why I am up on the internet at this time of night)

My pain is mostly in my lower back and into my left buttock, and comes on after being up and about for a few hours each day. But I've also got intermittent sharp pains round the lower left of my bump. I am usually confined to the couch after about 4pm each day, and am having real trouble sleeping (made worse by persisent restless leg)

My GP treated me for a UTI, which it turned out I didn't have, and has told me it's ligament pain that should pass. I am also seeing an osteopath at enmormous expense who says similar, but thinks it's also SPD related.

I feel pretty cheated. I'm not sure what exactly I expected from a first pregnancy, but being laid up in pain every day wasn't it. I keep reading really irritating books and articles telling me I should be "blooming" and "feeling full of energy" just now. In actual fact I am exhausted, sore, weepy and feeling gross.

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