What can we do if mum-to-be (37wks) is in lots of pain

[dad0770]

As the subject says.

My fiancee is 37weeks pregnant, second time around (so we have an idea of what to expect). She's got pelvic girdle pain, tilted womb (so more pain in lower back), only 13mm water (just over 10mm minimum) and baby is measuring long/tall so there's very little space in there for him.

Every 6 hours or so, her pain jumps to 11. She can't stand up straight. She can't relieve herself without crying. She can't climb stairs without help. I'm there at every step to help and support but let's face it, there ain't much I can do but be there for her.

She takes paracetamol when the pain occurs but by the time it does anything, the pain is already gone. She thinks the midwives will just keep telling her to take pain relief and effectively suck it up so she doesn't badger them for further advice.

Is there really nothing else that can be done until all the normal signs of labour (or something more serious) start happening?

Has she tried a tens machine and has she been seen by a physio?

See a private physio. She doesn't need to continue suffering. Paracetamol won't touch PGP, no pain relief will. If it isn't dealt with this can cause her problems for a very long time after birth, believe me, my DS is 14 and I still have problems.

Physio, yes with standard exercises to build resistance to pelvic pain. TENS, advised not to have, due to various reasons.

I should have said, there are PGP symptoms but the pain is mostly unrelated to that. It's more lower back pain (likely from tilted womb/large frontal belly) and baby moving in and out of her pelvis.

Poor thing. Has she got a birthing ball? It may feel better for her to rest on that, or lean over it?

It's awful, but it won't be forever.

For the pelvic girdle instability she could try a pelvic girdle which can be prescribed. Its like a big lycra belt. You can get them on amazon if youre desperate. I sympathise its like being stabbed.

Call your maternity unit triage and explain her pain is so severe it’s affecting her mobility.

Yup, she kinda switches from her setup on the sofa with 10 cushions keeping her upright to the birthing ball, bouncing away :)

I just hate seeing her suffer :(

www.amazon.co.uk/Maternity-Pregnancy-Lumbar-Support-Waist/dp/B094274GWQ/ref=sr_1_6?crid=1UKEM8WFSQAOO&keywords=pregnancy+support+belt+pelvic+pain&qid=1659039224&sprefix=pelvic+belt+support+for+pr%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-6

Yes, I agree! My physio friend suggested using my dressing gown belt as a substitute until my pg belt could be delivered. Might help a little?

I had a long baby sling that I tied around my belly and hips to help with the pain. It did make a difference so would second the girdle or some kind of support.

An osteopath who's experienced with expectant mums can also work a little magic here, help loosen and realign and get the pelvis more comfortable and ready for birth. I only saw one twice but it made SUCH a difference

If she changes up what she's doing on the birthing ball it may help a tiny bit - I heard that bouncing means that baby is bouncing on your cervix, if you roll round in circles or back and forth it opens your pelvis. I'm not sure if this will help specifically with her pain but may be a small bit of relief.

At 37 weeks she's full term and can request an induction.

Is the baby moving normally? I don’t want to worry you unduly but I had a placental abruption with no bleeding to give it away, only pain.

The girdle will help, you can also try crutches. I saw a chiropractor who realigned my pelvis every 2 weeks. I was induced at 39 weeks because I was desperate and couldn't face going overdue. Tell the midwife how bad the pain is. They can't do anything Iif they don't know!

I had this exactly in my last pregnancy…pgp all in my back and I’ve also a tilted womb, I couldn’t walk, ended up on cructhes from 33weeks had physio, hydrotherapy sessions in pool, pain relief, pregnancy band, nothing seemed to do much help until the baby was out. Can say post pregnancy it got better but I do still get lower back pain and have seen osteopath for it….currently pregnant again and worried I’ll end up in a wheelchair this time 🙈 would recommend speaking to midwife and letting them know how bad it’s affecting her they might be able to plan for an earlier birth xx

She needs mctimoney chiropractic. It’s an exceptionally helpful technique and they are specifically trained for spd. I went whenever I had spd pain in pregnancy, had one treatment and walked out again pain free. I am surprised more midwifes don’t tell people about it. They also treat newborns/infants.

Is she doing too much for your older child? Would she feel better on near enough bed rest for the next couple of weeks?

How long has this most intense back pain been going on? Is there any chance its extreme braxton hicks? I had awful braxton hicks with my second for maybe 10 days on and off, but then a very quick and easy labour 🤞🏻🤞🏻

Poor her. It is awful. Have a look at the pelvic partnership website. They have some advice. She may be able to take different painkillers.

I found this tubagrip helped more than a pelvic girdle, easiGRIP Torso Tubular Bandage Size K 1m. Similar to Tubigrip K. UK Made amzn.eu/dZR70kI . The pelvic girdle helped for a couple of days but then it just started hurting in a different place. The tubagrip goes over your bump / hips as 3 layers, and gives a little bit of extra support everywhere.

Otherwise, if she has lower back pain does massaging some of the trigger points helps a little bit, as do heat / ice packs. I did find seeing a chiropractor helped but only when it was the right one - I saw a substitute once because mine was on holiday who did slightly different things and it didn't really help.

Omg I was going to write a post similar today about this but chickened out.

i don’t think I’m quite as severe as your poor wife, but if she’s feeling anything like I am (sounds like more) it must be unbearable, utter sympathies for her!

she needs to get onto the midwives and be honest about how it’s effecting her day to day, 2 of my friends were induced due to the severity of their PGP.

im 32 weeks and getting worse by the week (though mine is pretty much all pubic bone pain) and desperately don’t want an induction. Midwives suggested accuppuncture is good but short term relief only - days!

i hope she gets some relief soon