27 weeks and in constant pain!

[Stardust127]

Morning all

This is part vent/part looking for advice.

I’m 27+5 weeks and I am in so much pain, almost always. If I do anything, it hurts my tummy. It feels like it’s being squeezed VERY tightly. It’s like a feeling of constant constipation (I’m not constipated at all). I have a 18 month old toddler who I’m with all day out at playgroups etc so my day involves a lot of moving around and bending down which is unavoidable. I rest in the evenings when my husband has finished work. I rest as much as possible.

I’ve been referred to and seen a physio who was brilliant and given me exercises to do for my back pain but in relation to the PGP it just seems to be ‘normal’ I’m sorry but how can being in constant pain be ‘normal’. I’m absolutely miserable and I’ve also been referred to perinatal psychology as a result, which I requested. It has 100% put me off having more children after this. I just feel so angry all the time because of the pain.

Is anyone else feeling this way and if so how do you manage the pain? And the mental toll that comes with it?

Thank you for reading x

I had PGP from 20 weeks and was in constant pain with my hips and back.
In later stages of pregnancy i couldnt walk.

I spoke to the GP who prescribed me cocodamol and i had a pregnancy belt, ball and pillow.

I had to sleep sat up in bed at night because i couldnt sleep on my sides or back or front. So the only way i could have a 'decent' rest was sat up like i was in a chair.

I had to go off work at 34 weeks because i literally could not walk far and then when i got to around 37 weeks i could barely walk to the loo or up to bed because i was heavy and in so much pain constantly. I would spend nights crying because i couldnt leave the house from 35 weeks and i could barely move to get around my house.

Its a horrible thing to live with and i thought i would have to use crutches but i never went back to physio for it.

A midwife recommended hydro therapy.

A pool of some sorts to hold your bump up and take away pressure from hips and back, you dont have to swim, you can just stand there and let the water do its thing.
A bath is shit because you're laying or sitting there rather than standing and letting the water do its thing.

Good luck hopefully it gets better! X

thank you for your reply - I’m so sorry you were in so much pain it sounds awful. You must have been so relieved when your baby was born! Did they induce you due to your lack of mobility and the pain? I’m thinking to ask my midwife at the next appointment if they would induce me because of the pains I’m so worried it will get to the point where I am no longer able to look after my toddler properly or go out with him. We have zero support where we live, it’s just me and my husband. Luckily, he’s an amazing husband and dad and takes as much as he can off of my hands.

I had awful PGP in my last pregnancy too. I wore a pregnancy belt from about 20 weeks. Sat on a pregnancy exercise ball at work most of the day because I couldn't bear the chairs. Hydrotherapy / swimming is great but as soon as you are out of the water the pain starts up again. I often ended up in bed tossing and turning straight after work because the pain was so bad. No advice unfortunately.

Thank you for sharing - honestly it’s nice just having people who can relate to how I’m feeling. I just keep thinking about how much relief it’s going to be once this baby is out 😅

The weight that was lifted off my hips and back when he was born was amazing.
I still have some pain, i woke up this morning and i could barely walk for pain, but once od sat back down again on the bed i was absolutely fine getting back up😅

No they never induced me at all which was what i was hoping for anyway.
They gave me 3 sweeps after 39 weeks and baby was born at 40+4.
It took me half an hour to walk to triage from the car park though because every step i took i had a contraction and i couldnt walk as it was, then i was asked to walk to the labour ward and i told them theres no chance of doing that because i cant walk without pain and or contractions😅
They got me a wheelchair but as soon as i got off the bed i was on and stood up i had a major contraction, they told me to take my time getting into the chair thankfully i didnt feel rushed.
Because of my pgp and how low baby was it put a lot of strain on my hips and in the end i opted for the epidural because i couldnt handle the contractions as well as the pain in my hips.
Once they put the epidural in well i was on my way, they could swing my legs around the room if they wanted to. It was such a relief, not only from labour but from the pain in my hips and back!!

Getting out and walking about for the first time i wanted to cry as it had been 6 weeks since i left the house, got some fresh air and actually used my legs🤣 rather than having to sit down all the time. I ended up getting bed sores from being sat down majority of the time because i couldnt get up and i couldnt walk, standing was horrendous. I couldnt stand at the sink and wash the pots.

I had to sit on my ball and peel potatoes for tea and ask my DP to get me everything else i needed to make some tea!🤣

I know your only 27 weeks but you dont have long to go and it will fly by! X

Oh gosh that all sounds so intense!! I’m absolutely getting an epidural and I don’t get why people would avoid it or think it’s ‘cheating’ or whatever. With my first I didn’t have one (for medical reasons) and god the pain was the worst ever. With my second I had one (they decided I was medically allowed by then) and it was a game changer. I felt the same as what you’re explaining. I did find it difficult when they were telling me to push though. I was literally like … I can’t feel what I’m doing! So they ended up using forceps in the end (his hand was up by his face so he was a little bit stuck!)

thank you, I’m due the beginning of march and I’m just hoping that once Christmas and new year is out the way it will go by quickly. I’m not impressed that I have to go through the longest most awful month of the year while pregnant - January feels like 4 months in 1 as it is already 😂😅

I'm currently 26 weeks and have had severe PGP since 20 weeks which badly affected my sleep, ability to parent and work. I also had it in previous pregnancy but not until 30+ weeks.

Completely empathise with how you're feeling. It's really difficult to live with limited mobility and pain both physically and mentally. I saw a physio who only offered crutches and the exercises weren't helpful so I decided to privately see an osteopath who specialises in PGP/pregnancy. It has been a game-changer for me, he immediately diagnosed problems with my pelvis (damage from previous pregnancy), the manipulations he performs have already corrected the main issue in 4 sessions and he gave me correct postures for sitting, walking, sleeping etc. It has meant that I can keep moving with a huge reduction in pain. If you can afford it I would recommend a specialist osteopath to everyone suffering PGP - unfortunately NHS physios are often generalists so can't help and we shouldn't have to live with constant pain just because we are pregnant!

I have had pgp in this 3rd pregnancy since about 30 weeks-now 37. I never had it in previous pregnancies and just could not believe how painful it is. Sending lots of sympathy your way!

At about 32 weeks, after nearly crying doing the 2 min walk back from the school run, I rang a chiropractor and hands down one of the best things I have ever done. You would need one who is trained to treat pregnant women but honestly - the relief after the first session was unbelievable. I am back to being fairly mobile (or as mobile as you can be at 37 weeks) which is a relief with two others to look after. I'm going once a week to maintain now - but it's definitely worth spending the money if you can as the difference is unbelievable.

She told me to do exercises in between which I think have helped too - squats (when she initially said, I assumed she was joking as I could barely move without pain, but they have definitely helped) and also some walking exercises with long resistance bands. I am particularly finding rolling over in bed very difficult and she said to lead with your arm to give a bit of momentum and use less effort (sort of slinging it over in the direction you want to roll!) and to clench your bum cheeks super tight just before you roll - it has. Also helped!

She also suggested natural anti inflammatory aids like turmeric - I haven't actually given them a go yet but we're I still in the same level of pain I would have.
Good luck!