Pelvic girdle pain, nearly 22 weeks

[MrsEB]

I have hypermobility so suffered a bit with my hips before been pregnant but over the last month or so it's been getting a lot worse. Most days my hips, pelvis, groin and things are killing. I've been diagnosed with pelvic girdle pain and sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Has anyone got on any advice at all? How long did people carry on working for etc? I'm starting to struggle with work etc so I'm really worried about the rest of the pregnancy as I have 18 weeks left. Thank you in advance xxxx

 

[Phexia]

I also have hypermobility and my SI-join is specially bad, it always hurts. I stopped working half way along because the pain kept getting worse. Acupuncture helps a bit, and a maternity slide sheet + pillow between the legs at night is a must. If you have trouble walking I'd get crutches so you don't fall, and the main thing is to take it easy. No hoovering

Other than that, I really don't know anything that helps. PGP can be quite miserable but in most cases it goes away after birth.

 

[AnonymousCAT]

Try an sacroiliac joint belt and seeing a physio/physical therapist to strengthen your pelvic floor and core. Make sure the belt is put on correctly or it won't work. I'm a physio and have treated people with this to the point they didn't need to wear the belt while pregnant anymore and no longer had pain.

 

[MrsEB]

Thank you very much for the advice girls. I've been to a physio and I'm having a belt fitted on Tuesday so I'm hoping this will do the trick or at least stop it getting any worse. I'm worrying about work, want to carry on as long as possible xxx

 

[AnonymousCAT]

Good luck! Hope it does the trick for you. Keep us posted. Just make sure you follow through with the strengthening they give you too because that's what will help to fix the problem. It takes 6 weeks to have a functional change in strength so you have to keep with it awhile before you might notice a change.

 

[Abby21]

I got the serola belt as recommended by physio and it seems to help a lot...though I had to buy myself as not funded by nhs. Still in pain but manageable now compared to about 6 weeks ago!

Anonymous....wat do u do re physio when u treating ladies out of interest? My physio doesnt do much hands in or anything. ..just asks re my pain level and writes it down in notes really!!!

 

[Abby21]

Oh Mrs EB mine started at 18 weeks so had it long time...sleeping for me is struggle....lie on side with loads of pillows and One between legs. Also love my gym ball for sitting and doing stretches etc. Hope that helps x

 

[MrsEB]

Thanks girls. I've got a pregnancy pillow I'm using between my legs and your right that definitely helps, still get that horrible burning ache but would be so much worse with out it. Hoping it doesn't get any worse, I've heard people can end up on crutches with it. It's hard work pregnancy isn't it, at least we have our beautiful babies to look forward to xxx

 

[AnonymousCAT]

I got the serola belt as recommended by physio and it seems to help a lot...though I had to buy myself as not funded by nhs. Still in pain but manageable now compared to about 6 weeks ago!

Anonymous....wat do u do re physio when u treating ladies out of interest? My physio doesnt do much hands in or anything. ..just asks re my pain level and writes it down in notes really!!!

Glad to hear the belt is helping, but sad to hear they aren't doing anything else. They should be teaching you transverse abdominis strengthening and pelvic floor strengthening while your wearing the belt to tighten up the structures in the pelvis that are too loose and causing the pain. Once these muscles get stronger they will start to do the job of the belt and you will be able to get by wearing it less and less. If the physio is not doing this and the problem is sacroiliac joint instability, I would see someone else as the belt is not the total solution. That being said, things should tighten up again after delivery as the hormones won't be acting to keep things so loose. But you may have a predisposition to it happening again with future pregnancies. Plus, learning to strengthen your pelvic floor and transverse abdominis are just good practice for any pregnant woman as it can help get abdominal tone back, prevent low back pain and stress incontinence. Which are all bonuses in my opinion.

 

[lillylollypop]

I was in a really bad car accident a few years back that shifted my hips, one leg is longer now and it altered my gait. I also have scoliosis which naturally pulls my left hip in. I got PGP around 18 weeks. I'm on my feet alot so I needed to get it in order.

1. Stretch every morning before getting out of bed. Pelvic rotations and thrusts, lower back and upper back and then legs.

2. Stretch more once out of bed.

3. Keep moving around, I found sitting too long makes it worse. Of course rest the hip, but too much resting is bad too.

4. Massage the area, lower back, hips ect.

5. Sleep with a pillow between your legs so your hip and legs are level.

6. Epsom bath soaks.....They are the best!

Of course everyone is different, but these seemed to help me the best. Good luck! GPG is not fun! Being painful isn't fun.