Pregnancy & Hypermobility

[Deutschette]

Evening, all!

I was wondering if anyone has had experience with pregnancy and hypermobility? Did you have horrible pains, did you show sooner? If you've given birth, did your child inherit your hypermobility?

For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, hypermobility is basically a condition that makes you more flexible than "normal." It CAN be painful, but for some, it's not painful at all.

I think it would be good to have a collection of information here as a thread for hypermobile women who are pregnant and have worries. Share your thoughts!

 

[dannyboygirl]

Sorry no hypermobility herehope someone else can help..

 

[MissFox]

I have hyper-mobility!!! This is my first pregnancy though and I'm just thinking that it's going to enhance the pain that I get in my back and probably make my knees more sore. I've been getting pain in my tailbone region- I was wondering if it had something to do with that.
Hopefully someone on here has been through pregnancy with this and can shed some light on what the rest of this pregnancy holds- and what labor was like for them.

 

[2016]

I have hypermobility and started noticing strange things happening from about 8 weeks! My knee caved in a few times while I was just walking normally and I crashed to the ground! Also dislocated my fingers gripping onto something suddenly which would never normally happen! My back and pelvis started hurting early on but I was told it was all 'normal aches and pains'. Then around 16 weeks I found I was in so much pain I couldn't walk! Was in bed for two days in intense pain. Went to doc and they said it was Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction. It was only THEN did they tell me I was hypermobile - had never heard of it before...just thought I was double-jointed/flexible.
I have been for physio and that has really helped. Also was sent for regular scans to check my cervix because of the hypermobility but also my mum has a history of incompetant cervix and I have had surgery on my cervix in the past.
They reckon many hypermobile women deliver early - but that remains to be seen!

I definitely didn't show any earlier and still feel like I am hardly showing!

If you know/suspect you are hypermobile I would mention it to your midwife. You can also self-refer in the uk to maternity physio but the waiting lists for an appointment are 8 weeks so get in there now. In the meantime I would look up SPD and try do everything you can to protect your pelvis now - especially LOADS of pelvic floor exercises and no major separating of your legs and as little impact eg. Running as possible. I had to give up horseriding obv. I have also been told my pelvic issue will mean normal birth using stirrups is unlikely and water birth is my best bet.

Of course, some hypermobile women have no problems whatsoever. Good to be aware if it though. All the best. Xx

 

[sophxx]

i have hypermobilty in my hips really bad amd other joints

i diud get a bad back but accupuncture cleared that up and my hands were also sore i found i suffered more after birth for ages i felt i had no core muscles like everything was jelly
i suggest taking a tummy holder vest in with you for after the baby
you can also buy a vest from nct which supports your back and holds your bump i found it fab for me really helped the aches and piains x

 

[MissFox]

It's good to hear from other women who have gone through this.

 

[MissFox]

Found an old thread on here
https://www.babyandbump.com/pregnancy-club/172666-hypermobility.html

 

[Deutschette]

Thanks for the link, MissFox!

My hypermobility gives me a few problems every now and then, but thankfully, I've got a high pain tolerance. Most of the time, it's just a dull ache. However, combined with high-arched feet, I'm fairly clumsy most of the time.

I worry about our child having this gene passed on -- having to watch over a kid will already be stressful enough once s/he starts walking, but if they're as clumsy as mama, I'm in for a lot of stress-filled days.

 

[MissFox]

I feel ya there! I'm so clumsy- probably has something to do with one of my knees overextending 4 inches more than the other.
I usually just have an achy back. Told not to do video yoga as I can get into some of the positions very easily but they aren't necessarily good for me.