Don't do hot baths. Get an ice pack and use it every two hours for 20 mins at a time until the pain lessens. Then use it between 1-3 times per day. Avoid walking, bending, lifting. Get a special belt.
I am now in the tailend of my pregnancy and was told at 7 weeks I would be in a wheelchair very soon. I'm now in less pain than I was 12 months post-natally last time because I'm managing it properly. I can only walk 50 metres so have to use a wheelchair for further than that and am consequently pretty much housebound BUT I CAN still walk around the house only because I do ALL the things I mentioned in that first paragraph. For me, icing and rest have been the keys. I was doing clinical pilates up to twice weekly too but have found this is not as vital as the icing and resting. In bed, put a pillow between your knees - honestly, it sounds so simple but it really works.
No worries, I can't emphasise icing enough. I used it about five times in total in my last pregnancy convinced that it didn't make any difference. That was only because the pain had gotten so bad that one lots of ice wasn't going to make any difference. Whereas in this pregnancy, if I've overdone it (we've just moved house so you can imagine how much bending to unpack boxes I've been doing) then I just whack icepacks on and lie down once DD is in bed for three hours straight (changing them when they've cooled down). Then I'm as good as new in the morning.
So please, please, please, keep icing until you feel the pain subside. It may take more than one or two to feel a difference BUT once the pain subsides you'll only need to do it 1-3 times per day after that (unless you've overdone the walking, bending, lifting).
The belt's also absolutely essential for me. Without that, I'm in pain after a few steps (apparently my joints are hypermobile).
Night time panadeine forte. Just enough to take the edge off the pain but still keep functional. Pilates moves to stabilise the core and make sure you stabilise your core muscles before EVERY movement. No lifting is impossible the toddlers - in the same boat there unfortunately but stabilise everything before you lift them. Leave the stuff on the floor. Lie down or stand - it is less painful for me than sitting which increases my pain. I have had to reach the point where self preservation is the key. No grocery shopping - the trolley is a killer.
Trying to get the little ones settled now which only increases the time I am up and the duration of the pain. No down time to rest it either but I lie on the lounge as much as possible.
Reply With Quote
which only increases the time I am up and the duration of the pain. No down time to rest it either but I lie on the lounge as much as possible.
Bookmarks