Groin pain - Alan??

[kellym]

The last couple of days I've been feeling some bad muscle type pain in my groin. It seriously feels like I've pulled a muscle "down there" but haven't done anything that would make me think I have.

I've started thinking (or I should say hoping) that it's my body getting ready for labour???

Alan, do you know what this might be?? I feel it mostly at night when I'm trying to roll over in bed, it kills but today, I've been feeling it even when I'm walking around. I'm praying it's bubs head moving down lower and getting ready to make an appearance but I don't know if its just wishful thinking. I'm soooo over this and just want to meet our baby!!!

Kelly xxxx

[Ozziehoffy]

Kel, definitely your body getting ready. I had the same thing, but can't think what it was Alan said it was. Man though it hurt to roll over!! I had it for around 4ish days fairly intensely before I had Oskar. Very exciting cos you will be meeting your little bubs soon!!! Best of luck

[Mars]

Hi,

I have this same pain and my EDD was the 5th of May, so I understand you 100%, I just want this to happen.

[Flossie]

I have had this for some weeks now. It could be Symphysis Pubis Diastasis, which is what I have. Its where (and Alan correct me if I am wrong) the joints are all soft due to the Relaxin hormone, but sometimes they soften too much and this is where the pain is caused.

My midwife told me it will stay with me now. I have it really bad today cause I was on my feet all day yesterday. You should sit down when getting dressed, and when you get into the car go bum in first then swing your legs in. Also keep your legs together when chaning sides when sleeping. It is bad when you stand on one leg, putting too much pressure on just the one leg.

Mine is good some days, then bad others. I have got used to it now.

Good luck!

[Flossie]

LOL - should have looked at your due date - tomorrow!!! I don't know what it could be then sorry Good luck with the birth.

[Smoke Jaguar]

I have SPD, too, and I'm seeing an osteo now, after being dissatisfied with the prognosis from physios.
Firstly they said it would go away after the birth, but it came back! Second, and much later in the treatment, I get told that for as long as I am BFing I will have relaxin released in my system, so basically 'live with it' but manage my movements.
Not happy.
So, finally went to the osteo who said that you can actually start managing it during pg (physio's tell you to keep your legs together and wait till after the birth) with exercises. I have been given exercises to do and had my hips but back into alignment.
Mind you, my SPD started before 30 weeks, so your sensations may be due to how close you are to birth. SPD is EARLY loosening of that pelvic joint.
You can also get a brace to keep your hips stabilised.

[ME2006]

I'd be really interested in Alan's reply if he is able to post one. I've been experiencing a very similar feeling, although I guess I would describe it as feeling like I am bruised 'down there' but my due date is about 2&1/2 weeks away still. I am also with you 100% - I just want to have this baby.

[Ozziehoffy]

I guess I would describe it as feeling like I am bruised 'down there' but my due date is about 2&1/2 weeks away still. I am also with you 100% - I just want to have this baby.

That's a great way of describing it. That's pretty much how I felt...like I'd been kicked and was all bruised. It went away pretty fast after his birth for the most part, I have a little every now and then if I am too energetic getting out of bed or something cos I think it does take a little while for everything to properly go back to "normal".

[Smoke Jaguar]

It's the ligament loosening, not the muscle, which is why it is important not to overstretch - keep legs together as if you're wearing a mini-skirt with no knickers, is what I was told. It works if you remember that. Keep weight evenly distributed, don't carry heavy loads. It is important not to overstretch because ligaments don't stretch and come back like muscles do, and the relaxin is making those important ligaments quite loose in preparation for the birth, where the ligaments will pull the pelvis wide to allow the baby through.
Feeling this close to the birth is normal. Feeling it weeks before you are officially term is SPD, where it has loosened too early. If you are in the latter category, see an osteo (physios will tell you there's nothing you can do except wear a brace and keep your legs together, but an osteo will give you a better treatment that will prevent your back muscles from tightening (thus, shortening, thus leading to lower back pain) as they compensate for the extra movement in that area), as soon as you can. It just makes the last bit of your pg unbearable at times.
For me, it felt like someone took to my pelvis with a sledgehammer, from underneath. Another way to describe it is like landing astride a big rock from a great height!
If it's not that severe and you are officially term (within 2 weeks either side of due date), then it's likely to be a short term affliction.
If you are BFing, and you have SPD, prepare for it to revisit later on!
I just decided that I was not prepared to be told "it goes with the territory" and to just, essentially, suck it up. I did lots of research and then got a second opinion. There may not be much you can do about the relaxin in your system, but there are effective management strategies that not all physios know about. If you DO prefer to see a physio over an osteo, then please, please get one that specialises in women's health (usually attached to hospitals).
I may not be a midwife, but it's something I have a clue about from having been exactly there in my last trimester and back again purely because I'm BFing still.

[lee75]

I have been getting this for the past week or so, kills when I get up of the lounge or the bed and when moving in bed!! Is 35+ weeks to early or normal?

[lee75]

Sorry that should be 36+ weeks

[kellym]

Thanks so much for all your responses - particularly IK - it's great to know that its not just me or something I've done!!!

I've only just started getting it over the last week and I'm due on Thursday, so I guess it's fairly normal and should go away after bubs is born?? Thankfully!!! I feel for those of you who have got it so early, it's quite painful and just so damn annoying!!

Well, it has given me hope that this little one is going to make an entrance into the world soon. I have an OB appointment tomorrow, so I'm hoping for some good news and that he can get things started!!! I'll mention this pain to him aswell and let you know what he says!!

Thanks girls.

Kelly xxx

[Alan]

Hi Girls
The pain you are feeling is caused by relaxin with a little help from progesterone. This hormone causes all your ligaments and joints to loosen in preparation for birth. Unfortunately you have a joint in the centre of your pubic bone. Normally this joint is fixed and does not move. But under the influence of these hormones it can become loose. When this happens if you move in certain positions or quickly the ends of the bone rub against each other. If tis happens the pain can be as bad as arthritis or even a broken bone.

[kellym]

Thanks Alan - Hmm, doesn't sound all that good!! I think I'm clutching at straws but is there any chance that it means labour is just around the corner?? I'm praying its an indicator that things might happen in the next couple of days!!!???

Thanks.

Kelly xxx

[Alan]

Sorry Kelly
Labour could still be a couple of weeks away. But there again it could start tomorrow. This is no indication of when labour will start

[Beach Mama]

Hey Kelly, Im with you and I agree! IK thanks for the info - sledgehammer describes it perfectly - and I have to say - maybe sitting on my fitball with legs apart probably isnt helping either? Mmmmm pity it doesnt mean these cheeky ones arent going to make an appearance soon!

[Smoke Jaguar]

Kellym, cease legs wide apart, argh! It hurts just reading that LOL! When getting in and out of the car, try to swing both legs out together and planting the feet together on the ground before getting out; to get in, sit your bum down first, then swing legs in - none of the usual 'one foot in, sit down, next leg in'...cos you''ll feel that!
Good luck girls, I hope you all have wonderful births!