Quick question about muscle pain in the butt

[nox]

Early on in pg I had some muscle pain in my butt. I have done physio and stretches and it got better ... but now it is really back with a vengeance! I can barely walk. I am using heat packs and trying to stretch ... this in combo w bh and I am not happy. My DD is at the end of the week -- not sure if that makes a difference or not.
Any ideas as to what else to do?
I don't want to be stopped from walking around should labour actually start!

[moocow]

is this muscle pain? could be SPD. you would need ice and not heat packs for this if the area is inflamed. are you doing SPD exercises?

[~Raven~]

sounds like it could be the sciatic nerve

a visit to a physio or a gentle chiropractor could help relieve the pressure if your pelvis being out of alignment is causing it.

[nox]

What is SPD? I am trying some stretches that a physio gave me last time. It is really hard because it is really sore to actually walk on it! I feel a bit stuck but being in bed also hurts.

I have just managed to get a physio app for a remedial massage this afternoon. Hope that it works!

[Jodie259]

Sounds like Sciatic nerve... being pinched from the weight of the baby.

I had a very similar thing (even before I got pregnant). I would be fine one minute, then excrutiating pain the next - sometimes preventing me from walking.

I went to a physio who did a bit of manipulation... and gave me exercises to strengthen and align my core muscles. As soon as I did those exercises it would fix up. After a while I would lapse... and the pain would return.

If you are doing physio exercises and they are not helping - go back to see the physio (or ideally another one). Maybe you're not doing them correctly - or they're not the right exercises for the pain you are currently suffering.

My DD is at the end of the week -- not sure if that makes a difference or not.

your DD is WHAT at the end of the week..... due to birth?????????

If you are pregnant... then the hormones in your body will affect your muscles and nerves too. And the weight from the baby will put a huge pressure on your lower back area.

If you have a child... and you are carrying them around... that will throw your hips. Best to carry your child at the front of your body, rather then on a hip. And if you put them on your hip - swap sides regularly... don't hold them on the one side all the time.

[mrsr]

I was just talking to my masseuse who is in the office at present - it's massage day here at work today. She asked if I'd had any pain recently and I told her about the pain I had from my hip flexors that went around the sides. I have had sciatica prior to being pregnant and have had no issues since she's worked on me. Anyway, she mentioned an easy strengthing exercise. Lie on your side with knees bent and a small cushion between your knees and just open and close your legs, like a clamshell. Lifting the top leg of course, and then bringing it down....it's not meant to be strenuous. It's the gluteus medius (I think that's what she called it) and it's attached to the hip flexors and gluteus maximus. She said the medius is a lazy muscle and doesn't really provide much support unless it's exercised. So I'm going to start doing those to help build up some strength. She said it could help in the later stages of pregnancy with having all of the muscles in that area working together.

[nox]

ARRGGGHHHH! In so much pain!
Thanks for those ideas!
I do some exercises where I sit with one leg bent with the ankle on the opp knee and bend forwards and I have done the clams before ... which are good. Another one I have heard that I am trying is to stand against a wall, legs slightly bent, put your hand in the small of the back and rotate your hips forward and back against your hand. This seems to work a bit too.
At the moment I am also taking arnica spray out of desperation (and chocolate
My massage is at 245 today -- I hope I can waddle to the tram stop!
I think I will take that advice and do some more clams before I leave ...
And yes this baby is due at the end of the week!!! It is our first so I am not carrying another, but thanks Jodie for the advice given that I seem to be prone to this, I will make sure that I carry the baby on the front (and remember that should I do another one!)

[mrsr]

Pity you can't do a crucifix stretch....oh to be able to do those after the birth of my baby. I can't wait. That stretches all out....back and hips.

Hope you're feeling some relief soon nox. Oh, and take MORE chocolate, I hear that really TRULY helps.

[nox]

Well the physio couldn't really help any. He says it is very clear that I am about give birth (aside from the obvious front view, I am assuming!) bc muscles are being pulled everywhere around there. Aside from what I am already doing, he suggests being as comfortable as possible with only short walking spurts and not to try to work through this pain (as there will be other pain to work through shortly). He really thinks that it is pressure from the baby and birth will be the only pain relief (hilarious thought!).
Funny though ... he also gave me a big gift of chocolate! He must agree that choc really is the ONLY cure!

[AnyDream]

Is it hurting because your muscles are cramping (that can be a side effect of increased mobility in your pelvic joints or synthesis pubis dysfunction). If that's the case, as well as your stretches, you might find some relief/release by leaning on a tennis ball against a wall over the sore spot (bit like having someone do a massage for you in the spot you can't reach). You might also get some relief by sitting in the bath/standing under the shower with the hot water and then try your stretches...?

Hope that helps, all the best with your upcoming labour.