Hip/pelvic pain, already!?

Omg! I'm 17w1d, and I'm beginning to waddle. My hips ache a lot, and I've got that pressure and ache in my lower abdo and vagina area. I didn't get this with DD until she had engaged (26w). My uterus feels terribly heavy, I'm carrying low, I think I need a support belt. I had pretty bad muscle separation last time, none yet this time. I'm also finding it hard to lift my legs (to put on pants for example) which, by then end with DD was impossible, DH had to put my shoes and pants on me. Any advice? I saw a physio with DD which I found next to useless.

Oh it sucks doesn't it. I had pain - worse and earlier - with 2nd bub too. Osteo helped with my other aches and pains but said that there was little she could do for my pelvis. Said it was up to me to keep pelvic floor and core muscles engaged as much as possible, to tuck in my tailbone and avoid inflaming it through wide-leg stances, squatting, too much walking etc. I wore a support belt from about 18 weeks and found this a lot of help. Also reminded to to restrict my movement.

What sort of support belt did you have hun? I'm trying hard not to run around too much, but with a 12 month old who isn't walking yet, it's very hard not to lift her.

I had SJD with DS2 as a result of muscle separation from DS1. Not sure if this is what you have. It was incredibly painful. I had a belt and tubigrip.
Physio was great for SJD. Taught me exercises. Also showed me what to do and what not to do to help. Like the best way to get in and out of the car etc.
If you have SJD then physio is brilliant IMO.

I just used one that I'd bought from the chemist the support a lower back injury years before... just strapped it low around my hips instead! It's basically just a wide belt of wet-suit material with Velcro straps to do it up. Not the sexiest bit of attire, but I just wore lots of long tshirts!

Oh I feel your pain poor love! With my last pg I bit the bullet and bought 'SRC pregnancy support pants' they seriously made a big difference, totally sexy too.... Lol not! I remember there were some 2nd hand on ebay/gumtree when I got mine (but always to big) so u may find a bargain otherwise if u think u may have another after or can sell again I'd say definitely worth the money. Hth.

Oh I feel your pain. See the hospital physio - the ones at the angliss were brilliant. Spj sux, by about 32 weeks I had to plan my day around toilet breaks. Instead of begging my doc to let me work until 38 weeks, I was counting down the hours until mat leave.

Acupuncture was the best pain relief. Good luck.

sent from the Hellmouth.

Know the feeling, Pumpkin. I had horrible pain from SPD from about 14 weeks, it's like everything just...gave out! Now my hips just ache all night (I'm almost 24 wks); I find it worse when bubby's head is engaged. I've been told not to sleep on my back and sleeping on my side just hurts so much. Osteo and swimming pools and specialists just aren't an option for me because I live about 8 hours from capital city, but a pillow between the knees and under the bump has helped a bit, as well as a support belt for short periods of time. It's definitely worse when I've been sitting in one position for a long time (like in the car) so getting up and moving about helps, maintaining a correct posture, etc, helps, too.

Good luck, I hope it gets better soon!

My discomfort got earlier and earlier with every pregnancy :(

I made love to my hot wheat pack 24hrs a day!

Hi PZ,
It sounds like u could do with a new physio. I'd recommend 'fit to deliver' for physios that specialize in pregnancy and pregnancy Pilates.they are in Brighton and malvern :-)

I used a tubey grip bandage around my hips and belly which really helped, and also crutches which take the weight and pressure off the hips. Even just for around the house I found them immensely helpful. I also visited the chiro until 20 weeks when I moved to Scotland and started seeing a physio. TBH the chiro was more helpful but any professional who specialises in this sort of pain will be able to help you find some relief. Sleep with a pillow between your knees to stabilise your hips and try to keep your knees together for getting in and out the car/bed. Avoid stairs and steep hills or ramps, if you can take a lift or an escalator then do. Please also take my hugest sympathies, I have suffered so much from SPD that I was housebound at times or had to use a wheelchair. It does get better once Kiefey is born.

I'm already experiencing the same thing PZ along with the back rib pain that didn't happen until much later with DD. I went to a preg physio with DD and got a belt the was wider at the back and had velcro at the front which i'm using already. It definitely helps. I had terrible SPD last pregnancy and am really hoping it doesn't get that bad again. Try sleeping with your belly on a pillow at night, if I don't have the pillow I wake in the night with really sore hips. Massage around your hips and groin/pelvic area too. Hope it eases for you. And remember to be careful when going upstairs, getting in and out of bed/car etc.

Hi alls...jumping in!...i think that i had that with my last pregnancy. I found that if i sat for long periods of time on couch or when i got up in the morning i found that i had to do it soooooo slowly and then would not be able to move for ages ( i was like my little oldies that i used to look after ) and i would have soo much pain in my hips, it seriously took me 5 mins or so to get moving first thing in the morning. It went away after i had my DS but i don't remember when!
I think it is coming back currently 14 wks..."fit to deliver" Frangipani Lou you mentioned that what kind of things do they do during this class? Sounds interesting..

I hope you don't mind me popping in here!

I saw a physio for the pain with DS1 and DS2 and not much really changed, pain wise. So with DD's pregnancy this year, my doula got me onto a fantastic chiro who got my pelvis in allignment and I had no pain after I started seeing her (around 30 weeks onwards). She said that the way the baby sits and the weight etc can pull the ligaments which are attached between the uterus and the pelvis. I can't believe I didn't get onto it earlier, as it made such a massive difference to how I felt during my third pregnancy. I hadn't seen a chiro before that and would highly recommend one now.