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Has anyone suffered from 'Pelvic Girdle Pain' ? My pelvic joints have been sore for a few weeks now, but the last few days - after some long days christmas shopping - I have been in agony. I am going to see a Dr tomorrow to get it checked out, but was just wondering if anyone has or had it and what you did to relieve some of the pain.
Thanks
Hi Bailey
This i quite common later in pregnancy. It is caused by a hormone called relaxin. Relaxin helps to loosen your joints and thus making it easier for the baby to fit through your pelvis. Unfortunatly relaxin also softens the joint in the center of your pubic bone and when you move so does this joint causing pain. This can be quite painful when doing things like getting into out of a car, turning over in bed. Try to move slowly and keep your knees as close together as you can. Panadol can be helpful if needed
Thanks Alan, yes, it is really hard to lift my legs out of the car, lol, and when i stand after sitting for an amount of time, i have to take a few seconds to get my bearings and balance - and turning over in bed, my god, it's impossible. I will try to keep my legs together, but it is a little hard with this belly I have, I have to spread them so the stomach has somewhere to go:lol: Thanks again!
YES! I DO! I went shopping after my midwife appt yesterday, and the moment I sit down afterwards and then try to get up again...I'm crippled!
Keep my knees closer together hey. I can do that! I don't have much helpful for you Bailey, just wanted to say that I so know where you're coming from. :) I either shuffle or waddle when I'm home - it's very glamorous! :p
Bailey - depending on how severe the pain is, go and get it checked out by a physio who specialises in pregnancy-related issues. It can get quite bad - some women have to use crutches/wheelchairs. Hopefully, this won't happen to you and that is worse case scenario. GPs often poo-poo it as "just the aches and pains of pregnancy". I had it from Week 28 and it's only just going away now, four months after the birth. Clinical pilates REALLY helps if you feel you need it.
Thanks so much for your replies Nelle and Fionas. I too thought it was just normal pains or from having two pregnancies too close together, but as it has got so much worse, i knew it was more than that. Yes Nelle, I have the shuffle, not a good look is it? I mght ask my Dr about seeing a physio, I have 5 weeks to go till bub's is here and I really don't think I can keep going like this.
Thanks guys!
I saw a fantastic Physio in my first pregnancy. She specialised in Pregnancy and cured me. I had the beautifully named pubic symphysis dysfunction which may be a bit different from what you are experiencing, and also cronic lower and upper back pain. To say she cured me is not an understatement.I was in agony and could barely walk or sit or lie down. It was awful. I have had no similar problems this time around thankfully. Are you in Sydney? I can look up the name of this physio, think she was in camperdown near syd uni. Can't quite remember her name but sure I have her info somewhere in last pregnancy stuff. Good Luck
Bailey - I had this during Oscar's pregnancy and I still have some discomfort getting up from the floor :rolleyes: The chiro that Spring and I see for the little people (and me) was fabulous. He worked on loosening the tight muscles to realign the pelvis and the giving me pilates exercises (really simple ones) to improve the stability and ease the pain. His belief is that you shouldn't have pain in pregnancy and he can help with most of them. I managed to work to 38 weeks clinically (walking) with minimal discomfort and just needed to make a few adjustments to my posture and movements - as well as the pilates.
Glad this thread is still going cos it's getting worse for me! :p
I'm definitely going to get a referral to the maternity physio or whoever they are next appt. I think *to my shame* it's gotten worse since I stopped walking quite as much, does that sound right? I should be exercising more anyway.
Nelle - gentle exercise seems to help. I found the cross trainer gave me some core exercise (if I concentrated) and there was none of the impact. Plus it kept my legs together :D But the really simple pilates was the best.
I also have symphysis pubis (pretty name, hey?). Physio said the single worst thing you can do is walking - or any activity that involves balancing on one foot at a time. mine has really settled down since I started being careful about what I do, keeping legs together as I get in and out of car, wearing a support belt and using an ice pack regularly. She gave me exercises (more like activities, since they're not remotely strenuous) that involve sitting on a fitball and 'retraining' my pelvis and ab muscles. Physios are great for these kinds of problems if you can afford it.
I was going to suggest similar to mgm. Pilates, or fitball or anything which strengthens your core muscles would be good I think to take the strain off of the joint and put it on the supportive muscles instead.
I wonder if Yogababy would have suggestions?? maybe you could pm her?
Hey BB girls
nelle and bailey
you both sound like you have a 'touch' of symphasis pubis dysfunction...as Alan said the pelvic ligaments soften in response to the hormone relaxin
physios are great if you can get to one who is pregnancy specialised...they can provide a splinting bandage that provides support
again as Alan said avoid positions in which there will be pressure on the front of the pelvis and the join (symphysis pubis)
really focus on correcting your posture...we spend a lot of time on our feet and we can greatly impact apon pelvic function just by standing and walking...the following will help
Tadasana (Mountain pose)
2-3 minutes.
Tadasana teaches you the art of standing correctly, and increases the awareness of the body.
? Stand with your feet hip width apart, feet parallel and toes pointing forward
? Press you feet firmly onto the floor, balancing your weight between the ball and heel of your foot, lifting the inner arch and relaxing your toes
? Lift (activate) your knee caps and activate your thigh muscles
? Tuck your hips under, drawing the buttocks down and under, tilting the pubic bone forward
? Extend your arms down by your side, fingers long, palms open
? Lift up through your chest and allow your shoulders to move back and down
? Balance your head on your neck and allow your chin to tilt slightly forward
? Soften the face and maintain balance
? Allow the breath to become even and relaxed
Avoid squatting as this increases the pressure on the pelvis
practise an all 4's position, as this also alleviates pressure on back and pelvis
If you would like more suggestions I would be more than happy to help
xx yogababy
Thanks for all of those suggetions ladies. I am so glad to see it is an actuall problem and not just in my head. I swear, DH must think I am mad with all the things that I complain about, lol. When I was trying to explain it to him the other week, the only way I could describe it was "It feels like I have been riding a horse for 20 years!" I will try those moves Yogababy, and see how I go. Though I have noticed in the last few days since quitting work - and not sitting on in an uncomfortable chair all day, it has eased a little. Michelle, it is really hard to get up from the floor, but I think that has more to do with this massive child in my belly, lol. Creesmum, I am in Sydney, in the eastern suburbs, so I might ask you for that physio's number if I get any worse.
Thanks again, I hope everyones Pubis' feel better soon.:lol:
Thanks heaps Natalie! Hopefully that'll help things til I get a chance to see a physio. :)
Oh Nelle,
I just wante to say that I lurve your sig :)
Heheh, think I might have mine a bit longer than yours - not long to go at all for you! Less than a month! :D