Pelvic pain

[Livvey]

Hi everyone :wave:

I'm almost 26 weeks pregnant, and for about the last 5-6 weeks i've had these terrible pains in my pelvic area. It hurts to get up, it hurts to get down (as in to get into a sitting position) and it's gradually getting worse. At nighttime in bed seems to be the most uncomfortable. Every time i go to turn over or move, the pain in the bottom of my pelvic area is so bad, so i try not to move, but end up getting leg cramps. I sleep with a pillow between my legs too, which sometimes helps. And i try to keep my legs together when i get up from bed or a chair. I also have vaginal varicose veins which arrived about 2 weeks before my pain started, so i'm not sure if it's connected to that or not. They don't tend to hurt like the pelvic pain though, and it's only on hot days or long days on my feet that they cause me discomfort.

I worked all day yesterday, i'm a deli manager so i was on my feet all day, and i paid for it last night. I could hardly move, and DP could tell i was struggling. Am supposed to be at work today, but have come home sick as i'm in pain when i walk. So hard to explain to my boss why i couldn't stay.

I'm really over it, and am starting to get depressed because of the worry over what it might be, or mean. My next middie appointment isn't until next saturday, should i wait until then, or call her....she said to only call if it's an emergency. Or should i just call the hospital and speak to the midwives at the desk for advice? I don't want to sound like one of those women who panic over every little twinge, but my instincts are all telling me it's not right to feel this uncomfortable.TIA

[claire.hutchinson]

Disclaimer:

I am not a doctor or midwife or otherwise medically trained

I am a mother and doula

This sounds like something you should check out. I will be honest here - I can't remember the name for it - but there is a fairly common situation where pregnant mothers get very strong pain in their pelvises from pressure and weight on them. I met a lady once who spent the last half of her pregnancy in a wheelchair as the pain when standing was so strong.

I would see your medical providers soon and ring them to talk about it very soon. Then you will have a better idea of what you're experiencing and the possible causes. Don't worry about being branded as silly or irrational, you listen to your body and act on pain!
Claire

[cath]

Hi,
Sounds to me like you have pelvic dysfunction (or Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction - SPD). I had it in my second and third pregnancies quite badly (and still have it now and my third baby is almost 9 months). I believe it is fairly common and it is bloody awful. Standing for long period definitely makes it worse as does any sort or lifting (mine really kicked in after being pregnant while having to deal with a toddler - I can see this is your second pregnancy so you are probably in the same situation of being pregnant and lifting and carrying a small child). I would call the hospital (or midwife) and see if you can get referred to a physiotherapist. I saw one during my second pregnancy but in all honesty it didn't help much.

The pain comes from your pelvic bones being unstable due to an influx of the relaxin hormone and there isn't much you can do about it I think except minimise your lifting and standing and walking for long periods (which of course is almost impossible to do if you have another child and are working:rolleyes:). My pain has definitely improved both times once the baby is born but it is still with me a bit. It is just one of those awful things that can be part of pregnancy (hence I am not going to be having a 4th child - I couldn't cope with the pain again).

Hopefully someone else will come on and help you out more than I have. You are right to not consider it a normal "twinge" - it isn't and is a really awful pain - I know it too well. Good luck with trying to alleviate it.

[Livvey]

Thanks ladies. I will give my middie a call and hopefully she's free to chat about it.

Sometimes it just helps knowing you're not being silly or irrational about how you're feeling, thanks heaps :hugs:

[JoJoMart]

Hi everyone :wave:

I'm almost 26 weeks pregnant, and for about the last 5-6 weeks i've had these terrible pains in my pelvic area. It hurts to get up, it hurts to get down (as in to get into a sitting position) and it's gradually getting worse. At nighttime in bed seems to be the most uncomfortable. Every time i go to turn over or move, the pain in the bottom of my pelvic area is so bad, so i try not to move, but end up getting leg cramps. I sleep with a pillow between my legs too, which sometimes helps. And i try to keep my legs together when i get up from bed or a chair. I also have vaginal varicose veins which arrived about 2 weeks before my pain started, so i'm not sure if it's connected to that or not. They don't tend to hurt like the pelvic pain though, and it's only on hot days or long days on my feet that they cause me discomfort.

I worked all day yesterday, i'm a deli manager so i was on my feet all day, and i paid for it last night. I could hardly move, and DP could tell i was struggling. Am supposed to be at work today, but have come home sick as i'm in pain when i walk. So hard to explain to my boss why i couldn't stay.

I'm really over it, and am starting to get depressed because of the worry over what it might be, or mean. My next middie appointment isn't until next saturday, should i wait until then, or call her....she said to only call if it's an emergency. Or should i just call the hospital and speak to the midwives at the desk for advice? I don't want to sound like one of those women who panic over every little twinge, but my instincts are all telling me it's not right to feel this uncomfortable.TIA
I had this with my first pregnancy. It's called Pelvic Instability (or pelvic dysfunction as Cath said) and I ended seeing a physio that specialises in women's health. The physio gave me some exercises to do to help and a list of things to do to ease the pain. Use of ice packs when you are having an acute attack (not heat packs as that increases the inflammation). You can buy special supportive belts to wear, available from the physio. Keep your legs together when you get out of the car, too much walking and on your feet doesn't help. Try and keep off unstable ground etc.

It's probably a good idea to get onto it sooner, rather than later. I definitely recommend seeing a physio but one that specialises in women's health.

[mandlsmum]

I had what you're describing at it turned out to be SPD. Are you being seen at a hospital at all? Because they can refer you to the physio dept there.

I had to wear a supportive belt and give up work early in my last pregnancy, physio was great for the pain for a few days at a time. I was told a nice firm pillow between the thighs was good, and when you roll onto your back to sit up, to keep your legs together and roll that way.

Good luck hun, it's not a nice feeling :hugs:

[fire~fly]

Hi there,
I had SPD with my last pg and it sounds exactly like what you have going on, i started seeing a chiropractor and it made a HUGE difference!! I would highly recommed seeing one or at least a physio, you dont have to just put up with the pain, there are things that can be done to help.

Hope you are feeling better soon!

[Livvey]

Well, midwife confirmed that i have an unstable pelvis, which is another name for SPD. I'm booked in to see the physio on the 3rd Dec, but it's going to be a long wait. I do see a chiro every 6 weeks anyway. BUt for hte time being i'm just going to take it easy and not lift anything etc.

Thanks for everyones suggestions:hugs: