Pregnancy Forums

Posted: 07 April 2008 at 10:32am | IP Logged

Hi all

On and off during my pregnancy (I am 31 weeks tomorrow) I have had lower back pain and lower abdominal pain which has been painful but not too limiting as long as I rest and or take paracetamol and codeine given by my doctor. 

However, over the past few weeks there have been about 3 occaisions where I have been in so much pain and unable to move that I have been close to tears!  These occasions last a few days before I get back to "normal" levels that I can cope with and get on with daily life etc.

The back pain is still only mild but the lower abdominal pain (below belly button to the pubic area) has on these occaisions literally made me stop in my tracks and I am unable to carry on walking!  Eg this weekend was out and about in the car/popping into about half a dozen shops (trying to decide on a pram and ironically looking for a support belt!).  REally quickly ie within about an hour I was in severe pain.  Laying on the sofa for an hour or two (which previously worked) seemed to make it worse as then I completely seized.  Heat helps sooth a little, pain killers seem to have no effect. 

My quest for a support belt was unfruitful - Leicester really is appalling for maternity items!  Mothercare only stock a flimsy back pain belt. 

Has anyone else had these symptoms or tried any of the support belts out there, I have been wondering round the internet and there seems to be a few to choose from and I want to make sure I get the right one!

Any help/top tips gratefully received.

I am meant to be travelling to Ely tomorrow for work which should be interesting!  Really want to go as will be my last trip to the office before Mat leave.  Also moving house between 11th April and 20th April so want to be a bit better by this weekend...

Have asked midwife for help but she is useless and just tells me this is normal and to get on with it!  I know this is not the case through talking to some colleagues who have had babies.

Sorry for another epic post......and I thought I was doing ok at the moment (managing to cope with my palpitations/panic atacks and my blood pressure is back within normal range!).

Thanks all

H x

Posted: 07 April 2008 at 10:54am | IP Logged

Hun

Have a few questions some are TMI just to warn you.

Do you have difficulty in moving your legs when you get the pain and where is it localised?? Groin area or tum??

If it's groin area and your finding walking hard or climbing stairs, in and out of the car and bed then you might have a case of mild spd.

If it's localised to your tummy left hand side and round the back it could be a case of constipation. I had this and still have it due to the meds i take.... it is suprising....

The pain from constipation would be worse when walking as your helping it move towards the light (trying to be polite here! lol).

So you need to answer to yourself how frequently and how much do you go? Same as before pg or less??

If less i'd pop to the pharmacy or doctors and ask for something that you could have.

Either way if your concerned and it's affecting you this much you need to go get check hun.

Hope you get answers soon. Big soft gentle hugs xx

Posted: 07 April 2008 at 10:58am | IP Logged

It could be a lot of things - but it does sound a bit like mild SPD. Is it right in your groin where the pain is? Do you find it is normally when you overdo it - or have done a lot? There is an article I wrote here which would be worth a read though for sure.

Have you had any physio? Go see your GP and ask for an urgent referal to a physio who understands SPD. It depends on the area but some physios will give you a support belt if you have SPD. I had one which worked for a while but my SPD was severe and by the end it wasnt helping me at all.

The belt I had during pregnancy was the quite wide belt with 3 straps which velcro under the bump to support it whilst holding your pelvis together and stable.

The main joint affected in SPD is the Symphysis Pubis joint so the pain is felt in the groin where the joint sits. You also get lower back pain from the Sacroiliac joints which are also affected. The pain can also radiate into other areas and some women feel a grating or clicking when they walk.

It is important to get it diagnosed if it is SPD as you will need to be careful during labour to make sure you dont make it worse. Dont worry though, with mild SPD it goes away pretty quickly once the baby is born.

The article should help you know what you are facing and what to say to your GP, I would recommend getting an appt soon so you can get physio quickly as you are quite far on in your pregnancy.

Madmums offer a buddy scheme for SPD sufferers too if you want to talk to someone - click the link at the bottom of my post or in the menu bar under community.

Good luck - and try not to worry, it may not be SPD and even if it is you are quite a long way into your pregnancy so it probably wont get much worse, if at all. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk.

Posted: 07 April 2008 at 11:38am | IP Logged

Thanks both for your advice, I was thinking it seemed to fit mild SPD, but compared to your experiences no where near so bad so was not really sure!  And I am thinking that my MW/GP will think I am turning into a hypochondriac what with all the other stuff I have been running to them with over the past few months!

The pain is definitely in the groin rather than tummy. 

Annoyingly I have had consitpation on and off throughout my pg and take lactulose etc when required.  At the moment though I am virtually normal on that front (sorry TMI!).

I fogot to say that my left hip also goes through "clicky" phases and almost seems to come out of the socket on occasion.  These phases have usually followed a period of the groin pain (ie a day or 2 later).  I put this down to just me as I was one of those babies who had to be double nappyed when young as I had a weak hip and I have had the clickt thing on and off throughout my life ~(really mild and not painful - more amusing!).

I suppose I need to get to the GP again then...they must be sick of me by now!  I seem to be there nearly every week for one thing as another during this pg.

Anyway, now I am 31 weeks pg I guess I will never get to the "blooming" stage now!  I was still hoping lol.   

Thanks agian

Hen xx

PS thanks Mads for the link to the article - very helpful for trip to GP.

Posted: 07 April 2008 at 12:23pm | IP Logged

Hun from what you said about the clicky hip it definatly fits the spd criteria.

Push for a referal to physio even if it comes though afterwards still go as they can work on tightening up your core muscles to make sure it stays at bay.

As for the gp they are there to go to hun don't let them make you feel like you forever on their door step. On a positive note as you're so far in and it is mild it shouldn't get much worse and hopefully with rest and taking things easy after birth it should disappear.

Make sure it's on your birth plan and make sure that you stick to things that will help and not hinder you. Do you have any ideas of what sort of birth you'd like and pain relief options?

It is possible to have a normal birth with spd i had it mild/moderate with my first and 2nd time well i'm fudged! lol

If you want to talk hun you have my pm details and if you want some one to one support like madz has previously mentioned we have the buddy scheme.

Good luck at the doctors hun x

Posted: 07 April 2008 at 12:28pm | IP Logged

Just because your case is mild, it doesnt make it any less important to get checked.

Now you have added the information about the clicky hip I am certain it is SPD.

Dont worry about appearing a hypercondriac - some people just have pregnancies like that - I know at one point I considered setting up home in the doctors waiting room as I spent so much time there.

Good luck, and I'm glad the article helped.

Just wanted to add - Take it easy and try not to overdo it, the growing baby will be putting extra pressure on your pelvis which can make the symptoms worse so it is important to get as much rest as possible.