has anyone had this much hip pain? (SI joint)

[sanguine_speed]

I have had this SI joint kind of pain in previous pregnancies, but never to this degree. Sometimes it's completely debilitating and I cannot walk to the dinner table for instance--I have to crawl. I often can't get from bed to the toilet at night without shuffling painfully along the wall.

Now, after a while of going, I can generally walk again. It's the getting up from lying or sitting that any of you with SI joint pain will appreciate.

I'm almost 38 weeks now, and I can bear with the pain for a few more weeks if necessary, but since it's become so severe this time I am really worried about whether I'll recover quickly after the baby is born like I did in past pregnancies when I had mild to moderate SI joint pain.

I'm concerned about whether there has been longer-lasting injury from this ongoing pain. So I'm wondering whether anyone else has had quite severe SI joint pain that did clear quickly after birth? Or anyone who had it and found that post-partum professional care was required?

The reason I have not sought professional care up to now (physiotherapy is useful, chiropractic care isn't so much for SI joint pain I hear) is because I have 3 other kids and between all of our illnesses this winter, prenatal appointments and otherwise, I just haven't had the time to coordinate without having help from family around and the kids having opposite school schedules.

I'm hoping this will resolve with the baby's birth because adding a newborn to this mix isn't going to help my ability to see a professional, except that DP will be able to take some extra time off after the baby is born.

[claddaghmom]

I have horrific back pain during pregnancy. It must be hormone related as well b/c it starts early...in the 1st trimester.

Yes, I do remember it disappearing during labor and after labor...although I did have some odd related pain in my RL and my legs went numb during pushing.

I remember that last trimester...I couldn't do anything without DH helping me. I was literally disabled. He had to help me bring my knees to my chest and roll me over so I could get out of bed, then carry me to the bathroom and help lower me onto the toilet.

This time around I have a toddler, and some info on the issue, so I am not going down without a fight. I've been looking around for an experienced message therapist and chiropractor. I hope to do piriformis stretching exercises, release massages and consistent adjustments from here on out. The reason I haven't done it sooner is b/c I've been hem hawing about how to find reliable professionals. The chiro I had w/ DD was basically useless; I don't think he even realized how bad my case was...or he was afraid to do anything at the time (I came to him at 32 weeks).

[dachshundqueen]

I have spoken with my SIL (an OB) about hip pain. We have a family history of it. I explained that I had done massage, chiropractic, exercise, and wasn't feeling any better. I asked my father and he said something about steroid shots directly into the hip joints. My SIL said that these are acceptable and that some internists even do them. Just something to consider.

Liz

[thefreckledmama]

I'm not sure if what I have is the same as you, but it basically feels like an ice pick is sticking into my hip joint. It's been getting worse the last week or so, I can't find a comfortable position to sleep in. FWIW, when I go to my DO and get an adjustment, it does help considerably.

[momto4plus4]

Mine has not gone away after pregnancy. Chiropractic care Does help me but only temporarily. I had started physical therapy when I got pregnant but couldn't continue it. I will be going back as soon as baby is born. Mine was due to my pelvis being out of alignment from bedrest 9 years ago. The chiropractic adjustments would get it back in alignment but I need the PT to build the muscles needed to Keep it in alignment. Since the physical therapist was booked, I've been doing the chiropractor 2-3 x's per week since 36 weeks to help it.

[longmountainart]

I have too had joint pain in my hips; especially my flexors. I actually had it for a few years...didnt start until 2 or 3 years after the birth of my son and now that im pregnant with #2 it has started again. really mine is connected to a combination of my left side being shorter than the other side so it takes more impact upon walking, and the 3 t=bone car accidents ive been a passenger in (happened before first baby). ive had chiropractic care and massage done for the last year and it has helped tremendously; although the work has been done on my lower back and on the sides of my back (not sure what that is called but its connected to your pelvis which is connected to the front side) i know some people really dont believe in chiropractic care but it has been the only thing that has helped me. now that im pretty far along of course it has been coming back but that obviously is little baby pushing my pelvis and hips out of whack. i like chiropractors and their massage therapists for me...good luck hope you can find some relief!

[gcgirl]

I haven't had it to QUITE that degree, but I have chronic SI joint pain that worsens significantly with pregnancy. And the only thing that helps is...yes...my Skechers fitness shoes. After about two weeks of wearing them full time I hardly feel any SI pain at all. I started around 36 weeks pg, so the pain was pretty much at its maximum.

I guess I sound like a spokesman for the brand...but they really helped me. More than massage, chiro, or those hip belts.

[claddaghmom]

Originally Posted by gcgirl

I haven't had it to QUITE that degree, but I have chronic SI joint pain that worsens significantly with pregnancy. And the only thing that helps is...yes...my Skechers fitness shoes. After about two weeks of wearing them full time I hardly feel any SI pain at all. I started around 36 weeks pg, so the pain was pretty much at its maximum.

I guess I sound like a spokesman for the brand...but they really helped me. More than massage, chiro, or those hip belts.

Other than a pair of churchy shoes, skechers is all I own for this reason.

[BlackSheepPDX]

My SI went really out of whack about a week ago. I was already pointed by my midwives in the direction of seeing a chiro who specializes in pelvic floor work, so I went to her with BOTH my problems (the acute anterior rotation to my R innominate, and stress incontinence for the last 3 years). I work in sports medicine and tend to be skeptical of chiropractic, but I think there are practitioners who are specialized and excellent for addressing both issues. The average "back cracker" who pops a couple of random things and then says "hey isn't that wonderfully better" is NOT who I would see. There are PTs who are similarly specialized, who I would also be very in favor of seeing.

As far as your question about long term problems, it sounds like your pain and dysfunction are pretty severe, and potentially could persist beyond pregnancy if you are trying to operate from a malaligned pelvis, and as a result are developing muscle imbalances that will prevent things from aligning properly even once the baby stress is off. So, yes, I would address the issue.

[IAMommy]

I have this problem and have been seeing a DO off and on for years. After DS was born, I went through PT and got so much stronger. I had PT before I had children too, but the relaxin and carrying a child wrecked everything. I plan to do my PT exercises after this baby too - it is amazing what a difference they can make. There was a time that I was almost like you. I could barely walk and every movement was painful.
I know it is hard to find time, but PT is the only thing that will be a long-term solution. You might only need six or seven sessions to learn the exercises.
In the meantime, do not cross your legs, try to make all of your movements symmetrical, and sleep with a good pillow between your knees.

[inkedmamajama]

Originally Posted by sanguine_speed

I have had this SI joint kind of pain in previous pregnancies, but never to this degree. Sometimes it's completely debilitating and I cannot walk to the dinner table for instance--I have to crawl. I often can't get from bed to the toilet at night without shuffling painfully along the wall.

Now, after a while of going, I can generally walk again. It's the getting up from lying or sitting that any of you with SI joint pain will appreciate.

I'm almost 38 weeks now, and I can bear with the pain for a few more weeks if necessary, but since it's become so severe this time I am really worried about whether I'll recover quickly after the baby is born like I did in past pregnancies when I had mild to moderate SI joint pain.

I'm concerned about whether there has been longer-lasting injury from this ongoing pain. So I'm wondering whether anyone else has had quite severe SI joint pain that did clear quickly after birth? Or anyone who had it and found that post-partum professional care was required?

The reason I have not sought professional care up to now (physiotherapy is useful, chiropractic care isn't so much for SI joint pain I hear) is because I have 3 other kids and between all of our illnesses this winter, prenatal appointments and otherwise, I just haven't had the time to coordinate without having help from family around and the kids having opposite school schedules.

I'm hoping this will resolve with the baby's birth because adding a newborn to this mix isn't going to help my ability to see a professional, except that DP will be able to take some extra time off after the baby is born.

I had very similar issues. I was able to walk after delivery, but it took about 5 weeks before I could sit tailor style on the floor, etc...and I am three years post partum and still have issues from it...though I reinjured the area and have not been able to maintain a disciplined therapy/exercise/strength training regime.

your best bet is to get on a gentle, but disciplined exercise schedule...that way you can lose any weight that you need to (extra weight will exacerbate the issue immensely-i know from personal experience) and more importantly-build up the muscle in the area in order to stabilize the joints. i would stay away from yoga type exercises until you have regained quite a bit of stability in the area-otherwise you can re injure yourself and it will be much worse.

[sk8boarder15]

I'm at 16 weeks and have been having severe hip pain for weeks. My OB said it was the hormones and basically said to deal with it.... I got a massage and hurt WORSE the next day... walking helps the pain go away, so I make sure to walk everyday... if it keeps getting worse I have to find something else....

[Mama~Love]

I had severe pain with my 3rd, and with him & the 3 afterwards, I still couldn't lay down after the second trimester. I have to sleep in the recliner, and with my 3rd, I couldn't even put the foot rest up because it hurt so bad. My poor legs were so swollen, and he wasn't born til 42w3d.

I don't have any problems anymore with it, and it usually goes away shortly after delivery for me; like within a week or 2.

[UrbanSimplicity]

I had this during both pregnancies, mine also began early in the first trimester. It is debilitating. I felt relief immediately after birth - I remember having this feeling "Wow, my vagina sure is sore, but my hips feel great!" That being said, I am now 2 years out from my youngest dd's birth and the pain still returns during my period, or too much baby wearing. My SI pain is related to misalignment of my pelvis - one side is 3mm higher than the other. Phys therepy and chiro have not helped. Ideally, I'd like to do both NOW, while not pg, in hopes that another pg would be less painful. But, time, money.......

[ZoeJane'sMommy]

Originally Posted by sanguine_speed

I have had this SI joint kind of pain in previous pregnancies, but never to this degree. Sometimes it's completely debilitating and I cannot walk to the dinner table for instance--I have to crawl. I often can't get from bed to the toilet at night without shuffling

I'm hoping this will resolve with the baby's birth because adding a newborn to this mix isn't going to help my ability to see a professional, except that DP will be able to take some extra time off after the baby is born.

Hang in there I know its hard. I had some of the most painful hip pain with my first one. I could not walk either and this started at about 24 weeks. It was paralizing that early in my preg, my doc sent me to 2 times a week therapy(thats all my insurance would cover). It was horrible, then my daughter was born and it seemed like God came down and touched my hip while I was recovering in the hospital recovery room. I still get hip problems every now and then but it was atleast a few months before I felt any more pain. Now it only comes and go if I am like moving furniture or ridding in a care for more than a few hours.

Good luck to you I hope it gets better for you to