Pelvic/groin pain

[sarahn4639]

What is this?!? Is it the pelvis separation, SPD thing? I feel like I got kicked in the pubic bone, feels very bruised and tender to the touch. It has for a couple weeks but nothing bothersome unless my daughter steps or hits it. I now also have random groin pain on the left side. Today it has been whenever I sit for more than 10-15", when I stand, my left groin hurts and down onto my leg. When I rub it out it also feels like a bruise. Not like a sore muscle, but like a tender bruise. I see a chiropractor and told her about the pubic stuff yesterday. She did some things there and gave me an excercise to do. It really hurts and I had nothing like this with my first pregnancy. Is anyone else dealing with anything like this? Do you know what it is? What can I do? Will I have it for another 2-3 months!?! As you can tell I'm feeling a little desperate at the moment and any input or sympathy is appreciated!

[smokeylo]

Yes, it's SPD. SPD is often a lot worse with second pregnancies and beyond than with the first, and unfortunately other than chiro care, careful posture, and heat therapy, there's not much you can do. Don't cross your legs, sit on a birth ball, use a heat pack... I wish I had more advice for you! Seeing your chiro should help. Good luck.

[kathywiehl]

It's totally normal. I had it with all of my pregnancies except my 1st. When it gets really bad for me, I find that getting on all fours is good and takes the pressure off. That is also good for getting baby in a good position anyway, so it's worth it.

Also, I try to stay off my feet most of the day and lie on my side as much as possible instead of sitting down. When I read to my kids, I'm on my hands and knees and if I'm watching a movie with them, or relaxing in the evening instead of sitting up, I'm now side lying. If you can do this lots it will help. It also relieves some of the ligament pain if you are feeling that as well.

I go to two chiros near my home. One is really good with pregnancy stuff. She's very knowledgeable, is a homebirthing mama, has attended births and really seems to know how to temporarily alleviate some of these things, including SPD. She was able to do something with my leg and move my pubic bones back into place.

If you can find a chiro who is really knowledgeable about pregnancy like mine is, then I bet he/she might help you.

[Mindi22]

If you're comfortable with it, you can tell your Chiro that I've had great results with blocking women SOT Category II (she should at least know what that means, and she can feel free to get in touch with me if she needs help with the details of that). I also will recommend ice for some women, which doesn't sound as nice as heat, but works really well if there's any inflammation, which there generally is.

PM me if you want more information.


Mindi (yep, chiropractor here)

PS. if you want someone with more information about chiropractic care during pregnancy, try www.icpa4kids.org.

[sarahn4639]

Thank you all! It helps to know what it is. I'm looking up more about it right now. My chiro specializes in maternity and pediatric works so she will be very helpful I'm sure. It is definately progressing quickly in the amount of pain I have. I hope this progression slows down! Why does the birth ball help? I was thinking about doing some ice because it feels like a bruise and I'm pretty sure it's imflamed. The heat certainly sounds nicer though!

Mindi- I will certainly mention that to her, I don't know if that's what she did Thursday or not. Thank you for the website, that is actually how I found her in my first pregnancy! Do you typically expect to be able to correct this or just manage it and help it not get worse? I'm hoping for the fix it part!

Thank you all again for the help and advise!!


Another question, is there any reason to think this could complicate birth? My chiro mentioned that my tail bone is "locking" and it certainly feels that way. I would think these 2 things could be connected, so that worries me a bit as far as getting a baby through. Any idea?

[Gracecody]

I had a lot of SPD pain last time and am just starting to feel it this time, especially on days when I lift my 2 yo too much or do a lot of walking.

One thing that I don't believe that's been mentioned that has helped me is a maternity support belt. Medela makes them and they're reasonably easy to find. I think I got mine at Babies R Us last time but I heard Target has them too, and of course you can find them online. It's just a stretchy band that goes under your belly and closes with velcro. it can help take a bit of the pressure off.

[sarahn4639]

I was just looking at those wondering if they actaully did anythingg or not. I'm glad to hear that it helps you! Thanks for that info!

[nolonger]

I don't remember it with my girls, but I sure do remember it with ds! It was so bad that I really was dreading the next pregnancy (although maybe not sixteen YEARS worth of dread ) and here it comes again!

FWIW, I have no trouble at all with bicycling (other than some bikes putting too much pressure on my bladder) but walking is incredibly painful.

My midwifes at the time said nothing could be done about it. It's so great to hear that chiros can actually help.

[ellymay]

(((HUGS))) I feel ya I have this BAD this time! My doc said there wasn't anything you can do about it other than tylenol if it gets bad enough and warm compresses.

[sarahn4639]

Just to let you other sufferers know (and to thank Gracecody) the maternity support belt is WONDERFUL!! I tried it on in the store (got it at Babies R Us for $30) and didn't take it off. I was able to do a lot of shopping and walking and could feel such a difference in my hips, pelvis, and especially my back. I have taken it off since being home (had it on really tight) and my back is staring to ache again so I might be wearing it all the time from now on. I just wanted to let everyone know that it did infact make a big difference in my comfort level and I recommend it to others suffering!

[Matilda_z]

I have the same pain! This is my second pregnancy as well.

I saw a chiro on Thursday for an initial adjustment, she specialises in prenatal care. I'm better now and going in again on monday. I'm not sure how often I'll have to go, but I can walk now and I was limping around this time last week.

I also ordered a belt from www.bellysling.com and I can't wait to get it!

[MamaBBrown2003]

This is the 3rd pregnancy that I've dealt with this, but the first time was the worst since I thought nothing could be done, and so tried nothing. With the next pregnancy, my midwife said that Tylenol and heat were the only things that might help. However, I also had an anterior placenta, and in my attempts to avoid having a posterior baby, I began doing the things recommended by Spinningbabies.com. (Simple things like sitting with both feet on the floor and keeping my knees lower than my hips -- even when that meant sitting on a stack of books in the car.) Within a week or so, my SPD pain was lessened a great deal, to the point that I had more pain free days than not. Not to mention, I avoided a posterior baby! With this pregnancy, the only times it bothers me are when I'm being lazy about my posture and movements, but shortly after correcting myself, it improves.

As far as affecting delivery, it shouldn't. However, discuss it with your doc or midwife ahead of time. You'll want to be a bit more careful with choosing your pushing position -- nothing that has your legs widely spread is going to feel great. I would definitely not recommend the semi-reclined position for pushing, especially not with your legs spread in stirrups. My last baby was expected to be large, so even before he crowned, they began treating me as though he were stuck. They shoved my knees to my ears and a nurse jammed her hands into my pelvis (apparently to keep him from getting stuck on the pelvic bone). I would not recommend this to anyone with SPD unless it's a true emergency and there is no other option. Because of my delivery, my SPD was worst postpartum and lasted until my son was just over a year old. If only I'd insisted on staying on my hands and knees . . .

Well, I just found this link which says most of what I was trying to say, only more concisely.
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Childbirt...ion-breech.htm

[Gracecody]

I just checked back because mine has suddenly really kicked in and it's been really painful the last 2 days! I overdid it with the walking on Friday. Anyway, I'm really glad to see that the belt was helpful and will have to start wearing mine again. I really hate having anything around my belly, especially with my lovely love handles in the picture. But it's certainly better than the alternative, and I don't want the pain to be constant or get even worse.

I appreciate the information about posture and positioning too and found it really interesting. I have one of those chairs with the knee pads that positions your knees below your hips and I should start sitting on that rather than my regular office chair when I am at the computer.

[sarahn4639]

So what about excercise? I haven't found anything that addresses that. It is very important for me to stay active and keep my weight gain reasonable and healthy this time around! What can I do? I gained 3+ pounds this week because I haven't been able to do my videos. That has me a little freaked out! Any ideas or suggestions?