Very sore - any thoughts?

[tlcdoula]

This is probably going to sound very weird, but I am hoping that someone might have an idea on what it could be. I am pregnant with baby number 8, and NEVER had this before (15 weeks, but have had this issue for probably about two weeks).

Every morning when I wake up I am very, very achy in my entire bottom. The only way I can explain it is that it feels like if I was laying on my back, spread my legs and someone beat up my entire bottom (cervix hurts, vaginal area hurts, upper-inner thighs hurt, behind hurts, and lower abdomen hurts). When I get up and move around the pain goes away rather quickly, but this strange pain wakes me every single morning at 3 am and then I struggle to go back to sleep. If I lay in bed then it continues to hurt, but if I get up and walk around it is gone quickly (the walking probably wakes me up - hence my trouble to sleep afterwards).

I tried to figure out if this pain coinsided with anything (sex, exercise, etc) but nothing. At first it only happened a few times per week, but now it is almost daily.

I will be seeing my doctor on Monday and will ask her, but was wondering if any of the midwives have experienced this with their clients or even doulas or anyone have it personally. (Btw - this isn't a varicosity because it hurts in a huge area.)

[tlcdoula]

Wow, no one has any ideas on this one? That must be a first!!!

[MsBlack]

It is definitely a first for me!

Generally speaking, it sounds like what the Trad Chinese Med would call 'stagnation'. Of course, TCM looks at pregnancy in general as a state of stagnation ('gathering and holding energy and materials', as opposed to the usual flow). But this sounds like a greater and more focussed degree of stagnation than usual, which of course breaks up w/movement and increased circulation.

I wonder why you rule out varicosities? Yes, it is a larger area of involvement than usual w/varicosities, but I can't help but wonder if there isn't some connection with varicose veins or other circulatory issue?

I am curious what a dr would say. I also wonder if seeing a chiropractor would help--chiro and maybe also a practitioner of TCM.

Do keep us posted!

[Mommyleslie]

Could it be pinched nerves? Have you tried a chiro? This has happened to me in almost all of my pregnancies. But I have a herniated disc and think this has something to do with it. With regular adjustements and lots of exercise, I seem to be able to endure it better. I also can't sleep on my back and have to "find" positions to sleep in of which there are about two very carefully arranged with my legs just so and my butt at just the right angle etc. It's really annoying.

[tlcdoula]

Originally Posted by MsBlack

It is definitely a first for me!

Generally speaking, it sounds like what the Trad Chinese Med would call 'stagnation'. Of course, TCM looks at pregnancy in general as a state of stagnation ('gathering and holding energy and materials', as opposed to the usual flow). But this sounds like a greater and more focussed degree of stagnation than usual, which of course breaks up w/movement and increased circulation.

I wonder why you rule out varicosities? Yes, it is a larger area of involvement than usual w/varicosities, but I can't help but wonder if there isn't some connection with varicose veins or other circulatory issue?

I am curious what a dr would say. I also wonder if seeing a chiropractor would help--chiro and maybe also a practitioner of TCM.

Do keep us posted!

I see her on Monday so I will let you know what she has to say

[tlcdoula]

Originally Posted by Mommyleslie

Could it be pinched nerves? Have you tried a chiro? This has happened to me in almost all of my pregnancies. But I have a herniated disc and think this has something to do with it. With regular adjustements and lots of exercise, I seem to be able to endure it better. I also can't sleep on my back and have to "find" positions to sleep in of which there are about two very carefully arranged with my legs just so and my butt at just the right angle etc. It's really annoying.

I don't think it is a pinched nerve, but hmmmm something to think about I will be seeing my doctor on Monday so will see what she has to say about it.

[laoxinat]

All I know is...

I am in AWE of mamas who have such wonderful BIG families! I recently met a woman in her early 50's whose papa had caught all but one of her 6 siblings
In my next lifetime for sure.....

[jenmidwife2b]

I'm thinking nerve or blood flow issue also. I'm assuming that you are not sleeping on your back but rather on your side?

[Jane]

Huh - weird. A 15 week uterus isn't that big yet - not usually big enough to be restricting lymphatic or blood flow.
I'm wondering if it's a strange presentation of sciatica?

[tlcdoula]

Originally Posted by Apricot

Huh - weird. A 15 week uterus isn't that big yet - not usually big enough to be restricting lymphatic or blood flow.
I'm wondering if it's a strange presentation of sciatica?

Actually my uterus is measuring way larger then 15 weeks. At my 12 week appointment I was measuring 20 weeks, and right now at 15 weeks it is slightly above my belly button. There are no abnormalities and my doctor just believes it is because this is baby number 8!

[tlcdoula]

Originally Posted by jenmidwife2b

I'm thinking nerve or blood flow issue also. I'm assuming that you are not sleeping on your back but rather on your side?

Actually I toss and turn alot!!! I start out on my side, but do end up on my back some days. I flip around so much at night that on nights when my dh is off of work (he works 3rd shift) I drive him insane LOL

[Jane]

Ah, a 20-22 week uterus could definitely be restricting things. Do you have a maternity support belt? Have you ever tried one? Sometimes they help, but it's nice to borrow one rather than buy one b/c they are so expensive and sometimes they are no help at all.

[DBZ]

Have you tried sleeping with a pillow between your legs?

[tlcdoula]

Originally Posted by Apricot

Ah, a 20-22 week uterus could definitely be restricting things. Do you have a maternity support belt? Have you ever tried one? Sometimes they help, but it's nice to borrow one rather than buy one b/c they are so expensive and sometimes they are no help at all.

I used to have one for my other kids, but we said we were done having kids so I gave it away LOL. Unfortunately we changed our minds and at this point I am thinking about getting another one, but you are right they are expensive, and if my memory serves me correctly not the most comfortable thing to wear either

[tlcdoula]

Originally Posted by DBZ

Have you tried sleeping with a pillow between your legs?

Yes, I sleep with lots of pillows.

[wumanh]

Do you wear any type of support for your belly? Maybe that would help. Realign things.
Do you do kegels or other exercise (besides chasing 7 other kids- hahaha!) like belly dancing or pelvic movement? That would get circulation going better.
Another thing- if you have the feeling it is related to circulation would be sitz baths or something like thick compresses, alternating hot and cold.

[Jane]

Originally Posted by tlcdoula

I used to have one for my other kids, but we said we were done having kids so I gave it away LOL. Unfortunately we changed our minds and at this point I am thinking about getting another one, but you are right they are expensive, and if my memory serves me correctly not the most comfortable thing to wear either

Perhaps the universe has yours coming back to you? I recommend borrowing b/c, as you say, they are not so comfortable. It's nice to know if you can stand it before you spend the $$. You can make one up yourself with an ace bandage or long piece of cloth. It really takes someone else to wrap it though - not tight at all, just supportive.

[tlcdoula]

Originally Posted by wumanh

Do you wear any type of support for your belly? Maybe that would help. Realign things.
Do you do kegels or other exercise (besides chasing 7 other kids- hahaha!) like belly dancing or pelvic movement? That would get circulation going better.
Another thing- if you have the feeling it is related to circulation would be sitz baths or something like thick compresses, alternating hot and cold.

I don't currently wear a support for my belly, but am thinking about getting one again because my round ligaments are really protesting As for pelvic movement - the only thing I am doing right now is water aerobics. I would love to do belly dancing though!!!

[wumanh]

You can make your own belly band with some nice soft cloth. Just make a big tube with elastic bottom and top. this is more like the ones Japanese moms wear and not those giant elastic ones.
Perhaps the achiness is from the ligaments being strained?