Dealing with Pelvic Pain

I had a lot of pelvic pain with my last 2 babies. I had to sit on a yoga ball in place of a chair the last few weeks. I also bought a belly bra that help relieve some pressure from my growing belly. Also try doing pelvic rocks, get on all fours and rock pelvis back and forth. Unfortunately there is no instant cure for this pain. Good luck and congrats!

Hi K.,
As a doula I would suggest trying some pelvic tilts (sitting, standing or on knees) or sitting on a birth ball. Try lifting the baby/belly from very low to releif pain for a moment. Your husband can help with this two by doing a hip squeeze on you. It sounds like you are getting close. Good luck and I hope some of this helps.
C.
Om Balance
Yoga - Iyengar & Prenatal, Birth Doula

Just to be on the safe side, call your OB on Monday, and make an appt. He'll probably want you to come on in, and make sure that you're not having contractions early. He may go ahead and start having you come in on a weekly basis at this point. And your little boy make be like both my boys were~in a BIG hurry to meet their mommy! :)

I didn't have any contractions with my 2nd one, who is 14 years younger than his big brother, but my water broke in March, and I wasn't due until May! So I spent the last 6 weeks of my pregnancy on bed rest in the hospital. Talk about nothing to do but gain weight!! :) (Still haven't lost it, 2 1/2 years later, either.)

Congratulations on your babies! (Jeremiah 29:11)
~J.~

I feel your pain! My youngest dropped at conception - lol! Sometimes the baby just sits in a more sensitive position. If you're active, then kneeling and tilting your upper body forward shouldn't be too much strain for you and it will provide some temporary relief. I don't know it anyone even has these anymore, but a bean bag is perfect for this exercise. It provides some support and allows you to 'tip' forward without bonking your nose on the floor. My doc also recommended resting with a pillow under my hips and legs towards the end, but avoid doing that right after a meal since you're tipping everything upwards. The most relief came with floating in the swimming pool. If you have one nearby, you might consider it. By the last two weeks, I remember that not much of anything helped, but you can try to get a few minutes here and there. Good luck!

I'm so sorry you're hurting. I'm 31 weeks and have been in pain very frequently this whole pg, same with my first.

Pelvic rocks are SOOOO helpful. There are a lot of places on line to get instructions how to do them. But it's basically arching your back while on hands and knees. As much as your wrists will let you do, do them as much as you can.

Don't sit on the couch or recliner. sit tailor style on a cushion on the floor or sit on a birth ball. You won't believe how good the birth ball feels.

Sit in a warm bath.

I swear by going to the chiropractor, one who is experienced in maternity care and whom you trust. i go once a month.

Don't worry about your weight gain. Eat when you are hungry, stop before you're full. Drink only water, and eat your protein and veggies first. Baby gains the most weight right now- it's okay to eat!

Oh, and it's good to put your feet up. I lay on the couch for 20-30 min 2x day, pull the coffee table up close and play legos or puzzles with my son. He loves the attention, doesn't mind me laying down at all.

As far as the house, you may have to let it get messy for a little while. You know from your first that once he's sleeping better at night, you'll be able to get the house back into shape like you want it. what's a few months in the grand scheme of things? Relaxing is better for you and your baby right now.

Congratulations on #2!

I had a LOT of pelvic pain with both of mine. My first, after she dropped, it was intense, and there was nothing I could do about it. My OB's nurse said that she's had patients actually break their pelvic bone during preg with breech babies. Mine was breech. ;) My second, it wasn't as bad b/c he stayed head down and fit like he was supposed to, but it was still bad. After he was born I thought it would go away like it did with #1, but I still have it occassionally. Especially when picking up heavier objects (like my 4 yr old)... My dr said to start doing stretches every day to loosen up the tendons and things in there. She said the best ones to do are squats and other leg stretches like lunges and things... I started taking a dance class (ballet) and that seems to have helped a lot as well b/c of all the warm up stretches we do. Good luck!!! I know how hard this can be!!!!!!

my daughter cracked my pelvis bone was I was about 6mo.. I know the pain u are in.. I was told to go and get a belly belt.. Helped a little.. just a thought... Good luck

HI K.,

This is C. Cox, PT from Fit Mamas Prenatal Exercise. I also see women's health patients such as yourself in the physical therapy clinic as that is my specialty. Have you tried a sacroiliac belt with specific pubic symphysis relieving pain/pelvic pain points? Check out babyhugger.com...they have a goofy looking belt/whole trunk orthotic that you can purchase specifically for your issue. It looks ugly but is actually quite effective and is not visible under clothing. It sounds like you don't have much time left. You could also come in for a visit or two with me in my outpatient clinic. Your OB or any MD would just need to write you a Rx for physical therapy. I do similar things to a chiropractor but a whole lot more...I want to make sure that you are lifting correctly and also take a look at your biomechanics from upper spine to your feet...it really only takes an hour for the consult. Just E-mail me at ____@____.com with questions. Hope I can help you get out of pain! If you end up having any pelvic pain postpartum, please contact me as well for PT. I see a lot of this too.

Take care, and good luck.

C. Cox, PT
###-###-####
www.FitMamasSA.com

PS-Send any pregnant friends to the Fit Mamas website. Ladies who start this program early typically stay active and pain free through out pregnancy.

I didn't read all the responses, so forgive me if I am repeating.

THE BEST METHOD, IMO, is to fill your bath tub with warm water, less than 100 degrees, and float on your tummy. I know it sounds tricky, and you must have a tub that will accomodate such a feat, but it really works.

You may need to invest in a belly belt to help support the weight until the time comes.

My very best!!

Sherri

(Don't forget to get your maternity portraits done if you haven't already.)

Hi K..
A friend of mine let me borrow her around the waist "belly sling". It wrapped around my lower back and underneath my belly. It helped lift my belly and relieved my back. It helped a great deal. I'm sure you can buy them at Babies R Us or maybe even Motherhood Maternity. You might even try second hand stores.

I felt a lot of pressure with my second baby toward the end. It was so significant that I called my doc because it really felt like she was going to fall out!! Turns out I had an infection that was causing it. They treated that and I felt like a new woman! Check with your doc- I never knew an infection could cause that feeling.

Yes K.. I had a c-section with my son so I can tell you alot about pelvic pain. I am a massage therapist of 15 years and I can tell you that massage does wonders for this discomfort. Are you doing any stretching or yoga, because these help as well!

Thanks,
L.

I mostly just laid around and cried... but my sister also balanced on the yoga ball, and she said it worked wonders. I would use a heating pad (or a thick cotton man's sock filled with dry rice heated in the microwave) and that would help too.

I used a chiropractor - and I LOVE her.

Just make sure you find someone who has experience and training on pregnant women.