Early one morning about 4 months before my son’s due date, I stood up out of bed. A horrendous stabbing pain shot through my lower pelvic area and thighs. It hit me so hard I immediately fell to the floor. I didn’t even have time to reach out to the wall or bed to catch myself. One second I was on my feet, the next I was on the floor. I tried to move but couldn’t. I just lay there. Eventually the pain went away enough that I could crawl back into bed.
I thought maybe it was a freak accident and tried a while later to stand up but the pain shot through me again. This time I fell back onto my mattress. I had to use the bathroom so I slowly lowered myself to the floor and crawled there, hoisted myself up on the toilet and crawled back and hoisted myself back into bed.
I wrote a post on Facebook explaining what I had experienced and I was flooded with comments from kind friends explaining what they thought it could be. The majority of them said, Sciatica.
I began doing research and found out as much as I could about not only Sciatica but anything that could explain the pain I was feeling and the symptoms I had.
I read all the pregnancy forums, articles, medical journals and anything I could find on the subject. Everything I read pointed to Sciatica.
My OB and midwives diagnosed me with having Sciatica.
I went to a pregnancy chiropractor and although she helped me significantly with the weekly alignments, she had a similar diagnosis. Sciatica.
I even cried with a lady down the street who has been a long time sufferer of Sciatica. It was one of the kindest things. She read my post and later at church she came over to me and told me she has been a long time sufferer of it and gave me a hug and we just commiserated together.
So naturally, I thought I had Sciatica. I didn’t. And not knowing the correct diagnosis caused me an immense amount of both physical and emotional pain.
It wasn’t even until I sat down to write this article that I found out I actually had Pelvic Girdle Pain. (Originally I was going to write about pregnancy-related-Sciatica and what to do to help with the pain). After I found out that what I suffered from for four long months was Pelvic Girdle Pain, I was in denial. Everyone I knew, including medical professionals, and my friends all thought I had Sciatica. But I kept reading and researching until I was convinced everyone’s (including my own) diagnosis of my pain was wrong.
When I was sure about the misdiagnosis, I hung my head and couldn’t help but cry. I cried because of the intense fear that I had had while pregnant – that I’d have Sciatica for life – was unnecessary. I cried because of the guilt I experienced when other pregnant women would say that they have/had Sciatica too and it wasn’t ‘all that bad’. I cried because of the constant worry I had had for four months about whether I would be able to care for a newborn without being able to consistently walk. And I cried because the correct diagnosis of Pelvic Girdle Pain could have significantly changed my pregnancy and reduced my pain.
Recently, experts and pregnancy websites have come out and said that if you are/were pregnant and think or have been told you have/had Sciatica, most likely you DO/DID NOT have it and that it is/was actually Pelvic Girdle Pain. That was a little confusing to read so here is Babycenter.com’s exact quote, “If you think, or have been told, that you have Sciatica, 99% of the time you have PGP.”
This may make you mad. It may make you scream at the computer and say but I SUFFERED or am SUFFERING from Sciatica… it may even make you cry, like it did me. 1% of you have/had it… the 99% of us don’t/didn’t.
Like I briefly mentioned, most of the things I was told to do to relieve pain associated with Sciatica caused me additional pain. And when something is already so painful you feel like you have a knife in your pelvic bone, and have to crawl around on your knees to get anywhere, adding extra pain is just something you can’t afford to do. Yet, trying to treat PGP like it was Sciatica is, in most cases, exactly what I did.
For example:
- When you have Sciatica they recommend you not sit still or lie down for long periods of time and keep moving. This caused me an enormous amount of pain, stress, and guilt because I found that moving caused me additional pain. I didn’t want to be ‘lazy’ so I kept trying to move and it made things worse. So finally I gave into my body, I put myself on semi-bed rest, and began to feel much, much better. Yet, I still had guilt every day for being in bed when everything I heard and read said, I ‘should’ be up moving. Contrary to this advice, when you have bad PGP you are supposed to rest as much as possible.
- When you have Sciatica they recommend you lightly exercise. If I exercised (even lightly), I was basically doomed to crawl for the next few days because of the intense pain it had caused. But, when you have severe PGP they tell you to not exercise and if you do exercise, take it very easy because the pain is relative to your activity. Basically, you will be in more pain the more you move, which I found to be very true.
- When you have Sciatica they tell you it has to do with your nerves, spine and discs. Besides treatments that are dangerous while pregnant, expensive procedures, and pain pills (which I did not want to take for sake of my son) there is very little to nothing you can do for it. With PGP you can do many things to relieve the pain. You can get chiropractic adjustments, physiotherapy, osteopathy, acupuncture, and do many techniques at home to help to realign your pelvis. And there are other things mentioned below that can help as well.
- When you have Sciatica they tell you that it is a lifelong condition and is not specifically pregnancy related. Meaning most likely it is from an injury and the pregnancy just made it worse AND it’s not going to go away. Since I was an amateur snowboarder I had had multiple injuries, I thought that it probably came from that. This caused me a ridiculous amount of fear thinking and wondering about how I was going to care for a newborn if I couldn’t even walk. When you hear these discouraging things, you really are left hopeless, wondering if you are destined to a life of crutches, medicine, and pain. With PGP they tell you the pain will go away when you have the baby or soon after.
- And when you think you have Sciatica, women and people can make rude comments that hurt emotionally. Some I heard were, “I had Sciatica and it wasn’t that bad.”, “Oh, it’s just a little Sciatica”, “My friend had Sciatica and was still able to exercise, or walk fine, or__________”. After all, people typically think Sciatica is a pinched nerve. So shouldn’t one pinched nerve feel like another’s pinched nerve? So if one person can exercise with ‘Sciatica’ then the next should be able to as well, right? It does sound logical and if what we all really had was Sciatica perhaps it would be true. But, when you are suffering from PGP you understand that there is a range of pain people feel.
PELVIC GIRDLE PAIN
PGP is a condition that happens to many pregnant women when the pelvic area is tilted, slanted, or out of alignment. The amount that the pelvic bone is tilted slanted or out of alignment is in direct correlation to the pain a woman feels. Think of it like this. Most women experience some form of pelvic discomfort while pregnant, so most are going to understand what it feels like to have the pelvic area hurt. But, the pelvis can be a tiny bit off, completely twisted, tilted forward or backward, or going all different directions at once. The pain can range significantly based on a woman’s pelvis, say on a scale from 1-10 (1-being slight discomfort and 10- being you can’t even walk).
Understanding PGP could have helped me explain it to those making ignorant rude comments. Or perhaps I would have just smiled and brushed it off. Not knowing this, I was left wondering if I had an extremely low pain threshold. Or if I was making excuses because I didn’t want to be able to walk (who really doesn’t want to walk?), or work (understandable), or shop (if anyone knows me they know I love to coupon and shop!). I doubted myself and wondered if I had just turned into a ‘complainer’, or if I was just a loser and had become a completely irrational pregnant woman. Seriously, I had these thoughts and I had them often.
PGP is a very real and serious diagnosis and I am certainly NOT SAYING that it is more or less painful than Sciatica. Only that it is different. With all this misdiagnosis it is not surprising that symptoms are very similar, almost the same and that is why it is so commonly misunderstood.
The few things that helped me diagnose myself correctly are:
1- With Sciatica, the pain usually goes down into your lower legs and feet (mine was more localized to my Pelvic area).
2- With Sciatica, the pain is usually on one side (PGP is either one side or both and mine was both).
3- With Sciatica, the pain waxes and wanes and is often numbing (my pain was very consistent and I never felt numb without use of ice-packs).
Using the remedies of both diagnoses I was able to figure it out.
- Almost everything that should make someone feel better with Sciatica made me feel worse.
- Everything that should make someone feel better with PGP, made me feel better.
The reason why this article is entitled a ‘common’ medical misdiagnosis, is because most women who have experienced any type of pelvic pain have been told or thought that it is/was sciatica. I was told by over 50 women who said they all experienced some form of sciatica. 49.5% of them didn’t know that what they really had was PGP. I’m hoping that my experience can help others.
What Helped Me to Relieve What-I-Thought-Was-Sciatica,
but What Really-Was-Pelvic-Girdle-Pain
- One of the best things for extreme PGP is resting! Seriously, talk to your doctor or midwife and tell them the situation you are in. See if they think it would be appropriate to put you on bed-rest or a semi-bed-rest schedule. This is may help you ask your boss if you can work from home or tell friends, families, etc. that you can’t make it to certain functions or activities without them being offended. It can help to remove any guilt you may have for not being active and involved like you once were.
- Frequent pelvic treatments (physiotherapy, chiropractic therapy, osteopathy, physical therapy, etc.) When you are pregnant you have the hormones Relaxin and progesterone in your body which loosen and soften your bone structure. It is very easy for things to get moved out of place. So these treatments may not last as long as you would like, yet they are very helpful. Luckily, I had a few friends who said they had sciatica and told me to try a chiropractor. Not surprisingly, (since I really had PGP) the chiropractic treatments really helped!! Although the adjustments were painful, I could walk without debilitating pain for a few days after. Because the Relaxin and progesterone I would have to go back every 3-5 days. It was expensive but worth it!
- A mattress topper WAS HEAVEN – Get a thick dense mattress foam topper, like this one. If you can’t afford a new one, buy a relatively new used one. They are worth their weight in gold.
- Pillows, especially this Boppy pregnancy pillow. Pillows helped me sleep and lie soooo much more comfortably. Lie on your side, put a pillow in between your legs, one under your knees, one under your feet, one on each side, and some under your neck and head. Other women have found success by sleeping in a very comfortable recliner.
- Before you stand up, do this movement and it will help to realign your pelvic bone. A physical therapist told my friend, who then told me and I couldn’t believe how well it worked!
Here are photographs of how to do it…
7. Wear flat shoes- This really could go unsaid because if you have really bad PGP high heels look like a death trap, but needless to say, avoid them.
8- Go to a professional chiropractor or the like that can measure your legs. If one is shorter than the other they will give you a little rubber lift to put into your shoe. This will help your pelvis remained aligned for longer. Even using a lift, I still required an adjustment every 7-10 days but it made the pain less intense and helped my adjustment last longer.
9. Use crutches, a walker, a cane, or a wheelchair. Use them when you have to do something and know you may not be able to without assistance. Don’t feel ashamed, they are there for people who are in extreme pain like you.
10. A belly band– I invested in a very high quality belly band like this. It helped a lot when I wore it.
11. Ice- Heat made things worse for me, (bye bye warm baths)… The ice numbs the pain. With my PGP I had the pain all over my lower back, pelvic bone, hip bones, buttocks, and back upper thighs, yet icing all over for a few minutes did bring relief.
12. Subsequent pregnancies may not be as bad. This is an update two years after writing this article. After having my son, I was terrified of having another and going through this pain again. Add to that the fact I had a one and a half year old to care for made me very anxious. But the good news is, my daughter was positioned much differently than my son. She wasn’t twisting and pushing on my pelvic bones. I still had slight pelvic pain and saw a chiropractor once every six or so weeks, but the pain was manageable and not debilitating like it was my first pregnancy. So just know, you may have it better if there is a next time around. End of update.
Finally, there is hope. A few days before I went into labor (when my son was down further in the birth canal), I was up walking and feeling better than I had in months. I was on the treadmill, taking long walks and enjoying the freedom and the ability to walk again. (Walking is something I’ll never take for granted again).
The day after I came home from the hospital my mom asked me, “Did you have stitches”, I said, “yes” and she said, “You would never know it, you are moving so much better than I have seen you move in months!” I told her it was because the ‘Sciatica’ (really the PGP) pain was gone.
5 months post-partum I ran a 5K and at 7 months postpartum I ran my first 10k. I have been able to be active and take care of my son without any pelvic pain. Some people do experience this pain for a few months postpartum, but getting alignments and some of the other techniques that help with PGP should help it go away.
All Pelvic Girdle Pain and Sciatica sufferers deserve the upmost respect and compassion that their friends, families, and acquaintances can bestow. They need love, sympathy, hope, and encouragement for what they have been through or are going through. Because of the unbelievable pain they endure, they truly deserve it.
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Oh my Anita, I cried when I read this – I really did. About as much as I cried the first time I tried to get up off the couch and couldn’t because I was paralyzed with pelvic pain. My doctor said the same thing – sciatic pain. A lot of times I literally couldn’t walk. I gave up on sleeping in bed because I would spend the whole night awake – when I needed to roll over to the other side I couldn’t because my pelvis hurt too much, and when I needed to get up to go to the bathroom 10 times a night, I would lie there for 30 minutes first, thinking about how much it was going to hurt to try to get my body down the hall. JUST LIKE YOU SAID – The only thing that ever helped was chiropractic adjustments. Everyone said to go on walks to “loosen up” but I just COULDN’T walk. When we go to the grocery store, my husband pushes me in a wheelchair. Last week I quit going to school because I couldn’t make it from my handicapped parking space to my classroom. And when I started staying at home all day, lying down, sitting, resting, after a few days I started to feel better. My favorite part of your article is where you said that a few days before you delivered you felt great and were walking again – when I woke up yesterday there was no pain for the first time in a long time and I could walk normally. Hopefully that means I’m within a few days too! Thanks for writing this article – I’m so glad I know for next time, and it’s a HUGE relief just to understand what has been going on. I hope lots of people are directed to your blog and don’t have to go through the physical and emotional trauma of misdiagnosis!
@Dani Martin- oh i’m so glad you commented. I’m really so sorry about the pain you have been in/through. It is unbelievably bad… I’m happy this has helped and especially that your pain is subsiding! Yep you are probably just hours (maybe a day or two away!). Thanks for letting me know that it was beneficial to read, it means a lot. I’m so excited for you and your SOON to be baby! Good luck
I am 37 weeks pregnant with my third baby and have pubis symphisis dysfunction for the first time. I have had it since 20 weeks and I am so glad I did my own research and figured out what I had because my doctor wasn’t taking anything I said seriously. Sometimes it does feel like you are going crazy! I also found a prenatal chiropractor on my own who I see 2 to 3 times a week. I am so thankful dor her help because I wouldn’t be walking at all without it. It is so hard to take care of the other kiddos with this condition and I am so thankful that this pregnancy is close to the end. Thank you for all the information provided here. I get a lot of women acting like I am being overreacting or dramatic, especially when I have to use the wheelchair for outings. I think the information you have provided will be very helpful to others!
Caitlin- I am so sorry about your SPD. That must be extremely taxing esp. with 2 other children. How did you do it? I am nervous to have another child mainly because if the PGP comes back I am not sure how I will be able to take care of him that well. I’d love to hear of how you did it. I am very glad you found this article helpful. I hope it does help others. I’m sorry that some women may judge you for using a wheelchair. They must be uneducated and ill informed. You are creating a miracle and for some unlucky people that miracle comes with extreme chronic pain. I hope you have a wonderful delivery and that all goes well for you!
Thank you for writing this! 🙂 I’m 31 weeks pregnant with my 4th child and I’ve got pgp as well. I’ve had it for all of my pregnancies and for the last two,it’s how I knew I was again pregnant…the pain returned.:( It seems like it has gotten progressively worse with each pregnancy to the point of completely debilitating me at times. Even lying on my back was excruciating,my hips felt like they were spreading so far apart I would break in two! 🙁 I’ve resorted to a tight belt around my hips,a wheelchair,walker and Tylenol. I’m glad to see your suggestions here though,I’ll certainly give them a try!
I am so sorry about your pain! I can say that you are AMAZING to make it 31 weeks with 3 other children and PGP. What a bleak time it must be for you. I hope these suggestions do help you.
One thing I didn’t mention in the article is that research does show that with each pregnancy PGP does become more painful and intense. So I can see that you are in an inordinate amount of pain. Another thing I didn’t mention is that if your insurance doesn’t cover chiropractic care and if a chiropractor does help you, you could ask for a package deal (like 10 adjustments) for a significant discount. Just an idea to save money. Thanks for the comment. Congratulations on making it 31 weeks and I send my best wishes for you and your family.
Hi Anita- I’m 37 weeks pregnant and early in the pregnancy I felt a sharp stabbing pain in my lower back that I think was sciatica… it went away after about a month and I was pain free for a bit…then I started noticing an ache in my right labia lip and thought it might be a varicose vein since the pain wasn’t constant…but for the past few weeks the ache has intensified and localized right in front on my pubic bone. It is beyond painful to try to roll over in bed or even just readjust my positioning when I’m laying down. After doing a lot of internet research I believe its SPD. It has me so sad and worried about how it will affect my labor exerience… I had really wanted to go natural with no epidural but am wondering if thats possible. I have discussed what I thought were the ‘normal pregnancy pains’ with my doctor but I’m curious how she will react when I bring this up. My fear is that it wont be taken seriously… is there a sure fire way they can diagnose it?
Maria- I’m so sorry to hear about your pain. You will most likely need to go to a specialist in PGP and sciatica. Ask around, google, and see if you can find a doctor or chiropractor or someone who is VERY experienced in this kind of pain. If it is PGP then the pain will most likely decrease significantly as the baby drops. If it is sciatica I don’t really know how labor will be because I didn’t have it. I’m so sorry. I’d definitely recommend asking around if your doctor does not take you seriously. Best of luck!
I found out I had pgp months after I delivered my fourth. It was such a relief to realize I wasn’t a complete wuss! I wish I had known what I know now. Thank you so much for shining a light on such a real and extremely painful part of pregnancy that can be helped! Those exercises are also the exercises I was told to do by a highly accredited PT. They work!
Lisa- I’m sorry you had to endure through PGP. You weren’t a wuss at all! I’m glad you knew about the exercises, they sure did help. Thanks for commenting!
During my last pregnancy, my husband was in Afghanistan and i was at home with a toddler and a big belly. I would lay and cry. I had to call my dad who was three hours away to come get me out of bed before my toddler woke up. I would low crawl into the bathroom and kitchen. One day I slipped on my wood floor and heard load pops and felt them from my knees to my shoulders… it all stopped hurting for a few days. When it came back it was pure hell. The Drs would blow me off and say I was over doing it or that I needed muscle relaxers or that it was from old army injuries. I had ONE “doctor” some kid that was there for school and working towards a residancy say, “you should be in a lot of pain, your cervix is tilted and you pelvis twisted”. She looked at me and said, “do not tell the Dr I did this”, and reajusted my hips, pelvis, spine and neck. She also said for me to argue if anyone said it had anything to do with my siadic nerve. The Dr walked in and our conversation was over and well, I was golden for a few more days. I started working to realign my hips and pelvis myself and was able to move, somewhat, again. I never knew the name for this, im glad I do now as I am 14 weeks into pregnacy number 3 and I am already sleeping with a pillow between my legs and i will know what to say to my Dr.
Amanda- Oh I’m so sorry. What a horrible situation. Yeah I’m pregnant again too and I’m just counting the days down until I can’t walk again. It’s so frustrating to not be understood or believed. I’m so sorry you’ve had bad Dr.s. I’m glad that the one readjusted you. Chiropractic help is amazing but like you said, the adjustment only lasts a few days. Good luck and I hope you can get adjusted more frequently so you are in less pain.
I too struggled with PGP. After three days off not being able to walk I saw my chiropractor. Thankfully my chiropractor was a father of four and knew exactly what was wrong with me. I rested and bought a pregnancy belt. Whenever I was going to be very active I wore my belt faithfully. I had a one year old at the same time so being active was a regular part of life. One of the best things was a lift in my shoe. Again, my fabulous chiropractor gave it to me. I had to wear it faithfully every time I was on my feet, but it provide just enough of a tilt to my pelvis that my pain almost vanished! I wore it the last three months of my pregnancy and shortly after the birth of my daughter I no longer needed it. My suggestion- try everything and find out what works best. Pregnancy should be enjoyed not endured.
Thank you so much for bring up this conversation! More women should know!
Lynsie- Wow I can’t thank you enough for this comment! I never knew that there were lifts that go in shoes! I will definitely try that out for sure. I’m sorry you were in so much pain! Yes being pregnant again I’ve already started getting the PGP if I’m too active. I’ll look into a lift and into a chiropractor that utilizes them!
I, too, have been misdiagnosed with sciatic when it is truly PGP. I just had to chime in and mention one more thing that has been a lifesaver for me. A tennis ball. Before I get out of bed or it is really bothering me ( which is most of the time like you ladies) I will sit on the tennis ball on the most tender spots on my butt and either move my bent leg up and down to get the muscle to move over the ball or wiggle slightly to work on the tender spot. It has REALLY helped me with my pain. It has been the ONLY thing to help relieve any pain for me. I can’t guarantee it would work for everyone but please give it a try to see if it will…it is SOOOOO worth it if it helps! God Bless you all and your sweet babies.
Catherine- Thank you for the comment. I will try a tennis ball. I have watched some videos online about using one for PGP. I also went into a different and better chiropractor (today actually) because I’m pregnant again and the pain has started. He gave me a wedge to put in my shoe to make my legs the same length. Something another reader mentioned helped her. So far it has been helping. For future readers…I suggest if you are going to a chiropractor who doesn’t offer a wedge (despite having different length of legs while pregnant) to go see a different more professional one. Thanks again for your comment!
I cried reading this… I have been in so much pain and of course everyone says sciatic and to keep moving and to put heat on it. Last night I did heat and OMG it hurt worse than before. The more I move the more I can’t walk. I have been in so much pain – can’t even walk at time or even stand up from a seated position. I will be sure to mention this to my dr.
Thank you again
Denise
I’m so so sorry for your pain and suffering! Just another tip: I just discovered by going to a new and better chiropractor that I need a lift in my shoe to help keep my pelvis aligned. Since using the lift and being adjusted really well I have been 70% better!! So please seek out a good chiropractor that can measure your legs, realign your pelvis and give you a little rubber wedge to keep your legs the same length. I have also heard physical therapy and a tennis ball work wonders too. Good luck!
Thank you so much for writing about this issue! I suffered with this during my first pregnancy. My doctor knew what it was right away but still did not realize how much pain I was in. It felt like my pelvis was literally going to crack in half and the bones rubbed together with every tiny step. I used a wheelchair for long outings and I slept in a recliner chair the last 4 months of pregnancy which was truly a lifesaver. It is a really painful thing to go through, but obviously, so worth it in the end. And for me, the pain was almost completely gone two weeks after birth. Next time I will definitely look into chiropractic care. Thank you
Jen- You are welcome! I’m so sorry you had to suffer through this. Yes it is excruciatingly painful! Make sure to get a really good chiropractor. I just found a new one and I’m already doing way better than my last chiropractor during my last pregnancy made me feel. Also, as mentioned in other comments, ask for a lift if your legs are different lengths, it really helps keep the pelvis aligned. It doesn’t make it pain free but on a scale of 1-10. 10 being not being able to walk using a lift and getting regular adjustments has taken me to about a 7 on the pain scale. Definitely a welcome relief. Good Luck!
Ok, what about after you have the baby? Do you still have problems with stiffness and kind of some pain? I had this issue and I was told it was sciatica…reading this I know it was not. I went through two pregnancies without knowing this, also to this day something is still misaligned. I just know it is. But I am so scared of going to a chiropractor because I can not stand the sound of bones popping. My children are about to turn 2 in November and 3 in December (yes they are 11 months a part)… and I still sometimes have some issues with my hip and pelvic region. Not near as bad as when I was pregnant though.
GREAT ARTICLE!
Abby- Thanks for your comment. Some women have PGP after they have their babies. I would highly recommend going to a physical therapist or good chiropractor. Your legs may be different lengths and wearing a small leg lift may help keep your pelvic bones in place. Usually the pain does go away after you get realigned and adjusted. Seek out a really good professional and if they don’t measure your legs I’d ask them too.
My first chiropractor popped me a lot, the second was very very gentle and surprisingly more effective. So I’d recommend finding one that uses a vibrating aligner instead of the gun (which is more intense). Also, a chiropractor that uses beds that move instead of doing everything manually.
so far this is my experience. Good luck!
I’m 31 weeks pregnant currently and have suffered with this since about 20 weeks. I live in the UK so general advice may well be different.
I have been told that the support belts are ok, but should only be used in times of desperate measures(for example late into the pregnancy and/or for times when you have to be out and about for long periods) as its doing the job that your own muscles should be doing holding everything up and if you use it too much/too early your own muscles get lazy.
Also Abby, if you are concerned about chiropractors and popping joints, see an osteopath. Mine is a pregnancy specialist and does something called cranial osteopathy on me which is super gentle, most of the time it barely feels like she’s doing much at all, but it sure as hell works, and I see her on a Monday just to get me through the rest of my working week as a nurse or there is no way i’d be able to walk up and down the wards all week. I hate paying out for an osteopath but i’d never be able to leave my house otherwise.
Now I just have the problem that my baby is laying in such a position that he fidgets and bashes me in the spine- ouch!
I’m so sorry! Great tip on the cranial osteopath!! My mom swears by them. I want to try one out as well. Best of luck for the rest of your pregnancy and I hope your baby moves positions!
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! This is my third pregnancy and only experienced PGP with my second pregnancy. I am 20 weeks and have felt it coming back again with this pregnancy. I have two 4 yr olds (one is my stepdaughter and a 12 month old and am terrified of feeling those excruciating pains again with so many little ones that need me. Thank you for writing this and including the things that helped you because with my last pregnancy I had no help from anyone and the doctors acted like they hadn’t heard of PGP before and acted as if I was exaggerating my pain. During my last pregnancy I got in a hot bath (per my doctors orders) and could not get out of the tub. I was in such terrible pain I sat there and cried, even my husband couldn’t help me out because I screamed in pain each time he lifted me. It was terrible. Thank you so much for the detailed info and help. Hopefully this pregnancy will be better.
You are very welcome! I’m really so so sorry that this has is something you have to go through! So far this pregnancy has been less painful because I’m staying a lot more sedentary, I use a leg lift, and I’ve gone to a better chiropractor. It’s very tough with kids so I feel for you. Good luck and I do hope many of these things help!
Although I have never been pregnant, I had a pelvic malalignment that went incorrectly diagnosed for months as sciatica. It wasn’t until I made a provider give me a physical therapy referral that I was finally diagnosed. Once they put everything back in place, it was like night and day – prior to, I had gotten stuck on the floor and could NOT get up! I was 24! All that to say, this article even made me feel better. Being wrongly diagnosed with sciatica was extremely frustrating and I’m glad that, even with different causes, I feel less alone. Now, I’m training for a triathlon and do yoga and stretching to help my hips stay in place.
Maggie- Thanks for sharing your experience! I really appreciate it. I’m sorry you had to go through this. It is interesting that they misdiagnosed you with sciatica and you had a pelvic issue and weren’t pregnant. I guess it makes total sense though since they make the same mistake with pregnant women! I’m so glad you have relief and are doing so much better!!! Thanks so much for your comment!
Like most of the people who’ve commented, finding this was a miracle. I don’t know where I’d be without hearing this.
Everything you said pretty much explains what I’ve been going through. I’ve noticed that the triggers for my pain are walking, sitting on the floor, turning my torso a lot (like rolling in bed or baking cookies), or even sitting or laying with my weight unevenly distributed between my hips. I’ve had to completely give up grocery shopping and really limit any other shopping I do (aka no big box stores or malls for me anymore).
The one thing that you didn’t mention that happened to me is that one of my hips would sometimes come out of alignment dramatically. It never dislocated (thank God, I can’t imagine what that pain would be like), but if I’d roll out of bed wrong, walk too much, or even sit with my weight distributed wrong, my hip would come “out” to the point where I couldn’t walk without it feeling like the hip wasn’t in the socket any longer. Sometimes it would feel like my hip was just out to the side so that when I walked (ok, limped pathetically) my hip felt like it was rolling. This last time, though, the pain was more in my lower back and the only way I could limp was if I turned my foot all the way out to the side and dragged it behind me. The good thing is that when this happens, if I sit in a good chair with my weight evenly distributed (ouch!) then my hip eventually goes back “in.”
I’ve also had a major issue with doctors believing me. They go right to sciatica, push on my sciatic nerve and when I don’t react, they tell me its not sciatica and that the pain is “normal.” Ha! I even brought my husband to appointments to back me up and when we suggested PGP or SPD we were blown off. I went to the ER the last time my hip went out. Just to see if we could get a doctor to believe us. My hip was already back “in” at that point and the dr. we saw was not an ob/gyn so we didn’t get a PGP diagnosis, but what he *did* say was that he thought the sciatic nerve cord (a group of nerves not just the sciatic nerve) had slipped into my hip joint and that was what was responsible for pushing my hip so far out of alignment. He pushed up on the nerve cord and I’ve been feeling better and haven’t had my hip come “out” for the last four weeks. Its my opinion that the nerve cord slipping into the hip is just a side-affect of the PGP because I’m still experiencing PGP pain… just without the more extreme hip displacement.
I just wanted to pass this on for all of you who might be going through something similar. I’m currently 36 weeks and switching ob/gyns because I am so fed up with not being believed. We’re going for an elective c-section (which my old ob/gyn doesn’t provide) because I cannot imagine my hip going “out” while being in labor. And I don’t even know how to start a conversation with a doctor about the potential risks/side affects/precautions of a vaginal labor if they just think I’m making all this up.
Good luck with your pregnancy, Anita! I hope it goes as smoothly as possible for you.
I’m so so sorry! What a miserable situation. I totally empathize, except I didn’t find out what I had until after I was pregnant so my Dr. didn’t have the chance to disagree. This next pregnancy I told my OB that I had PGP and she didn’t question it and believed me. So I’d recommend taking that course with your new OB. Just straight up tell them. This is what I have because I’m experiencing X,Y,Z symptoms. Good for you for standing up for yourself and taking the initiative to get the medical attention and help you deserve!
I just had my baby 3 months ago. She was a girl so she was sitting higher up. Luckily my PGP was mild compared to the completely debilitating pain I had with my son. As long as I went to a really good chiropractor a few times a month I was more or less able to walk until the end. Just a ray of hope if you are planning on perhaps having another. Some babies position themselves differently and can be less painful.
best! Hugs! and good luck!
I just got diagnose with PGP after 3 years. This happened to me after I gave birth.My question is on your second pregnancy, did had a vaginal birth or c-section?I love to give my baby girl a sister or a brother later on my i ust know dont what is best? thank you
I had a vaginal delivery. My daughter was positioned differently so the PGP wasn’t nearly as bad. I’d recommend consulting a professional though in your effort to decide. Also, as mentioned, once my son dropped into the birth canal the PGP pain all but disappeared.
Thanks for this wonderful post Anita. I have suffered with PGP with all my pregnancies and am 39 weeks with my third. The worst thing like you said is that people think you are exaggerating your condition. In my first pregnancy my doctor diagnosed sciatica but later I was told by a midwife at the hospital that it sounds more like pgp and sure enough after researching it I knew it was that. When I asked the doctor for a referral to physio on account of my pgp, both he and the nurse didn’t know what I was talking about! I’m glad it’s being bought to people’s attention, thanks to people like yourself and that wonderful midwife I spoke to. Just lastly something that really helped me was a fitted satin sheet on my bed, it was so much easier to turn in bed. Admittedly I never went to a chiropractor, luckily I’ve been able to manage without but it has been hard looking after my two toddlers (I have a 3 yo and 1 1/2yo) as I got pregnant really quickly. Anyway, thanks again. Best of luck to all fellow pgp-ers, hope you get taken seriously
Thanks so much! Great suggestion. I’m so sorry you are suffering through it again and with two kids on the loose. Wow you poor thing. I hope it is less painful this time around as it was for me during my second. Best wishes!
Thanks for this article Anita. I realised at about 19 weeks that I had PGP as well, I researched it myself and when I saw my doctor she confirmed what I already knew.
I am 24 weeks now and the pain is has gotten slightly worse, walking seems to be such a difficult task now and its really getting me down.. I have been seeing an acupuncturist for the last month and sometimes it offers relief but sometimes I leave feeling just as bad as I did going in, it is so frustrating. I saw a chiro once and she adjusted my pelvis but my physio said it mightn’t be the best thing for my pregnant body. Did you have to continue with your realignments after the birth of your baby? I wouldn’t like to have to continually go to a chiro but if it was just necessary for the next four months whilst I am pregnant I would continue with it..
Also I was just wondering how your labour went when you had severe PGP? I have read that water births are great for people who suffer with pelvic pain but unfortunately the hospital where I am giving birth does not have this option.
Also thanks so much for your tips, I had been researching support bands and couldn’t decide which one to go with so on your advice I have ordered the band you recommended in the article.. I am excited for it to arrive as I’ve read a lot about the relief that they offer.
I have just one more question, you developed the pain at around 4 months pregnant and did it get progressively worse as the baby grew or did it just stay the same? I realise that every woman and body is different but I am stressing myself out thinking the worst so it would be nice to hear from women who have experienced PGP about how their last trimester went..
Thanks again and congrats on your new baby..
Hari
Hari- I’m so sorry you are suffering from PGP! How awful! The chiropractor did help for about 4-5 days at a time on my first pregnancy so I scheduled them about once a week. My second pregnancy was a girl and she was sitting higher up so the pain never did get debilitating. THANKFULLY!! I went to a chiro once every 5 weeks and that seemed to really with the minor PGP I did have. Chiropractic adjustments help a lot.
With my first the pain did get progressively worse until walking became impossible—unless I went to a chiropractor weekly. I’d recommend researching and finding a really good one. I only went once after birth and then was pretty much fine after that.
The support band did help, a leg lift helped (little piece of plastic given to me by the chiropractor) helped. Also, a walker, wheel chair, or crutches will probably do more to help you. Resting is best.
When my son dropped into the birth canal the PGP was GONE! Thus, although I have prolonged labors and contracted for 4 days I was in less pain than before he dropped. An epidural of course numbs it all. So that is a great way to go for PGP if you aren’t opposed to it.
God Bless… this is the worst pain and I’m so sorry you are dealing with it!
Thank you for this! I had my first baby in May 2012 via C-section. My PGP started in the last few weeks of pregnancy but continued sporadically until I got pregnant again in January. It’s now daily pain not just from walking long distances like in between pregnancies. I have read a few articles showing that some cases of PGP continue after pregnancy if delivered via C-section. I am going to physical therapy and doing light exercises to strengthen the muscles around the pelvis and have found this sacroiliac belt to be a life saver. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NIFVLW/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000NIFVLW&linkCode=as2&tag=liliyoarri-20&linkId=2W5K6QKYUORWEHGR
I found a great OB who is willing to let me try a VBAC and hopefully that will solve my non-pregnant issues 😉
Oh I hope it does!!! I’m so sorry. And thanks for the reference on that belt, it looks great. I have never heard that if you deliver via C section the PGP might not go away but it does make sense. I wish you the best and am hoping you get to deliver VBAC!
I cannot thank you ENOUGH for writing about this! I am SO sorry you had to go through it. Truly. Because I am right now and it is absolutely excruciating! I knew it wasn’t sciatica because it wasn’t radiating anywhere else…but I didn’t know what it was!!! Neither did either of my chiropractors. Thank you thank you. And you are amazing for running the races after pregnancy!!! You are an inspiration and so happy I found this blog. 🙂
You’re Welcome! Thanks so much for the kind comment. I wish you the best. It is so painful and wearing but it will pay off!
I have localized pain in my right buttocks and right hip occsionally. Is it possible that this is PGP? I am only 12 weeks and the pain is excrutiating. I have never had any back problems before and I just assumed it was sciatica as that is what everyone else has told me. There is no pain in my legs or back. I hope to find some relief in some of these remedies! I’m so happy to have found your article!
Hey Shane
Definitely could be. I’ve had PGP since week 5. WEEK 5! And it varies from left only, to right only, to evenly spread. Each time I visit the physio or osteopath when it’s uneven they manage to even it out.
Anita, I’m now 26 weeks and after reading this article and every reply, I’m going to try a chiropractor as I’ve previously only used physios and osteos (neither or which have helped significantly) and might also try acupuncture to help get me through to the end.
Thanks for writing about this.
You’re welcome. Good luck and congratulations on your pregnancy!
I am so happy to have found your article! I am 33 weeks pregnant with my second child and I’ve been suffering with PGP for quite a few weeks now. It’s debilitating! Plus having a toddler to look after has been really hard. I was told by certain professionals that my back was ‘a little bit out’ but I have finally got on to a brilliant physiotherapist that understand what I am going through. I am seeing her regularly and I’m now on crutches which is making it all more bareable. I have also signed up for a water birth which I hope will make birth bareable! My biggest concern however was can I do this again as we really would like to have more children in the future. I’ve seen through your comments that you have had another child (congrats!) while successfully being able to manage your PGP. This really gives me hope!
Thank you Thank you. I too cried when I read this. You hit the nail on the head with the symptoms and emotion duress. I’ve been feeling so guilty and wimpy about my pain (30+5) but now I know this is real and not me being a baby. I did feel much better the less I exercised, but then I’d exercise some more and the pain came back the very next day. My husband and cat would laugh at me when I crawled around the carpet, so it’s so nice to know I’m not alone.
Thanks for all the info and tips. I’ll find a chiropractor to get through the next 10wks!
Your article was a godsend for me.
Thanks Jennifer. I’m sorry you are going through this! I truly hope you get feeling better. I’m glad you found it!
Anita!! that you so so much for this article…I’ve been dealing with this PGP after my baby was born(18 months ago).As I’m writing to you right now my right hip and lower back are killing me with so much pain…anyways thank you!!
You’re welcome. I hope you are able to get your pelvis aligned and that it stays! I’m sorry you are dealing with this postpartum! lately, I’ve had it flair up a little here a little there. Going to the chiropractor usually keeps it feeling good for months at a time when I’m not pregnant.
Hi Elizabeth,
I would like to know how you are going now, as my wife has been battling with this pelvic pain for more than two years after the birth of our third.
My wife (Michele) has battled through two years of Physiotherapy until finally unable to walk, dress, shower or toilet by herself without my help.
We are waiting for her first round of Prolotherapy injections,three in total, which are designed to shorten and strengthen the ligaments that hold the pelvis together. I just wanted to let you know if you haven’t already been pointed in this direction that it may be worth looking into.
best wishes
Anthony & Michele
Thank you for posting this. I have actually been suffering with this for over 4 years now. Started when I was about 7 months pregnant. I’ve gone to my dr about it and they just blow it off. Well I finally went last week and demanded him to xray it or something. The pain is so bad I can’t go any longer!!! He sent me to PT (which I am very skeptical of) but after the first session, I was amazed. I was pain free for a bit but later that night it was really bad. I put an ice pack on it and it felt a little better. I have been doing my exercises at home and go to PT twice a week. Tomorrow will be my 2nd time going. This has gone on waaay too long! I hope to God that this helps and I feel for every woman out there going through this. 🙂
I’m so sorry you are suffering from this. Oddly mine has started flaring up recently -not bad but enough to be uncomfortable if I’m really active. I’m not sure why! i’m really disappointed as I’m not pregnant and am over 10 months post partum. I think it maybe the lengths of my legs are different so I’m going to try a different chiropractor that helps with lengthen out legs. Best of luck to you and I’m glad PT is helping! I may end up doing PT too if I can’t get the PGP to go away.
Well I just finished my PT sessions yesterday. I have had trouble with my sciatic nerve getting pinched after the last 3 times going to PT. But, I have to say, my hip is feeling much better. I’m hoping the sciatica will eventually go away. It is very painful when it gets pinched but ice and heat work to calm it down. It seems to take a few days and I feel much better. The big thing at PT was the length of my legs being off. I think if I keep up the few exercises they gave to me I should be fine I hope… will keep you guys posted.
Yes please keep us posted! Thank you and best wishes. I hope you’re not in too much pain.
I am almost 5 months postpartum and experiencing the pain you wrote about. Mainly I’m having issues in my groin area. It makes it hard to walk and even get out of the car. I have even experienced popping noises if I step too quickly. My husband and I are talking about trying for our second child, but I can’t get past the pain (forgive the phrasing) to even spread my legs. Do you think this could be the issue? I’ve spent hours trying to research online and my doctors haven’t been much help because I’m so early postpartum and they blame it on that. If so, where should I start to help get past this?
I don’t know at all. I wish I did! I didn’t experience popping noises. It could possibly be your hip joints? I would recommend going to a really good physical therapist or possibly chiropractor to have them diagnose what it could be.
Spreading my legs apart was not too painful when I had PGP it was mainly rolling over onto my hips, moving side ways, standing, walking, etc. I wish you the best and that you can figure out what it is!
Hi Lindsay
There is nothing I can say to take away the pain, wish I could, but here is some info and tips.
Get yourself referred to a sports Medicine Centre, the Doctors there should be well aware of conditions such as PGP, Ostitis Pubis, Pelvic Instability and so on. The pain you are getting in your groin is coming from your Pubic Symphysis, the part of your pelvis that has to stretch slightly during child birth. I think the sharp searing pain you are probably feeling is coming from the ligaments right where they attach to the bone.(Sorry hubby, but no touching for a while)
Talk to your Dr about Pysiotherapy and if that does not help look into Prolotherapy injections to the ligaments. Do some googling.
Hope this helps
Anthony.
Thank you for this article! I am only 14 weeks with my second child. My first pregnancy was taxing at about 7 months (couldn’t do stairs, Chiroprator once a week, maternity belt, 40lbs of water weight, pelvic pain, etc) but I worked until Friday, was in a wedding on Saturday, and had my first child full term on that Monday. Now with my second, at only 14 weeks, I am diagnosed with a dislocated pubic bone from bending over to help my 3 year old. I just flippin bent over! I felt a pop, crack, and had intense pain. I couldn’t walk straight and it was extremely painful. I felt like someone had hit my crotch with a bat! Oh, I thought I could just walk it off…until the next day I couldn’t get off the couch. I am out of work until further notice. I have a career, a family, a home, a life, and I feel like I’m letting them all down! How could I let this happen to me I thought?! My physical therapist I could not have prevented it. It just happens. She said my pubic bone was so dislocated everyone in the office had to see it, because you could see the huge gap and the difference in the height of my pelvic bones when I laid down. One hour and they moved it a little where I can walk but only short distance and with a walker. I sure hope it gets better so I can at least work and take care of our three year old. My husband is a huge help and endless blessing but a little on the “your going to work tomorrow, right?” mentality track. Thanks for letting me see this is real and it will eventually go away.
I’m so sorry Jessica! How sad! I hope you get feeling better soon. I’m so glad you have a good husband that is willing to help. I hope you continue healing!
Hi Jessica
My wife and I are feeling your pain.
Your story is reading almost the same as my wife’s. What can I say. My wife could do no lifting, no sitting in an office chair for long periods and the motion of sitting and standing also became uncomfortable and we think made it worse. We have been struggling for two years now after the birth of our third child with no improvement doing as instructed by health professionals. My wife (Michele) is now permanently on bed rest with as many pain killing drugs as can be taken to make her comfortable. I have been forced to sell my business and become a full time carer in order to shower, dress, toilet and generally take care of her. We recently pushed to see other specialists in sports medicine which has led us to a pain management specialist were we have been booked in to get injections called Prolotherapy (Dextrose injections) designed to shorten and strengthen stretched ligaments in the pelvis.
Hope this information is of help to you and your family.
Best wishes Anthony & Michele.
I’m so sorry Anthony! How saddening and horrible. I hope your new treatment brings her and you some welcome relief and healing!
Thank you again!
Hi Jessica and Lyndsay (and any others),
I wanted to let you a know that it would be a really good idea to see a pelvic physiotherapist. My midwife connected me to one anday she has brent amazing. I would also recommend seeing an osteopath that knows what they are doing. Again, it is great if you can get a recommendation from a midwife or obtained that would know someone who is familiar with pgp.
Also, I had a form of pgp that is more connected to the tightnessential in my pelvic floor, which means no keogels as they make it worse! I did not have it for my first two pregnancies but it started at 10 weeks with my third. I am now at week 37 and have been off work for awhile. It has helped immensely being able to balance how much I can handle each day.
The reason it can also be confused with sciatica is that the pelvis can affect your sciatica so sometimes the pain also is sciatica. However, ino my case the sciatica comes and goes whereas the other pain is more consistent. I also have split stomach muscles from my last pregnancy which does not help keep your pelvis in line and should be fixed before getting pregnant again. Unfortunately, I did not know I had split stomach muscles until after I was pregnant with my third. I need to wait now until the baby is born to fix them. Regular exercise (sit ups, planks , etc.) can actually make split stomach muscles worse. So it is important to have these and your pelvic floor checked after each pregnancy as it can help reduce the chances or severity of problems the next time or any on going challenges.
I wish you all luck as this pain is intense and hard to understand for most people. Besides all that, I sincerely miss just walking. It definitely gives you a real appreciation for a nice walk outside without pain or a cane or crutches.
Thank you! this is very informative and I’m sure will help other readers. The pain is intense and hard to understand for most, that is right. I like that you have given lots of suggestions. Thank you!! Congratulations and I wish you the best in your pregnancy.
I have very lax ligaments throughout my body which causes most of my joints to be very unstable and requires a lot of gym work just to help the muscles keep everything where it should be! I have hyper-lordosis (excessively curved lumbar spine) and Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction which basically means that my pelvis is totally unstable anyway – the symptoms are exactly like PGP. Everything was going great until I got pregnant. The pain, instability and inability to exercise properly came back with a vengeance since 8 weeks pregnant and now I’m 27 weeks I’m really struggling! I have the pelvic pain coupled with spd which is getting steadily worse day by day – I can’t walk properly, can’t sleep, can’t sit for too long, can’t get in and out of the car properly, can’t swim properly. I wear a belly belt and tubigrip round my bump all the time (except for sleeping as I can’t bear being trussed up like a chicken!) to try to hold everything together; if it gets worse, the next stop is crutches. Walking two minutes to the supermarket is a real challenge… I’ve got exercises but the pain gets so bad I can’t really do them – so I just feel everything getting looser and looser! The really depressing thing for me is that I know a lot of this won’t go away after my baby’s born because it isn’t my pregnancy which is causing the underlying problem and I’ll have to work harder than ever to try to get the stability back to where it was before I fell pregnant. I know I will be able to do it if I try, but sometimes the pain gets so bad that I feel very down.
I’m so very sorry!! I say get your crutches and wheel chair and do the best you can. I wish you the very best!
Thank you for sharing this very important information. I suffered this 16 years ago with my 1st pregnancy, and also 12 years ago with my 2nd.
All medical providers, except chiropractic, we’re dismissive of the severe pain. They had no clue.
Sadly, the pain for me is chronic, and I have permanent damage to my pubic symphysis. This is also because I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, a genetic defect resulting in hypermobile joints.
I just wanted to add, like others, this is real, and severe, pain. Different things work for different people so try all you can! Also, my pain decreases when I do not ovulate. I know hormones affect this, and stopping my ovulation and periods helped a lot. Just wanted to mention for those dealing with this post partum and later! The Merino IUD caused me to stop ovulating and I realized the change as I have now had more then one. Sounds weird I know but that’s what I experienced.
Good luck ladies and keep fighting for recognition of this horrible disorder!
Wow that is really great information! Thank you for sharing what has helped with your pain. I’m so sorry you have to go through this!
My oldest child is 39, one 36 and one 28. I had increasingly more severe pain with each child. I knew immediately when I got pregnant because the pain started sooner then a pregnancy test was effective back then. My pain level was generally between 8 and 10. Sleeping was next to impossible, every time I tried to roll over I had to grab my leg and hoist it over, there were loud popping noises. I had to ease myself out of bed every morning and stand there holding onto something In tears until I could stand to bear my own weight. My doctor patted me on the head and said “sometimes these things happen “. I could never make anyone understand how bad the pain was. I am so glad people are starting to recognize this instead of ignoring it. You can bet your life if my doctor had been in as much pain as I was he wouldn’t have wanted a pat on the head. My problem is The pain has never gone away. It isn’t constant but it flares up, possibly related to hormones? I am lying in bed right now trying to research what to do about it and all I can find is information for pregnant women. I’m nearly 60 and none of this information is helpful to me. I try to keep my weight under control and walk several miles a day because as bad as the pain gets I know that I will end up in a wheelchair eventually if I’m not careful. And still none of the doctors that I have been to have been able to help me or sometimes I think even believe me. A rheumatologist did tell me that I have severe arthritis in my pelvic bones, I believe this is caused by the damage done when it wasn’t treated while I was pregnant. So if you’re suffering and your doctor is not helping find a new doctor!
It is so nice to hear someone else explain this pain. When I was pregnant with my oldest almoat 9 years ago I was living in jersey and traveling to work in new york each day. The long walks through subway and streets killed me. I could barely lift my legs to climb the stairs because my pelvis felt like it was breaking in half. I was just miserable all day at work and by the time I got home I could barely move. I remeber having to actually have my legs lifted on to bed or couch because if I tried to lift them an inch off the floor I would get the excruciating pain. I couldnt turn over in bed. I was just miserable. I kept telling my dr at the time and I wasnt diagnosed with sciatica but she kept saying it’s just round ligament pain. I repeatedly told her it was in my pelvic bone but she just insisted rou d ligament pain. Try to stretch more often. No one I knew understood or had experienced the pain before. I was so embarrassed. I waited 7 years to get pregnant again. Thankfully I only very mildly for the pelvic pain after very active days. However I am pregnant again, 5 months, and I am starting to feel the strong pains again even after just going to the grocery store. Dr. Says it’s pelvic pain from hormones not much can be done about it. Try to rest as much as you can. It was very nice to hear that this time around. Now I dont look like such a wimp when I say I need to rest.
Amanda- I’m so sorry about your pain. Best of luck of your pregnancy! Thanks for stopping by.
This post is just like talking to myself. Only I believe I have BOTH an irritated sciatic nerve AND PGP right this second. I am also seeing a chiropractor, but less frequently. I’ve been doing TONS of research and have discovered that the piriformis muscle can get tight and irritate the sciatic nerve. Of course, the piriformis gets tight because the pelvic alignment is off, and that leads to the PGP as well. So I have the weird numbing pain that shoots down through my legs ocassionally, as well as the constant sharp pain in my pelvis that makes it difficult to walk, climb stairs, get in and out of the van, etc.
My support band isn’t helping as much asI had hoped, so rest and ice are my best friends. And of course my Chiropractor. She is my favorite human (excluding, MAYBE, the two little humans I’ve already had and my husband, but some days that’s debateable)
haha! I loved that last line. Thank you for the further information you included in your comment. I’m so sorry you seem to be suffering from both. how horrible. I’m glad you are finding some relief in chiropractic care, ice and rest! I wish you the absolute best!
Thank you for this!! I’m currently 33 weeks pregnant and have been suffering from PGP since 13/14 weeks. All of my OB doctors have completely dismissed my pain entirely and had no advice or even a possible diagnosis. I finally got one to reluctantly refer me to a physical therapist but he was no help either. I finally am seeing a chiropractor as of two weeks ago and I’m starting to get some relief. No one in my family (besides my wonderful husband) takes my pain seriously- they all think I’m just a miserable pregnant woman.. Well …I am miserable I’ve been in constant pain for months lol. It’s comforting to know there are others out there going through/have been through the same thing. My question is, did you have any issues while giving birth due to the PGP?
I didn’t have any trouble giving birth due to PGP. Once my son dropped into the birth canal the pain went away. I hope you get feeling better soon!
Thanks for this Anita. I don’t know what I have as doctors and midwives tell me it is part of pregnancy pains. I am 25 weeks pregnant and do office work, mostly sitting down and computer work. I have been in pain since the start of second trimester and today is the worst so far. I try to stand every hour or so and when I do, my hips really hurt and I can’t walk straight. I walk like an 80 year old lady. I did the exercise you suggested prior to standing and it did work, the pain has subsided. Thanks for this.
I’m sorry about your pain. I’m glad the exercise did help you. Thanks for commenting!
This is helpful, but I do want to point out that pelvic girdle pain does not go away for everyone after pregnancy. My son is 16 months old and mine is more severe than ever. However, I just now figured out what it is so if I had rested this past year and been properly diagnosed I may have improved instead of getting worse. No clue how to fix it now that it’s chronic.
Thanks Anne! I hope you get feeling better soon.
there is still hope for u! I just found out what i have and my baby girl is almost 3 years. I know its crazy but it took me this long to figured out and I am so much better now after going to a chropractor( make sure he pr she is familiar with PGP) also Anita gives really good tips that i am going to try myself.I know hwat you feel, I went through that also.just keep getting more familiar with it.hope this helps.and sorry for my bad grammar english is my second language.
I’ve had two crowns and some cavities done with zero anesthetic without much ado and my labors were mostly non-medicated including two inductions, and PGP is so bad it makes me vomit. Hooray for bed rest!
Wow that adds some perspective in how painful it is. Yeah its intense! Thanks for chiming in.
Thank YOU for posting this article so I could feel justified in my bedrest!
So happy I came across this! I KNEW sciatica wasn’t my issue when I started feeling it again 10 months after giving birth. Thank you!
I’m so glad as well! It makes a huge difference knowing what it is!
This is a great article. I’m 36 weeks pregnant and PGP has struck in the last to weeks but unlike my first pregnancy, it’s quite debilitating. Bed rest works but I’m the worst person to prescribe inactivity to, however, I may have to put my feelings aside and forget about working out for another 3/4 weeks.
I feel pain even when the baby kicks me around the pelvic area, horrendous. The icepack advice has been the best. Seeing a physio in the next couple of days. Thanks so much for writing this up! Hopefully will go away after birth!
I hope you get feeling better soon! I’m glad the ice and rest are helping. If you keep being active and it is PGP you’ll eventually be in more and more pain. Just take each day as you can and rest as much as possible. I hope it goes away after labor/birth too!
So what do I do if I feel I have been misdiagnosed?? Help please!!
I mention quite a few things in the article that can help. I’d recommend consulting a Doctor or chiropractor with what you think you have and seeing what they recommend as well.
I’m suffering from PGP/SPD currently, and cannot wait to get some relief, I’m 33 weeks and it started at 24 weeks. My first pregnancy in 2015 had me immobile by 34 weeks due to PGP, my hip dislocated and my legs were 1.5” difference in length. I resorted to bed rest and was induced at 39 weeks due to the severe pain. I was seeing a PT three times a week before birth and for months following. I was able to deliver naturally (Labor was less painful than the PGP) an an epidural was risky bc my hips did not align and bending forward for the medication caused me too much pain. Since that birth, 3 years ago, I have continued physical therapy and sit on a medicine ball at work. It took me two years to consider getting pregnant again, and I was disappointed with the support I received (many other mom’s saying they had SPD or PGP and it wasn’t that bad). Now pregnant again, I have been doing preventative physical therapy since 14 weeks, but the pain is back. I did lots of research this time around and found the only brace support that has helped me (I’ve tried three other types with no luck). If you suffer from PGP or SPD I highly recommend it as I think it’s the only reason I’m still able to walk. Maternalift I have tried chiropractic care and even the PT doesn’t help much, rest is really the only thing that provides me any relief. I feel for anyone experiencing this same situation, as I don’t know anyone personally that has experienced it to the degree I have, and it’s hard to explain to people. My baby is measuring very large this pregnancy which has me nervous about delivery and possibly further damaging my fragile pubic bone and hip area. Any advice on that front is greatly appreciated.
Thank you. It is VERY painful if you have it like many of us commenting have. I’ll look into this Maternalift.
Wow. I experienced the exact same discomfort and pain. It was worse after I gave birth I couldn’t really walk and had a physical therapist tell me I was fine which made me angry because I wasn’t and I knew it. This is definitely helpful and I a misdiagnosed I was told sciatica nerve. I went to the chiropractor if it weren’t for him I wouldn’t be able to walk I remember the fear and tears and not knowing how I was going to be able to take care of my baby. Definitely so painful and scary and thinking I may not be able to walk again or get around. I had to see the guy two times he said he’s never seen or had someone like my case said it was the worse he’s ever seen. Thankfully he helped me and I’m back on my feet!
So so glad you went to a chiropractor and are back on your feet. I can’t imagine having a new born and dealing with this kind of pain. Best of luck to you and I hope it goes away or at least is manageable with adjustments or a shoe/foot lift.
This article has brought me so much relief! I struggled with severe pelvic pain when I was pregnant which I thought was round ligament pain and which the doctors didn’t seem at all concerned about. I have a high pain tolerance so I powered through it with all my daily activities which is why so many people didn’t think it was that bad but it was literally the worst pain in my life. I literally would rather go through labor again than feel that ever (and I naturally labored for over 24 hours). My sister was pregnant at the same time and was doing just fine so I stupidly allowed that to pressure me into powering through my pain and feeling guilty about curling up on the couch for long periods at a time. I am now convinced that PGP is what I was suffering with.
But the biggest relief about this article is not only the validation but also the comment that my future pregnancies might not bring the same pain! I know that it’s not a promise but at least there is some hope. And that I do have that pain, there are things I can do about it!
Thank you!
I’m glad this helped you!
Thank you so much for writing this! I am 25 weeks pregnant and was diagnosed with sciatica and sent to physical therapy for it, after the first visit I quit because I felt worse. The therapist had me in the stationary bike when I can barely lift my legs! My pain started in my lower back and my body tilted to one side, I now have a higher hip along with pain on the buttocks and right leg. I can’t stand up straight as I feel my pelvic bones can’t support my upper back. I also can’t move my hips in bed and use my hands to move them up slowly to turn. I went to a chiropractor but didn’t help much and I have decided to just rest as much as possible and my husband does all housework. Hope it goes away after delivery😭
My third pregnancy was very difficult and I suffered from extreme pelvic pain and had no idea that this condition wasn’t normal. I had back problems and chalked up my pain as my hips spreading in preparation for birth. But little did I know that I was actually suffering from SPD and should have pushed my doctor for a pregnancy belt. Any small movement was so painful and I wish that I knew what I know now while I was still pregnant.