WARNING: This post talks about my rear end. a lot. #sorrynotsorry
In the last five and a half years, I have gone through four pregnancies. That’s pretty crazy, right?! That sounds crazy in my head.
And during all four pregnancies, I have had some sort of pelvic pain. For Will’s pregnancy I thought I was experiencing a type of round ligament pain but in actuality it felt like I was getting punched in the crotch. The front part of my pelvic bone would just ache all the time. Then I got pregnant with Weston and I would have these pains in my rear end….I called them ‘butt seizures’ because they actually felt like my entire rear end would seize up and I was not able to move. Not a step. Nothing would help but sitting down for a solid five minutes and then I would be able to get up and waddle to my destination. I talked to my doctor who told me that it might be sciatica pain and I should go to a chiropractor. Enter sciatica stretches and exercises. I accounted for the pain by saying that I was carrying different….and then came the birth. Weston was my first VBAC and I was so thankful that I could have him vaginally even though he was so big and posterior. The hardest part of the VBAC recovery for me was that he fractured my tailbone on his way out and I couldn’t sit comfortably for a long time. Fast forward to LJ. My pregnancy with my little sweetie pie was hard for a different reason….it was the first time I had really been ill while pregnant. I caught a cold and it turned into bronchitis and I had to wait till I was far enough along before I could get on really effective medication. That was really hard because I coughed REALLY hard all the time. I would throw up and simultaneously pee myself I was coughing so hard. (TMI Katie.) The pain in my rear end was slightly worse than with Weston but I just blamed the coughing and the stress it put on my pelvis. Again….blaming all pain on a pinched sciatic nerve and doing the stretches and exercises from a chiropractor for sciatica relief.
Okay…so basically the history of my butt includes pain, pain and more pain.
But it always went away after giving birth.
And I always blamed it on various things but mostly my sciatica.
So this past week, my rear end got progressively worse. It was that same pain….but it was REALLY bad….like the worse it’s ever been. And again, it was after I was really sick and coughing super hard. I literally could not sleep because of the pain. I couldn’t pick up the kids. I couldn’t walk or bend over or even sit comfortably. It was embarrassing and depressing and I could tell it was affecting me a lot mentally and my relationship with Jeremy because I was asking him to help me with EVERYTHING. I hate being helpless and I hate asking for help even more.
I decided that the best thing to do was google. I started searching everything I could find about sciatica pain that would disappear after childbirth. The funny thing is….sciatica pain doesn’t generally disappear after birthing a child. It should stick around. But mine never did. That is when I discovered PGP…..pelvic girdle pain…and it’s often confused with sciatica pain in pregnancy. I did a ton of research and read everything I could. Pelvic girdle pain is basically very common in pregnancy but people here in the US just don’t talk about it a lot and it’s often misdiagnosed. It’s so common in pregnancy because that is when our bodies produce relaxin (that hormone that makes our joints loosey-goosey). Relaxin is a good thing….but for my pelvis, it means that my bones are coming so far apart that it is producing pain. They recommend physiotherapy and keeping your hips and pelvis and spine aligned, resting and not lifting or pushing or carrying anything heavy. You can do manual alignment and also wear a support belt to pull everything back together.
In Will’s pregnancy, that is probably what caused the pain in front….the bones of the pelvis were coming apart right there in my crotch area. Then during Weston’s pregnancy, the pain was in the joints in the back but concentrated on one side (deceiving, yes but that is common). After the Weston injury, the pain got progressively worse….increased by pressure on my pelvic floor from coughing…and even more aggravated by the fact that I was doing stretches for sciatica (there is a big difference in treatment for these two things!). Since I didn’t do the recommended healing after Weston was born (physiotherapists recommend a year of pelvic healing and proper exercises to strengthen your abs and your pelvic floor) before getting pregnant again….my problem was exacerbated. Times two because then I got pregnant again so soon after LJ.
After talking to a therapist, I searched for a good belt and late Friday night I put on in my Amazon cart so that I could purchase it in the morning (I was in so much pain that I wasn’t about to crawl down the stairs to get my debit card). I wish I could explain the situation fully….but the short of it is that the pain was bringing me to tears. Not getting much sleep, not being able to walk, not being able to feel confident that I was keeping the kids safe from potential situations, having leg cramps and not being able to stretch them because I couldn’t move…it was all really bad. I prayed really hard that night that the belt would come soon and that it would work. The next morning, I woke up when I hear LJ stirring and I waddled slowly in to get him. Then it hit me….years ago, our friend Dan gave me a pregnancy belt. He was working as a medical supply rep and he gave away free samples to therapists and he had an extra one that he gave me. It was hilarious that I remembered it. I mean…it was six years ago….before I had any pregnancy or any pain. I knew that I wouldn’t have thrown it away and I just took a random guess that it was in our gift wrap closet. I know….that sounds crazy but for whatever reason, I thought….if I still have it, it’ll be in with our Christmas bags.
Low and behold, LJ and I crawled in there and I looked up and saw the box. It was just sitting there….on top of the rolls of wrapping paper….like God had delivered a present to me. I know this sounds like a crazy story but I opened the box and it was exactly the belt that I needed….right size and everything. I strapped it on as tightly as I could and I could literally feel my bones getting closer together. They even made weird popping noises. The belt is crazy good….even though it doesn’t make the pain completely disappear, I CAN WALK. I can sit. I can actually do things. I still have butt seizures if I do a twisting movement in the wrong direction, move too quickly or get my hips out of a locked position and the bad news is that my belly is itchy from the constant compression….but it’s totally worth it to have the ability to go to the bathroom, go get a drink, even just walk to the mailbox.
No Support Belt – With Support Belt
All that to say….I am a few weeks away from welcoming baby boy #4 and so excited to meet him and say goodbye to this PGP. Also….I owe my sciatica an apology. And maybe some chocolates. And if you are an expectant gal who is experiencing discomfort down there….I hope this post helps. If it only helps one person…it’s worth writing. I wish I had read something like this about pelvic girdle pain a long time ago. I very much recommend getting a support belt asap and starting on proper treatment. Because really….as in any DIY project, prep work really helps….and I know that you mama’s need to be able to take care of yourself and your family!
As for whether or not the belt is really noticeable under clothing….not for me as much. It could be worse. Sometimes I wear the belt over my clothing if I am gonna be home all day because it takes some of the itch away. I tend to be like a stuffed sausage when I am pregnant so the really only noticeable difference under clothing is that it pushes my spare tire up higher….also it flattens the top part of my bottom. Sometimes it does feel like it’s slipping up so I will have to adjust it under my clothing….especially after sitting….because it needs to sit lower to pull those bones together. I still practice my pelvic and ab exercises and do the proper hip alignment movements which definitely help. I write all this just to say….I love my belt. And dear sciatic nerve….I am really sorry you got blamed. Off to write a long apology letter to the nerve in my bum 🙂
Also…if you are wondering, this is the belt I use.
WOW Katie!! I am sooooo happy for you that you found out what was going on — google-ing medical things actually CAN be a good thing!!! And that is crazy that you remembered about that belt AND that you remembered it was with the Christmas gift bags!! (I literally LOL’d!!)
Soo glad that you are feeling better! Happy last few weeks of pregnancy — Can’t wait to “meet” the newest Bower babe!!
So glad you found some relief! Pregnancy does a number on your body but babies are worth it!
And I don’t know how I lived without google for half of my life.
I am so glad that you were able to find some relief! I had my last baby almost a year ago and, (3rd), this time post pregnancy I wore a hip binder, and it made such a difference in helping my pelvis heal. I would highly suggest wearing one, relaxin is in your system for 12ish weeks after, more if nursing. I found it to be worth the investment, order 2 kinds, one in a big size for right after, a 2nd for when you are a little smaller. Can’t wait to see your 4th little guy soon!
Oh my god. I can’t thank you enough right now… I think I could kiss you through the computer! Was that too creepy? Sorry. I’m just really, really happy you posted about this. I’m 25 weeks with #2 right now, and with both pregnancies I’ve had a terrible pinching, aching feeling right in my crotch area (so glad there’s no such thing as TMI with you). Anyway, my doc has just been blaming it on general round ligament pain, but it never sounds similar to other ladies who experience that. I wonder if it might be PGP? My preggo pillow has helped a bit at night (probably because it’s realigning the bones that are separating!), but I will definitely try the maternity belt!
Umm, for reals. I seriously love you right now. Thank you! 🙂 Also, your blog rocks. I check it daily.
Sending you best wishes for a healthy, strong labor and delivery, and a healthy & strong baby boy. You’re only a few short weeks away!
Hi Katie. I am a chiropractor and have a lot of experience working with women and pelvic pain. I am so grateful that you have found relief with the support belt. As you know, pregnancy drastically changes a gal’s pelvis. 😉 I don’t live in your area, but don’t hesitate to send me a message if you have any questions I might be able to answer. Been a long time follower and I rely on each dose of your humor and sarcasm. Keep up the good work and best wishes to you and your growing family! –Rachael
Argh, I can’t even imagine the pain you went through, I was cringing very much while reading your story! So happy you found a solution!
I have that belt & it definitely helped me! I also went to a few therapy appointments after giving birth to learn how to strengthen those muscles so that I would heal quickly & correctly. Best thing I’ve done, but super awkward to discuss with friends. Haha! Glad you found something that helped! 🙂
Yes! Sounds just like what I had with my last pregnancy. But my PT called it SI joint popping out of place. I could feel the baby move and pull the joints apart or sometimes it would happen out of the blue. Felt like I got shot in the butt and froze up. The PT worked wonders. And I went first to the chiropractor and that just made it worse (adding more movement to a joint that should be stable)
Thank you! I experienced that type of pain with my son, but didn’t really know what it was. Sometimes it felt like he was just going to fall out of me, there was so much pressure and pain. We’re hoping to get pregnant soon with baby number two and I will definitely get one of these belts!
Oh Katie, I have felt your pain in a very literal way. When I was about 7 months pregnant with my daughter, I slipped on some ice outside of Target and went down like a ton of bricks. It hurt–BAD–but I thought I was OK. Until I tried to walk and couldn’t. I went to labor and delivery so they could monitor contractions, and when the nurses saw me trying to walk and grimacing in pain, they knew. I had separated my pubic bone by basically attempting the splits. Couldn’t walk for about a week, and then wore a belt very similar to yours for the rest of the pregnancy. And it did go away after delivery, but came back with the next pregnancy. I wouldn’t want anyone to ever be in that particular kind of pain, but it is comforting to know someone who has experienced it understands. Wishing you some comfort as you await #4…
So sorry for your pain! I had some very similar pain, but in my rib cage. I tracked my body measurements throughout my pregnancy and from start to finish, my rib cage expanded by 6 full inches(!) The pain radiated through my upper back and it was simply debilitating!
It is pretty amazing how much our bodies morph. I mean, how in the world does a rib cage expand by 6 inches in a matter of a few months?
Oh Katie!! I am one of your long time readers and if only I had thought to comment sooner! I am an orthopaedic physical therapist specializing in Women’s Health (well, it’s called Women’s Health but we’re trying to make the transition to calling it just Pelvic Floor therapy since men can experience this too). When you’re “recovered” from your superstar 4th birthing experience (!), check out the American Physical Therapy Association’s website to find a PT near you that specializes in Women’s Health/PFT: http://www.apta.org/apta/findapt/index.aspx?navID=10737422525. Whether you and the boyfriend (yes, that’s how long I’ve been reading, I know he’s the boyfriend, not the hubby 😉 ) are finished or not with the baby making, your pelvic floor would most likely benefit from some good PT — not only to alleviate sciatic pain, crotch pain, butt pain, what have you, but also to help with other inconveniences like peeing when you cough, laugh, sneeze, jump, lift, move, etc.
Best wishes in the coming weeks and enjoy your newfound freedom with your belt!
Jill
Gosh I’m so glad you posted this! I’m 98% sure I had this with both of my pregnancies! For me, it was all in the front, and I’d tell my husband that it felt like my crotch had dislocated. I started looking into belts near the end of my second, but ultimately decided it wasn’t worth it for a few weeks. I wish I would have known so much sooner! Thank goodness I did at least figure out that stretching made it so much worse and stopped. Hope someone else can catch it sooner!
Katie I am so glad you have a correct diagnosis! I’ve been following your blog and occasionally comment for, oh, 6-7 years. My kids oddly share your kids birthdays, so I feel a kindredness. I’m in my third pregnancy now, 37 weeks. And I just had same self diagnosis. My first two I called round ligament pain because it was mostly in my pelvic/abdominal area. I recognized that activity exacerbated the pain, and I could mostly self manage it. Then came this pregnancy. Starting at about week 34, I suddenly couldn’t walk without any pain. I began to have problems in daily life. I started googling too because I knew this was too severe and prolonged for RLP. I found PGP, and decided to go to physical therapy with a specialist. Her stretches, massages, and realignment has helped me soooo much. Not cured. But I am able to walk and feed my two kids. I still rest a lot and ice the pelvic/pubic area.
Wow. Okay. Just think it’s weird that we live parallel lives in many ways. Now including our current pain. I am so sorry and I know exactly what you are in for. Hopefully only a week or days left?!?!
I SO appreciate your openness! I’m 5
months pregnant with my second and my first is only 13 months old. It’s hard! And I pee a little every time I puke… And think I’m crazy and my body is failing me… And then I read one of your friends pregnancy posts and it helps me realize 1. I’m not crazy 2. I’m not alone and 3. I can do this. So thanks for sharing!
I know you’re only 2 weeks away from delivery, but really want to put a comment here just in case anyone else is reading this and thinking “oh my god that’s what I’m going through”. I have had the same problem in both my pregnancies, but in my case we call it SPD or symphysis pubic dysfunction. I have found that the belts don’t really do much good, but physical therapy is great. You don’t necessarily want to be squeezing your bones together if they are not aligned properly in the first place. This can be really painful, but there are ways to make it feel better. in my case, the physical therapist was able to analyze the way I stand, sit, and walk. My pelvis is strongly shifted to one side, and she has me doing very small exercises that really helped me get back into alignment. She also recommended wearing stability shoes, though I have not ordered them yet. I guess I will never be one of those mothers who wears high heels throughout pregnancy!
I had this as well, although they called it Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction…whatever it was, it was debilitating. I am glad you found some relief!
Thank you for taking the time to write this!! I’m due with baby girl #2 in a few weeks and I’ve had exactly the pains you’re talking about. My doctor writes it off as sciatica pain and tells me not to lift my 2 year old anymore (umm, I’m home with her all day so yeah right, that’s possible). I think I’m going to have to suck it up and get a belt. For some reason I’ll move heaven and earth to help my husband or daughter feel better, but drag my feet when it comes to myself. Crazy I know :). Thanks again for sharing! Oh and throwing up and peeing? Right there with ya’. The most common phrase out of my mouth right now is “oh crap I just peed”. Ha!
I had pubic symphysis diastasis (your front crotch problem) with each of my three pregnancies and it was WAY worse with the third – at times it was debilitating to the point of tears and not being able to move. Especially if I took a step to the side/diagonally/any way other than straight ahead, or if I twisted my body AT. ALL. It was horrendous. I am SO GLAD you found some relief from all that stretching that relaxin is doing!! SO SOON and baby boy will be here!
Hi Katie
I have had PGP in the last 2 of my 3 pregnancies. Currently 28 weeks. Mainly caused by labor issues with my first. Physiotherapists are definitely the long term solution but in the meantime would you consider a chiropractor? My pain started a 16 weeks this time. I have seen a chiropractor 3 times and I and in much less pain. I also keep my hips very stable and avoid certain movements. I am doing so much better. I don’t usually need a chiropractor, but my massage therapist who focuses on prenatal determined my pain was correlated to my SI joint this truly was the best solution. When it’s at it’s worst I also use a support belt. All the best.
I had this as well. It was called Symphisis Pubic Disfunction in some research. My entire pelvic region would feel like it was glued together. I couldn’t roll over at night – I had to very consciously roll my entire body rather than twisting my hips then my upper body like a normal roll. It was horrible.
I had 4 babies in just under 4 years (we are twin crazies, girl) and have symphysis pubic dysfunction that’s pregnancy related. Similar to yours but with pelvic clicks. It’s the same relaxin culprit here too. Oh, and I go completely nuts in the head during the 1st trimester, get it back in the 2nd, and am halfsies in the 3rd. Oh but they are SO worth it!
I feel for you, mama! Luckily I only had it with my lastMy doctor initially diagnosed it as sciatica as well, and gave me a prescription for muscle relaxers (which made me bedridden for a full day because they just exacerbated the pain, so don’t try that, haha!). I’m glad you still had that belt and you’re getting some relief!
Loved my support belt! It was like the ugliest, creepiest girdle but it made a huge difference, always wondered why they weren’t more popular. Glad you are feeling better!
So happy you have found some relief!!
The leg cramps…I seem to remember reading that magnesium helps with that and that most people are deficient. I take it for help sleeping but it does several things. A spray to absorb into your skin or Natural Calm, a powder to dissolve and drink before bed are recommended. But I’m not a doctor 🙂 Just wanted to share in case it helps.
Also thanks for your honesty and over sharing on things. Sometimes I think we all try to be too put together and gloss over everything and I’m just like seriously what has happened to my pee muscles after this baby? Am I the only one? So thank you!
I saw a chiropractor and the stretches he did were fine but they really didn’t help or hurt the pain…if that makes sense. I did find relief in what he did for my lower back but not the ‘butt pain’.
xo – kb
Yes SPD is very similar – caused by the same thing! Physical therapy is definitely the first choice…I wish I had known this before my ‘locking up’ was progressively worse.
xo – kb
Oh yes…I definitely plan on some solid physical therapy! Thank you for the link…I will definitely use it to find the right therapist!
xo – kb
Whoa.
xo – kb
Oh man! That is terrible!
xo – kb
I’m so glad the therapy worked afterward! I definitely want to try therapy after baby #4!
xo – kb
Thanks Rachael!
xo – kb
It might be pubic symphysis diastasis….just wanted to throw that out there in case you want to research that too. I would call a physical therapist too if I were you…even if it was just for a consult because they can tell you more about the pelvis and how everything is connected! I know the therapist I talked to basically told me that with two weeks left, the belt is like a bandaid till I can get in there and strengthen all those pelvic and ab muscles. Hope this helps a little!
xo – kb
So glad you found a therapist that could help! I know my belt is like a bandaid till I can get in for therapy! So looking forward to it!
xo – kb
Hi Katie,
I am so glad you have found something that is working so well for you 🙂 what a relief..
I just wanted to touch base regarding the stress urinary incontinence you have experienced. It isnt normal in or out of pregnancy and there are good practitioners out there that might be helpful for you. I am in Australia and we have physiotherapists that specialise in women and pregnancy. I’d highly recommend seeking out someone similar in your locality as the earlier you get on top of these issues the better 🙂
Tammy
I’m totally a lurker and never comment, but I just had to say that I feel your pain! We had three kids in three and a half years, and by the last one my pelvis was so sorr I couldn’t walk…I had to very carefully shuffle and stairs were out of the question. I just about cried when I had to roll over in bed – I had to do a seven point turn to even roll over all the way. My midwife was extremely supportive, and just kept saying that it would get better as soon as my little mister made his grand appearanc. And she was right! I also used one of the belts, and we happened to pick ours up for $5 at a garage sale years before I needed it. That’s what we call manna from heaven! All the best for the rest of your pregnancy! 🙂
I feel your pain or should I say FELT the pain. I had the same thing with my second pregnancy and it was balls to the wall with my 3rd. I started using the belt same belt around 33 weeks and it saved my sanity while working. I remember the day I decided just to drop the 30 bucks and get a belt from Babies R Us. I was at work and I couldn’t leave my office. I was wheeled in an office chair out the building and a security guard drove me to my vehicle in a golf cart. I was like, maybe I need a belt after all. It was so much better! I already had SI joint dysfunction from scoliosis and running but that actually didn’t bother me one bit while pregnant. It was that dang clicky pubic symphasis. Btw I had big babies too, 9 # 12 oz, 10 # and 10# 8 oz. Apparently, 10#8oz is my max, I had a c-section with him.
Oh, I’m so glad you wrote about this! I had pubic bone pain when I was pregnant last year, and it was excruciating. It felt like my bone was twisting and being wrung out. Besides having the benefit of my mom being a physical therapist, I found a book on Amazon called Relieving Pelvic Pain During and After Pregnancy. It was helpful! .
Physical therapy after babies is such a wonderful thing! I’m glad you’re going to get help; this super soon pregnancy has to be hard in just as many ways as it is joyful.
As a suggestion, ask your PT if she knows about/can help with diastisis recti. Not many do and some exercises can exacerbate it. It’s where your stomach muscles are separated and the fascia is actually too stretched out; it leads to that Mummy Tummy sag, leaky bladders, no core strength which causes back and neck pain, and worse. I’m short and small too which meant I got huge exacerbating the DR, and with me, it led to my bladder falling out. My PT was able to both halt and slightly reverse that (until I got pg again.) Now I do an at home PT course online. So if you’re going to get pelvic floor therapy, I’d definitely look into that issue!
Isn’t God kind to give gifts like a girdle at the right time? : ) I carried four very large babies and my midwife put me in a support garment with my third. It goes on like underwear, then has velcro straps that attach under the belly. Super ugly; super supportive! And really does help with the pelvic pain. After my fourth baby, I found Fit2Be studio online – they specialize in helping moms close diastis recti before and after births, and I wonder if their (very gentle) exercises would help with other pelvic pain. I wish I had found them earlier, but they have really helped me with pulling everything back together after pregnancy.
Wow! So happy you found relief! And God does work in mysterious ways… It is amazing to know he was thinking of you and this very problem, and had a solution waiting for you, long before you ever even knew you needed it! Very happy for you Katie!
I just sent your post to our one daughter to read, she is having the same issues as you and she won’t be delivering our grandson until mid July. Hope this helps her too.
I am amost 7 months along with #2 and have been dealing with pubic symphasis pain (like getting stabbed in the pubic bone). I see my chiropractor every 1-2 weeks and it has helped, but I might check out the belt. Thank you so much for this post!!
The timing of this post couldn’t be better! I literally spent most of yesterday in incredible back pain. I’m 29 weeks pregnant with baby #3 and I’ve dealt with this pain each time. Mine is purely in my back and upper rear and I’ve always called it sciatica as well. I’m going to look into both your belt and diagnosis. I’m sorry you’re dealing with this, too, and thank you for your openness!
So happy that you found out the cause of your pain. God works wonders when we rely on Him – not surprised by the belt hiding with your wrapping supplies like a present. You’re almost there! Praying for a safe delivery and last few weeks of pregnancy. 🙂
That’s too bad 🙁 I don’t know how I’d be surviving without my adjustment. My adjustment was in my hips not my back though – just a thought try a woman or ask someone for recommendation on a chiropractor that does well with prenatal maybe another might work. I just hate hearing of other people in pain with this because you are so right it’s very often misdiagnosed as sciatica. AND it hurts!
The PGP is crazy painful!! I am also on pregnancy #4 and the PGP has gotten worse and came earlier with every pregnancy. I’ve had moments of not being able to walk either, and I feel like most people don’t understand the pain and think I am a preggo wimp! My exercises/stretches have helped immensely this time around, as well as sleeping with a pillow between my knees.
I am so glad that you found relief, that pain is no joke. Thanks for the recommendation on the belt. I’ve been debating buying it, but with my last 3 months to go, I think I will!
I have sciatica and suspected that you did not by the way you described it. Sciatica is shooting , burning nerve pain down the leg. It is unreal how painful it is but thank goodness it is intermittent. I have had a steroid shot in the spine and it helped big time.
I’m so happy you have the answer and are going to be pain free soon!
Hello! Glad to hear that you’re getting some relief…. I thought I’d share my situation in case anyone could benefit. I myself was trying to google the exact pain that I was feeling and finally landed on SI joint pain. During my 1st pregnancy, all was well until 35 weeks when I had this terrible pain in what I would describe as the center of my left butt cheek (thank god there’s no such thing as TMI here….). I could barely walk, roll over in bed, lift things, etc. My OB basically told me that it was just part of being ‘really’ pregnant and so I dealt with it for 5 more weeks. I got a belt and it did nothing for me. Massage slightly lifted the pain, but not really. The pain disappeared the day I gave birth.
Fast forward to 2nd baby (I’m now 26 weeks). Starting at 11 weeks, I started getting that pain again and could barely walk. The thought of dealing with the pain until 40 weeks was incredibly depressing and scary, especially now that I have a 2.5 year old to keep up with! Anyway, my OB recommended that I go to a physical therapist. She diagnosed me with an SI (sacroiliac) joint issue, basically pain where your hip bone meets your tail bone on my left side, which is right at that magical spot in my left butt cheek. Basically, as a result of all of that fantastic relaxin, my left hip had rotated back and was causing pain at the joint. I saw her three times where we did realignment exercises and then strengthening exercises. The pain went away completely in 2 weeks and has stayed away. I am thrilled!!! I still do my strengthening exercises a few times per week (I am TRYING to do them daily…. working on it…..) to keep everything in place as much as possible. Anyway, if you are having pain, talk to your OB and consider a PT. And do it early! The PT said that it was good I went early (around 13 weeks) since they can do more for you while you’re still not very far along.
Yeah…my chiropractor was highly recommended for pregnant adjustments but honestly, I was telling them it was sciatica and I also have one leg that is longer than the other so they were treating me for those things. Now that I am at the end of this pregnancy, I definitely think a visit to the chiropractor after giving birth will help as well as using a therapist for physical rehab for those ab and pelvic floor muscles will be my go-to recipe for success!
xo – kb
I’m sure they would! I betcha they are probably very similar to the exercises the therapist gave me. I’ll look into that!
xo – kb
I actually have diastsis! That is part of the reason I didn’t give much thought to my pouchy belly at the beginning of this pregnancy! I think my PT actually does both the ab muscles and the pelvic floor muscles because they are both important for healing….also, I found a yoga instructor that does diastisis-friendly sessions! cool, right?!
xo – kb
Thanks for the recommendation! I’m gonna look into that!
xo – kb
I am definitely going to try the physical therapy afterward but my PT did tell me that if I were coughing for that long (imagine months of intense coughing around the clock) and having no real recovery or therapy between big babies that it was normal to have incontinence issues. They also said that the therapy can help that but sometimes some ladies will always struggle with it for various reasons.
xo – kb
See I have slight scoliosis due to one leg being longer than the other….I think that it’s all related! And 10#8oz is big! Weston was only 10#3oz and I think that is beastly!
xo – kb
Great advice! I basically heard the same thing…it’s all called different terms but is basically the same…and when I found out, my PT said that I was too far along for anything to be really effective (except giving birth) but that postpartum therapy is still GREAT. I think your advice was spot on!
xo – kb
Aw, that sucks that it took four pregnancies to figure out the problem and treat it. At least you know now, I guess. Bone loosening is such a creepy part of pregnancy, and I swear, (even a year postpartum) they don’t tighten back up to their original state. I think that’s why I’ve had to cool it with running due to knee issues.
So sorry you are in such pain! while I didn’t experience the pain you are having during pregnancy, I had a very difficult birth that did a lot of damage to my downstairs. My doctor recommended pelvic floor rehab right in the delivery room (ya know, in case I ever wanted to be able to hold my pee in ever again). I did 12 weeks of pelvic floor rehab after I gave birth and it made a huge difference! The in-office therapies were kind of awkward but then again, wearing depends at 30 would have been worse. Thanks for bringing attention to hard to discuss issues!
Oh girl, this is genius! I’m so glad you have been able to find some relief for the time being! Praise God! Thanks so much for sharing this info. I had the pains you described and I too called them sciatica pains. This is great info o tuck away for the next go-round (Lord willing, and fingers crossed!) 🙂 I will pray for continued lessening of the pains and for a healthy baby to arrive soon! You go girl!
I had terrible pubic symphasis pain with both my pregnancies and I wore this exact belt! It was a hand-me-down from my sister who had used it for sciatica. The belt worked wonders for my issues as well. Good luck!
Hi Katie, I’m a long time follower, but first time commenter. Thanks for writing this post, I thought my experience had been abnormal! I’m now 4 months postpartum with a healthy, teething baby boy, but at 26 weeks pregnant I started experencing pain and pressure in my dowstairs region. Thankfully, although without naming the condition, my midwife suggested getting a support belt. It took me a couple more weeks of denial thinking “women are pregnant all the time and they don’t need to support their bellies.” But when I finally bought the belt and wore it regularly…it changed my life! I could walk again without tears! Thanks again and take care!
Thanks for using your internet celeb status to spread the word about these sorts of things! So many mamas don’t know about issues like this and are walking around in pain, both during pregnancy and after, as well as living w/ incontinence issues (and worse). You should do a post on diastisis when you have the chance. I’m a big fan of fit2b.us for tummy safe exercises (and fitness in general). So glad you found some relief and can enjoy these last weeks before #4 arrives! Blessings to your sweet family!
I had an episode of pubic symphysis recently from running. My massage therapist showed me an exercise to “pop” it all back into place. Since you are pg you might want to check with a professional on this but basically you squeeze something as hard as you can between your knees- I used my foam roller. You will hear a huge pop! But it worked for me- just had to do it every so often!
And incidentally, I had horrible nerve pain in my coccyx area with both my pregnancies- always thought it was from having broken my tailbone in high school but this makes so much more sense!!
Thanks for the tip on keeping it up postpartum. My PT mentioned it, but I think I was so focused on my current state at the time that thinking about postpartum seemed eons away. HOWEVER, that time will get here before I know it and I’d like to try to get myself back into good ‘pelvic shape’!
I felt like my pelvis was literally tearing apart during my pregnancy. Wearing this belt was the only way I could walk. So glad you found some relief! We’re always rooting for you Katie!
http://www.amazon.com/OPTP-Maternity-SI-LOC-S-M/dp/B0019ZYXWQ/ref=sr_1_3?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1432914101&sr=1-3&keywords=SI+loc
Oh my God you poor thing! I had kicked-in-the-crotch pain with my first pregnancy, but none in subsequent pregnancies and luckily no butt pain. Glad you found something that works. What would we do without google? That glorious search engine helped my husband and me quickly and painlessly fix our air conditioner last night. No calls to expensive technicians, no going without air in 90 degree weather while we wait for said technician. Thank you internet.
LOVED my pregnancy belt & my chiropractor during my pregnancy. I wore it over the panel of my pregnancy pants or over a super long camisole under dresses because of the rubbing. I also wouldn’t have been able to sleep without my pregnancy pillow. Both items helped keep me aligned & were worth the cost! I hope this gives you the relief you need. Good luck!
I had the same thing, brutal. the only thing that helped me was to force myself to move at a slower pace, i typically would jump out of bed in the morning on the move and i would push through pain only to find it much worse later in the day. rolling over in bed was the WORST. anyways, my advice is to move slowly, go up the stairs one run at a time, so one foot up, the next foot to the same rise and continue on like that.. it reduces the separation force on the pelvis, and then when you get up in the morning laying on your side, keep you hips aligned, push up to your elbow and then to your hand, swing your legs slowly over the edge of the bed and stand, anything you can do to keep your hips in one line will lessen the strain. OH and.. hate the be the bearer of bad news.. but it didn’t go away post-delivery for me, still hurt for about a month. now i’m good as gold…unless i get babied up again. ha! good luck!
Ohh I had that with both of my pregnancies. My dr said it was SI joint pain – I always called it my butt bone lol. That compounded with vulvar varicosities, was awful…I did even know veins could pop up where they did!!
OH MY GOSH YOU JUST SAVED ME! I had a laparoscopy in February to remove a 5inch benign adenoma and small endometrioma from my left ovary. Changed my diet, lost 26 pounds and bam after 2 months was pregnant with our first baby (FINALLY!!!! Thank you Jesus) I’m 11 weeks along and am already getting those crotch stabbings and butt seizures. Doctor said it’s because of the scar tissue around my incisions but this sounds waaayy more like the pain you’re describing. I will definitely be buying a belt as I’m a small girl (barely 5’2″) and am already showing.
I’m having horrible flashbacks of my pelvic girdle pain just reading all of these! It was awful. I hated not being able to roll over in bed or…you know…walk. Hope your pain is manageable for the next few weeks and that you get some effective therapy after delivery! Can’t wait to meet #4!!
Glad to hear it works for more than one thing! My mom has sciatica pain and I foresee that in my future 🙁
xo – kb
ha! Internet celeb status?! That is funny and couldn’t be further from the truth! But I am super glad if like two people get the motivation to call their PT!
xo – kb
Well my PT said that an injury to the pelvis will make things during pregnancy worse…like my fracture…so you might be more prone since your injury!
xo – kb
Definitely consult a PT first! If you are only 11 weeks, physical therapy is much better than any pain getting progressively worse. I wish I had known earlier the right treatment because it might have saved me from doing the belt (maybe not but from everything I’ve heard, the exercises are easy to keep up with and help with birth too!)
xo – kb
Katie you have no idea how happy you’ve made me! I’ve been reading your blog since before you were pregnant with Weston (and my son is just a little older than him!) and I had this pain with my pregnancy as well! It didn’t start til around 30 weeks and I just dealt with it but I am pregnant again and it has already started at 6 weeks! I was miserable last night and crying to my husband that I couldn’t handle 8 more months of this and then I read your blog this morning! I can’t wait to talk to my dr about this and finally have some relief! Thank you so so much for being so real and sharing your life with us 🙂
Glad to hear that you’re feeling better! Here’s to a painfree last few weeks. You’re almost there!
OMG! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I could just hug you right now. We are in the same exact boat as you… we currently have three babies (had them in three years) and the fourth baby will come within 5 1/2 years of the first. Had the pains with baby #1, however the real pain started with baby #2 and has continued through with the subsequent pregnancies. Felt like someone was taking a hammer (and sometimes a nail along with it) to my pelvic bone and the only way to alleviate the pain was to sit with my feet propped up for about five minutes, we won’t even get into the seizing up that would double you over and take your breath away. The pelvic pressure and stabbing pains were so bad that we even went to the E.R. at one point fearing early labor/complications, leaving with a diagnosis of “I just don’t know”. O.B. and midwife always sited sciatica or round ligament pain. You just described Every. Single. Thing. to a T! Even with a medical background, I had never heard of PGP. Thank you, thank you, thank you for arming me (and others!) with the information and giving me hope that pregnancy #4 will be less painful! Woo-hoo!
I know how you feel! With my second pregnancy I had symphysis pubis dysfunction and it was excruciating–enough that it will probably stop me from baby number 3. Seems quite similar to what you are experiencing. I, too, did the lovely pelvic girdle and saw a pelvic PT specialist to get me though. SPD also resolves after delivery. It is very mentally draining on you to be in that much pain and nothing you can really do about it except wait it out.
Ok, mommy brain moment. just realized PGP and SPD are the same thing!!! No one understands how horrible this is unless they have experienced it! Bless your little pregnant heart :)))
I had a very similar situation but more back pain during my pregnancy. I bought one of these belts and it was a lifesaver. Please look into physical therapy after the birth. I did chiropractor visits too but they didn’t even come close to the relief I feel after visiting the physical therapist. The exercises they can give you are life changing!
I had the pain with my first that you described with Will. My poor crotch! We are trying for no. 2 and thus is s helpful post should I have pain again! Glad you found relief!
Hi Katie! Your body isn’t failing you, its doing one of the most miraculous things it can do -growing a tiny human! And that’s hard work! Trust in your body and know that you are a goddess and can do this! ☺good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!
I really struggled with PGP in both of my pregnancies, so much so that I had crutches & waited 6 years between children. It’s very painful. Bathing helps temporarily, making sure you keep your knees together so that you’re not yanking your bones apart, no vaccuming, sit down when getting dressed – don’t lift one leg to put a shoe on, sleeping with a pillow between your knees to level things out.
Good luck, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.
Hei there
Thank you so much for your blog and especially this entry! I had and have exactly the same during my pregnancies. It is a real buzz killer. The belt also helped me a lot. I really like how open you talk about these things. Hearing other mums having similar issues helps so much when going through these things. I also had & unfortunately have all sorts of pee accidents… then I found this New Zealand company which does awesome underwear which absorbs the little accidents (much better than using pads all the time). I just got a couple and they really made my life easier. maybe this helps you too other reading this http://www.confitexunderwear.com
Big hug from all the way from Switzerland!
Wow this is amazing timing. I spent all day yesterday googling pelvic girdle pain and I have it to a T. Mine just started about a week ago (I’m 28 weeks) and the pain keeps getting worse. At first I thought it might be SPD but that seems to be more focused on the front. Mine is mostly centered around the back and sides of the opening of my pelvis. The best way I can describe it is that it feels like I’ve been riding a horse all day (and then kicked in the crotch by said horse). There’s also a lot of pressure, it feels like my organs are falling out, and that’s also supposed to be a symptom. Mine started right after I started prenatal yoga, so I’m wondering if any of the posed triggered it. I ordered the belt you recommended ( I have one from my last pregnancy but it’s to small now…womp womp.) I’m hoping that plus a chiropractor will at least help ease the pain. Thanks for the advice.
First of all, SUPER happy you found out about PGP, I’ve been misdiagnosed once in my life (having to do with my knee) and getting the right diagnosis makes a huge difference! 😉
Secondly, its funny thats the support belt you are using for your pain. It’s the same belt I used when I was very pregnant with my twins. I didn’t have the same pain as you per say but the weight of my twins on my pelvis was so amazingly painful. The only way I could walk around the house was with that belt. My husband called it my astronaut belt! I wore it over clothing when at home also, I did not care. Even out and about I didn’t care if people could see it under my clothing. Let THEM try to carry twins!! It was the closest I got to somebody taking the pregnancy off my hands for a couple of hours. It was a beautiful thing.
Again, SO happy you found relief!!! Wishing all the best for you and baby #4 for these last few weeks!
Hey katie,
I know it’s a little late in the game for you but I have this same issue with my pregnancies too. Look into si joint belts, works the best (I have every support belt and went to a pelvis specialized pt who recommended it) I have the serola brand one and love it. Holds the whole pelvis together and wear if for a couple weeks after delivery too to help everything go back into place. Good luck 🙂
Hi Katie! I’m pregnant with our third boy due end of Aug/beginning of Sept and I was wondering if you could share these hip alignment movements you mentioned at the end of your post? Also what other exercises are you doing?
Such a great post Katie!!! Its these posts that save struggling pregnant mommas in pain. So glad you wrote about it and glad you are feeling better.
Judging from the number of comments, there must be a lot of pregnant women suffering from PGP or PSD. I am astonished that obstetricians don’t have this on their radar. Dismissing symptoms as sciatica and then writing scripts for PT for sciatica seems irresponsible. I guess we have to our own advocates, but how many of us know where to start when even the doctor turns out to be clueless.
I also had 4 children within a 5 year period. They were not kind to my body and would often have pelvic pain. With my second child I fell twice while pregnant. That really brought on the pelvic pain. Its was with my third that things got horrible. I got the stomach flu and thought I’d rupture my water heaving. It was so bad I was hospitalized for several days. Those last two months I described my pain as she (my soon to be daughter) was clawing her way out with her talons. My hips were unbareable, I couldn’t wait for the pregnacy to be over. She ended up being nearly 9lb, my biggest baby. My last child was born 18 months later. That was my largest gap between pregnancies. I wish I had had your advice during that time. T
My kids are now ages 20-16 but that pain is still very much ingrained into my mind. Going into labor was such a relief that those pains were almost joyus compared to the pelvic pain. I’ll try to remember this when it comes time for my daughters to have babies. Though that should be very far off.
I am so happy for you that you found a solution to help you! I had that with both my girls, 2nd was alot worse than the first-I had trouble walking too! In Oz we call it something different (SPD) but it sounds like the the same thing. I feel your pain-and #4 must have been soooo much worse that the others.
Can’t believe your little one is almost here already!!
I hate to do that because I really think that everyone should go to their own PT and get what is necessary for their own case-by-case situation. My situation that I talked about is mostly pain this time on my left side in the joint and my left leg is basically dead weight. I got a list of exercises over the phone with the PT to help with adjusting alignment and made an appointment to go see them as soon as the baby is out (this was what they recommended because I am so far along). I also do modified exercises that I found online (you can google ‘pelvic floor exercises’ or ‘pelvic exercises’ and look for yourself)….but really…you should always check with your OB and your PT first!
xo – kb
Ok, this is seriously a post for me! I am 6 months pregnant and have been experiencing the same kind of pain you have described…i think my husband thinks I’m crazy everytime I say “my butt is hurting again.” The chiro stretches have helped some, but it keeps coming back, so I will have to give the belt a try! Thank you!
Dear Katie and all other pregnant and postpartum moms experiencing PGP/SPD:
This condition is treatable!!!! I experienced intense pain (it was then called symphisis pubic dysfunction) during my second pregnancy and could barely walk. I remember trying to roll my pregnant self over in bed at night and crying in pain, as well as hearing bones move. It was awful- enough to stop me from having any more children. I was in PT for 18 months and managed to get my body stabilized. Fast forward seven years and I was pregnant!! with my third. I was terrified when the pain came back early on in the pregnancy. I sought PT right away and tried the belt, which didn’t really help. I changed my regular PT to a WOMENS PELVIC FLOOR SPECIALIST and she changed my life. She relieved my pain immediately- educated me and taught me how to relieve and get rid of my own pain by doing a few simple muscle manipulations. I call her my miracle worker. I did not believe her when she told me the pain was unnecessary and treatable but I was wrong and so thankful I found her. I was continually pain free after four times of seeing her and had zero pain during labor, delivery and recovery. Please, ladies, be your own advocate and seek out a pelvic floor specialist and ask that she show you how to do muscle manipulation on your pelvic/pubic bone area. I found that many PT don’t know what this is, but keep looking until you find someone who does! If you are in the Chicagoland area and would like this miracle workers name, email me and I will gladly pass that along to you. Katie, best wishes to you as you finish this pregnancy out.
Oh how I feel your pain!! With both girls, I caught a horrible cold and would cough till I wet myself.
With my first, I thought she was sitting on a nerve since it would take me 10-15 minutes to stand. At work, I had to make a plan to use my garbage can for the bathroom should I not make it upright fast enough.
Then I found the belt!! I must have had PGP. I still battle relaxin side effects with my hips and I’m 7 months post baby.
Thanks Danielle for offering that info up! I wish I had done something sooner and hope that others get the help they need!
xo – kb
wow!! I am 51 and have 3 kids, 30, 24 and surprise 15. this is one of the many reasons I read you faithfully. ok you all are really cute…..but I learn something new!!! I had it terribly in my last pregnancy! Have never heard of this. Cannot wait till #4 comes out and we see him! Yours all look different and cute as can be. But LJ’s hair was just to die for! Good Luck! Lots of Love from Houston
I just had to butt in. I fell on the ice too at 7 months and did the splits. It was at 9 after my pharmacy shift and it was in my driveway in a dress. I couldn’t get up. I was very sore for weeks. But what made it worse was I was craving cheese sticks and poppers. Sadly I lost them all on my driveway. 🙁
Haha. . . well, you’re at least a little celebrity-ish. (You’ve been on the tv, after all.) I feel like if even a small group of people would say “Look! It’s Katie Bower. . . oh my gosh!” if they saw you at Target, then you qualify as a minor celebrity. 🙂 Either way, really glad you shared. Scrolling thru the comments it looks like there are a ton of people out there who needed this info!
Just some tips for you as I had SPD withboth my children who are now 12 & 9. The important thing is that the pain will go away, but you do need to be careful post child birth for up to a year especially if you are breastfeeding, but even if you are not as the ligaments take this long to get back to normal post delivery. Buy a big bouncy birthing ball, and sit on this instead of chairs, this helps with the pressure on the joints and ligaments when sitting. Get in the car princess style (legs to gether and twist at the hips!) and when birthing, do not birth on your back, birth on your left hand side or on all fours. Use your big bouncy birthing ball for as long as possible during labour. I am in the UK so I do know that delivery care is very different as we are midwife led and not doctor led and have less use of drips etc, but give it a go. Good luck, you’re an old hat at this with 3 births behind you. that is generally enough momentum to entice mothers into their 3-4 years of midwife training in this country.xx
Hi Katie…just caching up on your post…I like to have a binge read.
Here in australa it is known as SPD- Symphysis Pubis Disorder…but is the same thing. I had it with our girl and ended up on crutches! It was bloody horrible and I had to stop work (early year teaching) at 26 weeks because I could barely move. Exercises helped heapsssss and I got off the crutch.ings at about 32 weeks….I had never been so committed to getting off them because like you I am terrible at asking and accepting help and there was a wheelchair suggestion at one point too.. My OB has informed of it comes back and worse with each baby but if you can predict it with belt/shorts and exercises it can lessen……wishing you health and peace in your pain.
Hello! I came back to reference this post as I am suffering from TERRIBLE pain due to SPD and SI issues in my second pregnancy. I experienced this during my first pregnancy too, and went to PT, but it wasn’t much help and my PT was pretty clueless about women’s pelvic floor issues. I’m near Chicago — can you please offer the name of th facility you went to?? Thank you!!!!!!!!!