Does anyone have any experiance of back and pelvis problems in pregnancy?

Had to go to hospital at the weekend with extreme back and pelvis pain - the doctors are referring me to a physio as they think the ligaments in my pelvis have softened. Apparantly there is a chance that I could end up with my pelvis splitting and having to walk with crutches and/or bed rest for the rest of my pregnancy (12 weeks).

Have tried paracetomal which doesnt work so the doctors at my surgery prescribed me co-codamol at a low doseage which again didnt work. The hospital gave me a much higher doseage which caused me to hallucinate so they wont prescribe me that even though it took away the pain. Have tried massage, hot baths, hot water bottles etc and nothing. Was advised to try a TENS machine but the hospital then advised me against it as it could bring on labour.

Had another appointment at the hospital yesterday and have had another referral - am there at 9am on thursday. The midwife pressed about this afternoon and I nearly punched her was in that much pain.

They have said it is DEF crutches and might even have to have a Csection due to the problems im having as they are only going to get worse apparantly.

If anyone has any other advice I would greatly appreciate it as the pain is really bad and NOTHING seems to shift it. Whether Im sat up, laid down, staying still or moving about Im still in agony

Hi! I just saw your question and just want to share my experience. I have 5 children and am prego with another. I had much the same pain in previous pregnancies. The last one (2007) was worst of all. It felt like there was a bowling ball attatched to my pelvis by a hook! Or like someone had hit me in the crotch with a big hammer or something. Or the worst pms blood flow/ bloating throbbing shooting pelvic pain (times 1000) ever! It was horrible pain, to say the least. I couldn't even lift my foot to put on pants or shoes without huge jolts of pain shooting from my pelvis down to my feet and sometimes up to my head. I could go on about all the things that hurt but I'm sure you don't need more reminders of the pain. I do remember it seemed to always be there or getting much worse. I don't remember any relief, just slightly less pain or lots more pain. When I addressed this with my drs, they told me it was round ligament pain, or a scratch on my vulva! Not even close to the correct areas on my body! I mentioned it every visit to see if some new idea popped into their "expert minds". It wasn't till I was 8 months that one finally connected the dots to what is an early separation of the pubic bones. Duh! They didn't listen to me when I suggested that! Anyway, take heart that your drs are aware and sympathetic to your situation. That is a huge blessing to be believed and understood. Even when the drs would check fundal height and barely touch my pubic bone, it was as though a knife was being stabbed in me. I shudder remembering the pain. I ended up with another c-section and I didn't realize how bad the pain was (that I wasn't being a baby, it was real pain!) till on the operating table. I finally had no pain for the first time in 7 months, and cried from relief! I learned that's a long time to be in horrible pain! During the pregnancy, I walked as much as I could (some women with this don't, but I think that would make any movement later, hurt worse). When I couldn't move because of the pain, I laid down on my side with pillows carefully placed between my legs and at my back, as without a pillow the pressure becomes even more excrutiating! Sometimes laying on my back (tilted to the side slightly, of course) with pillows under my knees helped too. Baths as you are doing, heating pads or even ice may help temporarily, but I never found anything that took the pain away for long. Sorry. Try not to gain excess weight because it will only add to the total pressure. I only took tylenol a few times since it didn't really touch the pain. I wasn't given an offer of anything else since my drs didn't understand or care. It's not like this was my first and I was a wimpy girl crying about every little thing. I'm not sure I'd have taken the meds anyway because of my desire to keep as healthy an environment for the baby as possible. This time around, I just might take them so I can get relief occassionally! One doctor suggested wearing a pregnancy belly band that lifts and supports the belly. Since this advice was given a bit late, I couldn't make use of it, so I don't know if it helps or not. Mostly, I just grinned and bore the pain, all day and night, every day and every night. No fun but I tried to remember that a beautiful baby was at the end and that this shouldn't be permanent. It made me very sympathetic to pain in others and grateful I don't deal with chronic pain for my life. Be very glad your drs care!!!! Tell them too! A little sucking up to them can't hurt your cause. I wish I'd had a cane because I think that would have made walking easier, goofy with four kids, but easier and maybe a little less painful. I'm starting to go through the same thing with this pregnancy, so part of me is scared of the pain. I really do understand what you are going through. Four days after my last c-sections, I took care of my whole family by myself. They all had flu for several days. Throwing up, diarrhea, fevers cough, etc. All that and the extra cleaning, extra laundry and meals that needed tending to, I did alone because I had no help. Since I had been so used to the horrible pain from the pregs, I was able to do this, because even the inscision/recovery pain was mild in comparison. I learned I am stronger than I thought. When you feel like you are being torn apart just to stand and wash dishes, let alone walk in the grocery store, doing anything seems a huge chore. I really do understand. From reading other sites where women dealth with this, most just stopped moving. Personally, I think this would only make the whole pregnancy feel like it was never ending and create more huge stresses (child care, housekeeping etc). Anyone on bedrest understands how long a day can last when you are stuck in bed. I tried not to overdo, took lots of breaks but I kept moving because to stop didn't take away the pain anyway. Also, moving kept me limber, so to speak. Because my drs were so clueless, I don't know if I did right or not but I did the best I could. I had four children 2 1/2 -7yrs, was moving into my new home with no help from hubby who had to work, and kinda had no choice. Sorry, I wish I could offer some better advice or a cure. This was my experience and since I expect this pregs to be similar I just want you to know someone understands. If you would like someone to talk to, here's my email:
ragtagschafer@yahoo.com
I'm about 18 wks along myself, 35 yrs old, prego with # 6.
The excruciating pain with the last baby stopped after about a day or so after delivery. There was some residual pain but nothing in comparison to the pregs pain. I had no pain with the first pregs (twins) that seemed excessive but maybe there were so many things going on and I didn't know better, so I didn't notice. For the third baby, she got stuck and had to be delivered by c-section. The pain seemed to have started with her and didn't end for a few months after her delivery, probably because of the pushing for an hour. With baby #4, she came too quickly for a c-section. Horrible, painful delivery. The pain lasted for 18 months, no exaggerration! I couldn't take up jogging for two years and even walking was uncomfortable, so I had to be mindful of my limits or suffer with more pain. But you gotta do what needs to be done when you have kids. If your drs recommend the c-section, based on my experience with both deliveries and this situation, I'd take the section rather than cause any more damage or pain in that area than neccessary. That's just my personal opinion.
You are stronger than you think and you can get through this.
Have a great day. Keep your chin up. Know someone understands and cares.
And most of all, remember that this too shall pass, eventually. The pregnancy can't last much passed 40 weeks!
Remember to email me if you want. I could use someone who understands too!
Randi

I haven't experienced that after my pregnancy. Back and pelvis pain were normal during pregnancy.

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