Pelvic Girdle Pain...is it keeping you up at night?

You have three pelvic joints in your body: two sacroilliac joints and a pubic symphasis. During pregnancy, a hormone called Relaxin will help all of your joints loosen in preparation to childbirth (especially the pubic symphasis, directly in the middle of where the hips join). Relaxin is also the culprit of your new found clumsiness... you must be wondering by now, "Why the heck can't I hold on to things anymore and drop everything?!?", Relaxin!

Something that pains some women during pregnancy is known as Pelvic Girdle Pain. PGP often presents symptoms like a chronic back ache, lower pelvis ache on one or both sides and radiating pain down the bum and the legs. Other symptoms include:

* Present swelling and/or inflammation over joint.
* Difficulty lifting leg.
* Pain pulling legs apart.
* Unable to stand on one leg.
* Unable to transfer weight through pelvis and legs.
* Pain in hips and/or restriction of hip movement.
* Transferred nerve pain down leg.
* Can be associated with bladder and/or bowel dysfunction.
* A feeling of symphysis pubis giving way.
* Stand with a stooped over back.
* Malalignment of pelvic and/or back joints.
* Struggle to sit or stand.
* Pain may also radiate down the inner thighs.
* You may waddle or shuffle.
* Aware of an audible ‘clicking’ sound coming from the pelvis.

The cause of PGP is unknown for the most part, but there are several theories that can be found here.

How can PGP be treated? I can imagine how uncomfortable you must be at the end of your pregnancies and having to deal with this. Some women even experience it by 14 weeks! (ugh, can you imagine?!) But, it can be dealt with! Here are some self-help tips for PGP:

* When getting into bed sit on the edge keeping knees close together, lie down on your side, lifting both legs at the same time. Reverse this to get up.
* Try not to attempt to pull yourself up from lying on your back.
* Keep knees together when rolling over in bed.
* Sleep with a pillow between the legs; add more in other areas for support.
* When getting into a car: Sit down first and then swing legs keeping them together.
* Avoid sofas and chairs that are too low or too soft.
* Try to reduce the stress on the joint.
* Avoid any movement with your knees apart.
* Take smaller steps when walking.
* Avoid stairs if possible.
* Take breaks.
* Move within the limits of pain.
* Avoid twisting, bending or squatting.

Also, your doctor or midwife may suggest seeing a Physical Therapist that can help you tone the pelvic and abdominal muscles to releive some of the pressure on your pelvic joints. (Also, a little Tylenol can't hurt ladies! It's completely safe during pregnancy!).