H.C. asks from Suffolk, VA on March 23, 2008
Sacrum Pain
I need advice from anyone who has experienced severe sacrum pain during their pregnancy. Mine started very early about 8wks and I am 24wks now and it is just getting worse. Does anyone have any suggestions of what they did to help relieve their pain? I really don't want to take pain meds, I would rather not cover up the pain but try to fix it. I have spoken to my OB about this at my visits but he has no advice and I am dying in pain. I have tried a deep tissue massage and it took the edge off for a day but it seems worse now than ever. Other than Tylenol and a heating pad on low, & warm baths...Is there anything else I could do. I was doing Yoga in the begining, but I can barely walk, sit or lay down at this point. This is my second pregnancy and I never had any problems the first time. Thanks in advance for any suggestions and sharing your experiences.
More Answers
R.H. answers from Allentown on April 01, 2008
getting regular chiropractic care is great for you AND baby. I worked for a chiro. during my first pregnancy, getting 'adjusted' the whole way through... my daughter got adjusted at 2 weeks old (going through the birth canal is traumatic for a baby and the adjustment is as gentle as testing the ripeness of a tomato!) Now during my second pregnancy I continue to get adjusted and am feeling great! (I'm 19 weeks pregnant).
Ask about hot or cold therapy... since it's a joint issue (as the joints relax) and not a muscle issue the doctor or chiro. may recommend ice instead of heat (which most people tend to think is the right therapy to use with pain not caused by an injury).
Hope you get to feeling better.
R.
A.B. answers from Philadelphia on March 26, 2008
I had severe pain with my second pregnancy, especially during labor, when the baby moved down even more. When the pain started, about the second month, I think, the doctor told me that as the baby gets bigger, it has to take more room and it will move up. She did. It was such a relief to have the pain gone! Then, in the third trimester, she was so big that she had no choice to go back down there. I was so happy to have the pain-free time I was given! My best advice is to lay on your side (they say the left because of blood flow, but it was the right for me) and tilt your pelvis forward onto a pillow pile - like you were rolling over onto your stomach, but just let your leg rest on the pillow. It gives you a little place to let your stomach "hang" without laying on top of it. Hope it helps!
~A.
the Pampered Chef
R.Z. answers from Philadelphia on March 24, 2008
Definitely try an orthopedic or physical medicine physician first (before chiropractor). I've had problems with my sacrum b/4 pregnancy -- it actually didn't bother me during it, believe it or not. But, I had some physical therapy and then I found that gentle hatha yoga helped a lot! Good luck... I know the pain you're having, and it's no fun.
J.M. answers from Pittsburgh on March 24, 2008
C.H. answers from Allentown on March 24, 2008
go to orthopedist to find out what is wrong.
Possibly how you are carrying the baby and some pains just get worse with each pregancy.
D.G. answers from Philadelphia on March 25, 2008
I have issues with my sacrum, but mine come about much further in pregnancy, around week 30 or so. I had a c section with my DD because she got stuck in my pelvis during delivery and in my surgical notes it states that I have a very flat sacrum. Not sure if that has anything to do with my pain or not. I attribute my pain to malpositioning of the baby. Mine has been hanging out posterior on the right side, and that is the side of my pain. There is something I read about called the buckled sacrum manuver where you stand with your hands resting on the wall, feet shouler length apart and someone runs the heel of their palm down your spine and where their hand gets resistance they appply pressure until they can continue down the spine. Its a midwifery trick used in labor. (Check out spinningbabies.com) I have read about using a maternity belt also, but being that your pain began so early I am not sure if this would help. I have read a lot of advice on forums saying that a webster trained chrio is a must, but I have not attempted that. I do personally believe that I have an alignment problem, one of my legs is very slightly longer than the other, not sure if its genetic or if I am just all out of wack in my pelvis. I am sorry I could not be more help, but I thought I would respond anyway. Good luck.
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