Pelvic Pain During Third Trimester

Updated on March 07, 2010
A.S. asks from Dallas, TX
23 answers

I am currently pregnant with my second child and I am in the final stretch with about 10 weeks to go. Over the last few weeks i have been having significant pain associated with the pelvic muscles. I expected to start feeling uncomfortable, especially after a long day but this is different. I am having moderate to severe pain when I am lying down in one position for longer than about 5 minutes. It gets worse the longer I lie in one position and I am unable to move or change positions without wincing or gasping. The pain goes away after I begin to move around but the first 20 minutes after I get out of bed are horrible and on top of that the pain in my sciatic nerve has started acting up as well. My doctor assures me that everything is normal as far as the baby goes and has offered a few suggestions including soaking in a bath, using a heating pad, and sleeping with a pillow between my legs but nothing seems to be helping. I hate to think that I may continue to go through the for the remainder of the pregnancy and I'm just glad that the pain goes away after I get up and start moving around. I was wondering if other moms-to-be have experienced the same thing and what if anything you have done to help relieve the pain.

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So What Happened?

Wow! I never thought I'd receive such an overwhelming number of responses in such a short period of time. i really appreciate all the advice and suggestions from all the Moms out there and i have plenty of things to try out. I have an appointment on Wednesday for a pregnancy massage and if that doesn't help I'll see what recommendations my doctor has for a chiropractor. Thank You Again to everyone that responded.

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C.T.

answers from Dallas on

I had terrible pains in my groin my last trimester with my second baby. After my almost 10 lb. baby was born I realized all that weight was causing the pain. Maybe you just have a big baby on the way. Could you take some Tylenol to help with the pain? Good luck and congratulations!

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S.S.

answers from Wichita Falls on

I saw a chiropractor and wore a support garment made of various elastics that cost about $70. If I had it to do over again, I'd double up on the chiropractor and buy a belly belt.

Good luck
S.

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L.E.

answers from Louisville on

i have been going threw the same thing it is soo painful this is my first baby soo i dont kno whats goin on but its hard to deal with. i have 11 weeks to go and i dont think i can deal with it that much longer. my doctor acts like it is no big deal i just use a heating pad but it does not help like i wish it would.

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T.F.

answers from Dallas on

A.:
I had this issue when pregnant though it sounds that it did not get as bad as yours. I am sure you will get many other suggestions and they may or may not work but I wanted to add what worked best for me!

CHIROPRACTOR AND MASSAGE THERAPY!!!!!!!!! GOD'S GIFT TO PREGNANT WOMEN!!!!! It is safe during pregnancy. Just make sure the chiropractor/massage therapist knows you are pregnant at the time you make the first appointment (some are more comfortable treating pregnant women than others). While there, ask him/her to teach you stretching techniques you can do at home for the painful areas. The chiropractor/message therapist worked great but he/she is not available 24/7. The stretches they taught me were invaluable during pregnancy with my sciatic issues (and I actually still use some of them today for stretching before working out). Not only that, but the therapy relieved me so much that the night after the therapy (that evening), I would sleep VERY peacefully and wake feeling very refreshed, unlike the rest of the time. I could tell within minutes of leaving the appt that I was more relaxed in the muscle areas and pain was still there but not as sharp or intense. I became a massage and therapy junky when pregnant-LOL!

After a visit to the chiro/massage therapist or stretching out a pain on my own, a warm shower (i liked the steam) worked really good to soothe and calm me for sleep. At other times before bed, when I had to, I resorted to benedryl or tylonol pm at bedtime to help me sleep. Lavender also works well for peacefull sleep. They worked to knock me out but I did not wake refreshed but some sleep was better than none. Benedryl and tylonol pm are safe during pregnancy. If you use lavendar oils ON YOUR SKIN, make sure they are pure oils. If you are not sure, just use them as "sniffers" in the bedroom or bath and do not directly put on your skin (as if they do have any toxins in them, they will be absorbed through the skin but if they are pure, they are 100% fine to be absorbed)!

Some pregnant mommas I know swore to the pregnancy tummy wedge to sleep with. I did the pillow between the knees and slept as much in the fetal position as possible to take the stress off my lower back. I also sat on a sitting wedge (made for pregnant women but you can get the same thing made for other back uses)at work and that also helped greatly (I work a desk job). I also liked a pillow wedged up against my back at night when sleeping for support from spinal twisting during sleep.

Hope some of these work for you!
Good luck!

T.

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M.B.

answers from Dallas on

I have the same issue! Mine is any time any position, sitting or standing. I'm due with our third in about two weeks. I've been in pain for more than a month. Especially when the Braxton Hicks hit. OUCH! My doc says it's normal too. I have not found anything to relieve it. I'm not sure there is anything to do. Maybe you'll get some good responses and we will both get some relief. Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and delivery!

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Z.Z.

answers from Dallas on

A.,

I had similar pelvic pains that increasingly got worse the further along in my pregnancy. Near the final 2-4 weeks I ended up sleeping in the recliner at night. It did not enable me to get good sleep by any means but it was the only way I could rest without feeling the pain.

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D.W.

answers from Dallas on

I had a lot of pelvic pain with my first pregnancy with twins. I think it was what the other person described as separating. It also felt like there would be a rush a fluids everytime I changed positions and I'd have to wait a minute for the pain to go away. I think it's similar to what you are experiencing. I was also worried, but I had a very healthy pregnancy and it seems that the pain was normal and not indicative of any problems. I'm pg again and due in a week or two and fortunately I don't have the same pain this time around. I hope the pain gets better for you. I was having the sciatic pain a couple of weeks ago, but it's not as bad now. Maybe your baby will change positions a little and it will help.

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M.B.

answers from Dallas on

I feel your pain...literally! I am 35 weeks and have been having similar problems myself. I have had a lot of success with chiropractic. I've been having regular chiropractic care throughout my pregnancy and it has helped a lot. I started going about once a week for the past month or so and I've been feeling so much better. I have to admit that I do still get pain in my pelvis/hips but it is so much more manageable. Here is the number for my chiropractor. There are two women that work there and they are both amazing. I'm not sure where you are but they are in Allen.
New Directions Chiropractic ###-###-####
Good luck and hope you feel better soon!

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T.C.

answers from Amarillo on

A., I am going through the samething right now. What your doctor has told you is the same as what I am hearing. It doesnt make me feel any better but I follow them. I am not due until A., but my Doc said we are going to have the baby on March 13th. I have had this pain since about 22 weeks. There is nothing that really helps, I hate to tell you that but I have tried everything. I had a massage but they do not do your upper leggs at all.

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H.B.

answers from Dallas on

Hi A.! I have the same problem, although mine isn't as severe as yours! I wake up with pain in the middle of the night! It is so bad it takes my breath away!
It has gotten better recently though, and I am about six weeks from delivering! So, hopefully your pain gets better! I have heard that it is just because every subsequent pregnancy, you carry the baby lower and lower, so I think the baby is just pressing down on all your nerves and muscles, making it uncomfortable! I just make sure to stretch before going to bed and when I get up in the morning! It seems to help! Don't worry though, soon you will have your new baby and all that pain will be worth it! Good luck!

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R.M.

answers from Dallas on

A., sorry you are in so much pain. Are you carrying the baby low. I had 4 sons, carried them all low but the 3rd one was no bigger, no longer but created the kind of havoc you are talking about. He would kick nerves so bad that I thought he was going to be born right that moment. Luckily, I didn't suffer from the back pain. The only relief I got was by doing things you've already mentioned. Believe it or not the closer I got to my due date, I was feeling less pain. Hopefully, you will too. I'm sorry I know of no other remedies, but it is normal. Sorry for your pain & best of Luck to you & your new baby!

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E.B.

answers from Dallas on

This is called pubic symphysis dysfunction/separation. Here's a good article about it:

http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/pubicpain.htm

Don't let anyone tell you that nothing can be done about it. Chiropractic is *very helpful*. I'm currently pregnant and experiencing PSD for the 4th time. You will want to find a chiro with lots of experience treating pregnant women. Once place to start is http://www.icpa4kids.org/ ; or if you let me know I can email you some recommendations.

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J.T.

answers from Dallas on

Although many women do struggle with low back, sciatic and pelvic pain during pregnancy, you don't have to. Chiropractic care a is safe, effective and drug free way to ease the "growing pains" of pregnancy. Honestly I don't see how women do it without chiropractic care! I had it all through my first pregnancy and I'm currently expecting now, and I never miss my adjustment.
I'm a chiropractor in the Plano area and see many pregnant women. If you're in the area, I would love to see you or if you are in another area, I'll recommend you to one that's more convenient. Just email me at: ____@____.com we'll help you get on the mend. Dr. J. Taylor

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C.P.

answers from Dallas on

I feel for you girl, I am going through the same thing. I am 38 weeks and I think I have been going through this for about 8 weeks. This is my second pregnancy and I never had this with my first. It is probably a mild case of pelvic seperation, luckily not a full blown case or we wouldn't feel better when we do get up and get moving around again. Full blown cases even affect you when you are trying to walk, urgh. I have a chiropractor and it helps when I see her regularly. There is nothing else that actually helps though. I do pelvic rocks, tailor sitting, butterfly stretches, baths, and wear my support belt, but this still happens in the night unless I have had 3 or 4 adjustments from my chiroprator in a row. So one or two nights of releif in a week is all I have ever gotten. I am so sorry to deliver this news to you. If you find something to help please post it or send me the information, I would kiss your feet. I am a midwife client so who knows when I will deliver and how much longer I will be carrying the baby and going through this. I didn't deliver my first until 41 and 2 days. I would not recommend the Tylenol, awfully h*** o* the baby to be receiving adult doses of Tylenol. If you need a chiropractor recommendation I have one in Arlington and know 2 great ones in the Hurst, Euless, Colleyville areas. Best wishes to you.

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M.A.

answers from Dallas on

Go see a chiropractor. I was having lower back pain and groin pain (I am only 5 months along) and went to see Dr. Ruth Durkee. She is great. Her office is on 75 & Fitzhugh. Her number is ###-###-####.

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D.S.

answers from Dallas on

Hi A.!

I would definitely recommend going to a Chiropractor! I am a Chiropractor and I have treated a tremendous number of pregnant women over the years. There is definitely no reason to suffer through your pregnancy when it can be a time you cherish and enjoy. Our bodies have amazing abilities to accomodate for pregnancy. However, if we put to much stress on our bodies by poor posture, wearing the wrong shoes, sleeping incorrectly, and by doing more than we should, our bodies need a bit of assistance. I have helped pregnant women with low back pain, pain between the shoulders, sciatic nerve pain, rib pain, neck pain, etc. I believe that pregnancy should be a time you enjoy! Chiropractic care helped me to enjoy my pregnancy! If you have any questions or would like more information please don't hesitate to call me at ###-###-#### or visit my website at sullivanchiropractic.com. Thanks!
Dr. Sandra S.

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S.E.

answers from Dallas on

I had the exact same thing!! Except I forgot what it was called...my doctor said it was something and I forget what he said as that was almost 3 years ago. I remember it was awful! And yes, I'm sorry to say that it will NOT go away during your pregnancy. But the minute the epideral and all the pain meds wore off, it was gone. I was worried about it never going away but don't worry, once you have the baby it will go away.
S.

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B.D.

answers from Dallas on

I would recommend looking up pregnancy-safe stretches. My third baby has been carrying much differently than the first two and I have pains I don't remember having with the others. I have also been having to deal with sciatic nerve problems off and on this pregnancy. When I keep up with stretching, a lot of the pains are better. There is one specific stretch I would recommend for your sciatic nerve (which for me affected me lying down and for several minutes after standing up). Sit in a chair and cross your leg ankle to knee, like a man sits. Lean forward to stretch the back of your leg and bottom. Do this several times a day. It will take a good 4-5 days to start getting sciatic nerve relief, but that stretch has been my life saver this pregnancy. Good luck and I hope you get some relief soon!

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K.J.

answers from Dallas on

I am going through the same thing. The Nesting Place suggested that I get on all fours (hands and knees, so attractive huh!) It takes a few minutes to start feeling relief, but it does eventually help.

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B.P.

answers from Abilene on

Almost 6 years later and I still remember what you are going through.

The only way I could sleep was very propped up in bed (several pillows behind my head) and a couple behind my knees or in the recliner. I also had to make sure that the chairs that I sat in were very very padded. It didn't take long to realize I could no longer sit on the edge of the tub and shave my legs and what chairs at my office worked for me and what didn't.

I hate to tell you but it will probably be a trial and error thing for you to find out what works best for you.

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A.M.

answers from Dallas on

Hey A.!
I am so sorry to hear about your pain. It is a good thing babies are so worth all we go through during pregnancy! I had the same kind of pain throughout my pregnancy. I remember trying to put pants on and literally couldn't lift my leg because it hurt so bad. I asked my doctor what to do and she said unfortunately it is just because the baby is sitting so low. There wasn't much that helped me except for sleeping with two pillows between my legs. Sorry I am not much help but I thought I would let you know that it is normal.
Good luck!

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J.T.

answers from Dallas on

it sounds like you may be one of the "lucky" ones that gets to feel your pubic bone separating(it's called pubic something blah blah blah - i can't remember). from everything i've heard(mostly from my OB), there's really nothing you can do but manage the symptoms - which are pain and pressure. baths, find a comfy position(if you can), more/less walking(whatever helps YOU), has your OB okayed tylenol? if it is that pubic thing, it's probably gonna get worse :( hate to tell you that. i'm 38 weeks tomorrow, and there are days i want to DIE - my OB offered to induce me with a mature amnio last week, but i'm trying to hang on until my scheduled induction this coming friday. i really hope you get some relief SOON!

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L.C.

answers from Dallas on

It sounds to me like the pain you are getting is due to your pelvic ligaments loosening up in preparation for the birthing process. This in a normal, if annoying problem, common during the third trimester. There are techniques that a trained pre-natal massage therapist should know that could go a long way to helping ease this discomfort and also the sciatic nerve pain.
By the way, if you live anywhere near Euless, I am a trained pre-natal massage therapist who could help you with this problem. My phone number is: ###-###-#### if you want to discuss this further.

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