postpartum pains BTDT?

[maestramommy]

Ever since Laurel was born, I've been having these pains that I definitely didn't have with the first two. The first is the muscles/joints/something in my crotch area. Every time I get up from sitting on a very hard chair, sitting cross-legged on the floor, or reclining in bed, that part totally protests and keeps protesting until I can walk it out. Also, one hip is very cranky after reclining in bed. About the only thing that doesn't result in pain is staying on my feet <_<

I checked with my OB and I got the okay to get a deep tissue massage. But I was just wondering if anyone else had these issues, if they are long lasting, and if there's anything that can be done about them. I don't know if it's because it's my 3rd birth, the very fast labor (2 hours), or just another one of those "every time is different."

[brittone2]

Talk to your OB more, and as long as they aren't super concerned about any other underlying health issues, my next step would be an appt with a PT specializing in postpartum issues. You could have something like a symphysis pubis dysfunction (eta: or separation), or some sort of other ligamentous issue...overstretching/instability from carrying a pregnancy, kwim?

I personally don't think the massage will get you very far. I'd probably opt for a thorough musculoskeletal eval with a practitioner specializing in post partum women's health.

You can try finding a therapist through the American Physical Therapy Association Women's Health section:
http://www.womenshealthapta.org/plp/locator/index.cfm?Section=Search

This isn't my area of expertise, but as a PT myself, I would go this route.

[justincase]

I had very sharp pains similar to what you're describing after DD was born, both the sharp muscular (or whatever) pain in the crotch area when standing up and also a sharp pain in one hip/buttock, also when getting up. I would literally stagger the first few steps and then limp along until I could "walk it out" as you describe. I didn't have these pains at all after DS. I think it must have something to do with everything in your body trying to return to normal after the pg as opposed to anything related to the birth itself, as my DCs were both c/s and this pain was totally separate from any surgical pain. As far as how long mine lasted... hmmm... by my six-week checkup the crotch area pain was gone, I think, but the hip pain was lingering enough that I brought it up; my OB didn't seem concerned and said it was all totally normal. I want to say it was only a couple more weeks after that before the hip pain went away. A massage sounds *great* -- hope it can help with the hip at least!

[lilycat88]

:yeahthat:

[pb&j]

I had lots of pelvic ligament pain during and after this most recent pg. I have been meaning to get around to going to PT for about the last 5 mos (DD is 8 mos) but just haven't found the time. Things are starting to clear up on their own, though, and I am only experiencing some stiffness every now and then. For me, I lose the weight quickly, but it's definitely 9 mos up/9 mos down for these kinds of issues.

[carolinamama]

Talk to your OB more, and as long as they aren't super concerned about any other underlying health issues, my next step would be an appt with a PT specializing in postpartum issues. You could have something like a symphysis pubis dysfunction (eta: or separation), or some sort of other ligamentous issue...overstretching/instability from carrying a pregnancy, kwim?

I personally don't think the massage will get you very far. I'd probably opt for a thorough musculoskeletal eval with a practitioner specializing in post partum women's health.

You can try finding a therapist through the American Physical Therapy Association Women's Health section:
http://www.womenshealthapta.org/plp/locator/index.cfm?Section=Search

This isn't my area of expertise, but as a PT myself, I would go this route.

:yeahthat:

I'm not a PT, but if you do have any sort of spd, PT is the way to go. A massage may feel good in general, but it won't help get things back "together" and strengthened. BTDT BTW.

[BabyMine]

I had a similar experience. This is what I was diagnosed with.

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/antenatalhealth/physicalhealth/pelvicpain/?_requestid=549916

What is symphysis pubis dysfunction?



The two halves of your pelvis are connected at the front by a stiff joint called the symphysis pubis. This joint is strengthened by a dense network of tough, flexible tissues, called ligaments. To help your baby pass through your pelvis as easily as possible, your body produces a hormone called relaxin, which softens the ligaments.

As a result, these joints move more during and just after pregnancy (Kristiansson 1997; Bjorkland et al 1999; Bjorkland et al 2000), causing inflammation and pain, known as symphysis pubis dysfunction or SPD.

A related condition is diastasis symphysis pubis (DSP), in which the gap in the pubic joint widens too far. The average gap between the bones in a non-pregnant woman is between 4mm and 5mm, and during pregnancy it's normal for this gap to widen by 2mm or 3mm. If the gap is 10mm or more, DSP is diagnosed. It's rare, and can only be identified by X-ray.

What causes SPD?




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We are not sure exactly what causes SPD, but it's thought that if one side of the pelvis moves more than the other when you walk or move your legs, the area around the symphysis pubis becomes tender (Buyruk et al 1999; Damen et al 2001). The amount of discomfort isn't related to the size of the gap in the joint. Many women with a normal-sized gap feel a lot of pain.


When does it happen?



SPD can occur at any time during your pregnancy or after giving birth. Many women notice it for the first time around the middle of their pregnancy. If you have SPD in one pregnancy, it is more likely that you'll have it again [URL="http://www.windsorpeak.com/pregnancy/havinganother/labour&birthwhattoexpect/"]next time you get pregnant (http://ad.doubleclick.net/click;h=v8/386c/0/0/%2a/x;215856236;1-0;0;21730073;4307-300/250;26876799/26894656/1;;~okv=;dcove=d;gbpgtype=article;gbpageid=546492; gbstageid=0;gbtp=pregnancy;gbtp=antenatalhealth;gb tp=physicalhealth;gbtp=pelvicpain;sz=300x250;tile= 5;pos=box;rsi=10204;rsi=10259;rsi=10237;;;~sscs=%3 fhttp://www.babycentre.co.uk/advertorials/nurturingcare?page=Milestone4,3) (Shephered 1997: 239-45; Snow 1997: 438-43).

The symptoms may also come on earlier and progress faster, so it is important to seek help promptly. It can help if you allow the symptoms from one pregnancy to settle before trying to conceive another child.

What are the symptoms?




Pain in the pubic area and groin are the most common symptoms. But you may also have the following signs:

Back pain (http://www.windsorpeak.com/community/birthclubs/2003/june/), pelvic girdle pain (http://www.windsorpeak.com/pregnancy/antenatalhealth/physicalhealth/pelvicgirdlepain/) or hip pain (http://www.windsorpeak.com/pregnancy/antenatalhealth/physicalhealth/painfulhipsexpert/).

A grinding or clicking sensation in your pubic area.

Pain down the inside of your thighs or between your legs. It can be made worse by parting your legs, walking, going up or down stairs or moving around in bed.

Worse pain at night. It can stop you sleeping well (http://www.windsorpeak.com/pregnancy/antenatalhealth/sleep/basicsofgoodsleep/) and getting up to go to the toilet in the middle of the night can be especially painful.

[SnuggleBuggles]

Yes. I had hip flexor issues. I went to physical therapy for pelvic floor stuff but we worked on this a lot. Stretching helped.

Beth