I'm 21 weeks pregnant (2nd pregnancy - son is 2 1/2) and having quite a bit of difficulty walking due to pain in both my hips. I'm doing as is suggested for pregnant women and sleeping on my side - supported by (much to my husband's dismay and growing lack of bed-space) about 15 million pillows. No matter how comfortable I seem to be, I wake up several times a night with aching hips. I actually have to swing myself out of bed, get up, and walk around for a few minutes to help alleviate the pain and stiffness. Needless-to-say, walking around the house several times a night doesn't allow for a good, restful sleep. I've had issues with Sciatic Nerve Pain in the past, but not while I've been pregnant, and I'm wondering if (though it feels the same) it could be arthritis or something else?
I'm also recovering from an upper respiratory infection, laryngitis, and a nasty, dry, bronchial cough - which also has kept me awake at night. This means that I have not gotten a full nights sleep in approximately 3 weeks - and I'm about to be desperate. My doctor says take TylenolPM, but I'm a basket case the next day. My doctor says take Benadryl (for the sleepiness side-effect), but again, I'm useless the next day. I'm about over feeling tired and useless.
If anyone has any great ideas about how to alleviate my hip pain and get a decent nights rest, I'm all ears.
Thank you, Mommies!
J. S
Well - I finally broke down and called my chiropractor. I hadn't been in almost a year and let me just say, I heard about it! :) He "activated" my lower back and hips, worked my sciatic area a bit hoping to get the nerve to go through the muscle the way it should, and did an adjustment on my neck. Last night was the first night in almost a month that I had a decent rest. (My 2 1/2 YO Son came into my room around 11PM, but otherwise, I slept almost 9 hours!!!) I still hurt a bit, and will most likely go back to my chiropractor again for a follow-up, but I'm pleased with the results already.
Like I said, I've dealt with sciatic pain before. The last time, it was a severe, debilitating pain in which I couldn't walk standing up straight, or get from a sitting to a standing position (or vice versa) without assistance. I survived by eating ibuprofin like it was candy for about 3 months and did quite a bit of crying. I REFUSED to get to that point again. I'm so glad I went and have absolutely no idea why I waited so long.
The other thing I wanted to mention is that my husband is a Massage Therapist (let me know if you're interested!!!) - he works on muscles for a living - and though he tried, I was past the point of massage being beneficial to me. In combination with my chiropractic care, however, I think I'll be back on the road to recovery in no time! At least I'm going to be able to comfortably take my son Trick-or-Treating tonight! Wouldn't miss my "Monkey Man" going door-to-door for the world!
Thank you all for your kind words and responses!
J. S
I also recommended a good chiropractor and if you are not into that kind of thing (some people aren't), then find a massage therapist that does massages for expectant moms. I had nasty migraines while pregnant with my 2nd and my doctor would not let me take my migraine medicine, he told me to go get a massage, that was WONDERFUL and the migraines finally went away.
Please try this...I had the same problem when I was pregnant, and I still have it 6 years later. It's your sciatic nerve, and if you go to the chiropractor,which I have,tell him/her about it.They will do a quick adjustment of your hip, and you will feel alot better,no pain.I go to "Brown Chiropractic" off Kingston Pike.If you live near North Knoxville,you can go to "Northside Chiropractic" which is an affiliate.
J.,
I also used chiropractic care (your insurance may cover it, mine did) and it saved me. Get references in your area and then call each one and see if they are experienced with pregnancy care. Most have the beds that have a hole cut out for the belly. Mine doctor was also pregnant at the same time as me (pretty funny when you think about it - 2 7mo along women working on my spinal alignment - lots of belly!)
You should also look for a yoga class, some specialize in pregnancy yoga - others just do modifications for pregnancy. This could help release some of the pressure on those pain points. Your chiropractor / ob-gyn should have recommendations.
Can't help you on the husband thing - mine kicked me out early on because of the excessive snoring :)
If you talk to your doc about the hip pain he might be able to reccommend physical therapy. My back constantly hurt when I was pg with baby #3 and that's what my doc did for me. It didn't make the pain go away completely but it did make it bearable. Also you could try a back support thing, might help to relieve the pressure. You can find them at any maternity store.
J.,
I'm 27 weeks pregnant with twins and i can tell you one of the items that has made a signifigant difference in my nites sleep is a Snoogle. Its a long C shaped pillow that i bought at Babys R Us. I highly recommend it. Also, i wake up at nite with hip pain occasionally so what i do is wrap up in my Snoogle and put a small pillow behind my back and lay back on the small pillow. That way you are still on your side but the weight is off your hip.
Good Luck and i hope you get a good nites sleep!!
Mel
It is safe to go to a chiropractor while pregnant. Most chiropractors recommend it. It will definitely relieve your nerve pain. Look into it.
J.,
May I suggest reading/researching on natural remedies. I highly recommend reading The Great Physcian by Dr. Jordan Rubin. I'm sure you will find something to help you with now and even after the pregnancy. I wish you & baby well and pray for a successful delivery.
oh he also has a web-site--makersdiet.com
I'm so sorry! I remember all too well your pain and sleeplessness. The only way I could get a good nights sleep when I was pregnant and not hurt so bad and be able to get out of bed by myself was to sleep in my recliner. I never thought it would ever come to that but my recliner became my best friend. Eventually it became "my chair" because it was the only place I could sit and then get enough momentum to get out of by myself. Also you might want to try to just lay on your back for maybe 5 minutes at a time every once in a while. I know you aren't suppose to sleep on your back when you are pregnant but taking the pressure off of your hips even for just 5 minutes may make you feel better. I know it helped me when I would wake up in pain. Hope this helps and just remember, this too shall pass.
Hi!
what helped me during my pregnancies was getting a memory foam bed topper. it cradled my body, no pressure points and i slept great until my last month(at that point it is just hard to get comfortable no matter what you do).
i hope this helps. it will get better. when your baby comes you will forget all the pains. i know it sounds unbelievable but it is true.
During my first and second trimesters I dealt with the same stiffness and sciatica at night. I know what it's like to have to hold onto the wall to make it to the bathroom. One thing that helped alot was to take long warm baths with 2 cups of epsom salts dissolved into them. I did this religiously every night and the bath helped settle me down, while the salts worked their magic on my back and hips. I also did prenatal yoga, which helped me immensely with the pain, as well as my mind and soul.
I had that kind of hip pain with two pregnancies and it returned when my second child was a few months old, which made caring for two little ones REALLY hard. A friend of mine is a massage therapist and she cured me in one session. I was skeptical but it worked and I have been pain free for 3+ years. Good luck....
HI JENNIFRER,
MY NAME IS K. & I'M CURRENTLY 31 WEEKS PREGNANT. I JUST PAST THAT STAGE OF PREGNANCY, & I REALLY FOUND HEATING PADS TO WORK. I HAVE 1 AT HOME & 1 AT WORK. IT DOES SOUND LIKE SCIATICA. IF I WERE U I WOULDN'T FEEL SO COMFORTABLE TAKING MEDS. MAYBE NATURAL SLEEP REMIDIES LIKE MELATONIN AND AROMATHERAPY SUCH AS LAVENDAR AND ROMAN CHAMOMILE. DECAF. SLEEPY TIME TEA W/HONEY BEFORE BED ALONG WITH A WARM BATH HELPS ME AS WELL. I REALLY HOPE THESE HELP! :) I HAVE EVEN FOUND MYSELF USING ALL 5 METHODS IN 1 DAY!!
Hello Jenifer, I'm really sorry to hear about your hip pain. Trust me I know exactly how you feel. My son is 1 now but durring my pregnancy with him my hips hurt so bad I would cry. I tried doing some physical therapy but they said they could try to wrap my lower back and hip area really tight to hold the nerve to help with the pain. It did help a little but it was tape and hurt to take it off and you would have to reaply it after 1-2 days. I also had a cane that I used around the house. To get out of bed I would have to slide out because I knew if I moved a certain way that would be it! I would somethimes be walking and my hip would kind of freeze and I wouldn't be able to move.That was scary because I had a 2 yr old daughter who I had to take care of. But they told me to try heat throughout the day(heating pad) and keeping my leg elevated. I don't know if it will help you out any but I hope so. I also saw that you want to be a full time working mom, well I stay home with my kids and I'm a Mary Kay Consultant and loving it because it helps me be at home and work when I want to and when I can. Just in case you were interested in any information. I just love to help other women with this because I know I want to stay home with my kids.
Hope my info can help.
Thanks, L.
J.,
I don't know if the pain you're having is the same as what I experienced, but I had the same type of problem with my hips during my last pregnancy! Do you get regular excercise? The first thing I would say is make sure you get a walk in every day (at least 30 minutes), and try some pregnancy yoga. Those two things did wonders for me! (Especially the yoga, which I had never done in my life, but it helped SO much!) Also, make sure you're drinking enough water each day (AT LEAST 64 oz., more while you're dealing with the respiratory thing) Water will help with the respiratory stuff too, to clean your body out. Hope this helps! Good luck, I really hope you get some sleep soon!
So glad you got some help! I remember that pain. Get yourself a yoga or birthing ball and spend some time sitting/rocking on there. It helps a ton!
From experience I have to say Im sorry I know how miserable it is. I helped myself by walking early in the day not late in the evening. And eating bananas. They keep your potassium up which is great for you legs and hips. I would also ask you OB to check to see if the baby is breeched. Thats what was wrong with me and they had to turn him. Good luck sweetie. L. A
Bless your heart! I remember this so well. I had it with my 3rd pregnancy. Everyone made fun of me when I would say " I wish this baby would hurry up and get here so I can get some rest!" Like you'll really rest when the baby gets here! The best thing I can tell you is the same as almost everyone else. Warm baths right before bed. Also Pre-natal yoga and a chiropractor worked wonders for me. Try some gentle stretching right before bed. Have you tried taking just regular Tylenol instead of the PM kind. Maybe that will help. Good luck and I hope you find something that helps.
Sorry about your hip pain. Tylenol pm has benadryl in it. That's the PM part. You probably feel the same when you take benadryl or the tylenol PM. Hymalaian Goji juice could help with your sleep and hip pain. It's a fruit so would not hurt your baby. My husband takes it to help him sleep and I take it for arthritis pain and stiffness. If you want more info email me at ____@____.com
I had similar pain, especially with my second baby. I used the heat therapy patches that you can buy at the drug store. It feels sort of like Ben-Gay and lasts about 6-8 hours. It really helped me. They are a little expensive, but it was worth it. Good luck!
I had the same problem from about 6-7 1/2 months along. They thought I might have some kind of disc problem (since the pain was shooting down both legs into my hips) and I had an MRI to rule this out. It was sciatica and they said all I could do was take tylenol which was pretty useless. The only thing that helped at all was to get on all fours and stretch my back. This took some of the pressure away from my hips. Fortunately, the sciatica disappeared one night (they told me it probably would depending on how the baby was positioned) and I never had a problem for the rest of my pregnancy.
Hi J., I had pubic pain with my last pregnancy and this site has some excellent suggestions for pelvic pain during and after pregnancy. http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/pubicpain.htm
I also want to add to everyone else's suggestion for the Chiro or you can also see a DO, Dr of Osteopath. I hope you get some relief soon.
Jen L.
