Talk to me about chiropractors (& pregnancy)

[julez]

I've got horrible pelvic pain that isn't getting better despite doing all kinds of exercises, etc.  My doctor said that it's pubic symphysis pain and that it's normal.  But normal doesn't = comfortable.    It's only getting worse ad these babies (and I) are getting bigger.  I hate to think of what I'll feel like in another 5-10 weeks. 

Someone suggested a chiropractor but I'm skeptical.   Then again, I'm pretty much willing to try anything at this point.  I just don't want to get roped into fifty appointments and a huge bill and then not feel better. WDYT? Worth trying?

(I know we just did a big chiro thread a while back, but I can't find it.)

[Deleted]

Personally it would make me uncomfortable. I'm not a huge chiro person anyway (never tried, scares me).

However there are some yoga poses etc that may help. I didn't get this in pregnancy, only at the birth, but the boys were sooooo low that it was crazy uncomfortable.

birthbliss.wordpress.com/2013/04/08/yoga-poses-and-exercises-to-help-ease-pain-from-pubic-symphysis-dysfunction/

[wambam]

I am pro-chiro, with some research done before hand. There are some crazies out there, but there are also some folks that can help. I would dig around and find someone who has extensive experience with pregnancy. Then make sure they are very transparent with their prices and your commitment level. If they try to sell you stuff other than adjustments, electrical stim, massage, etc. RUN!

[sangria]

I have spd. My doc suggested getting a support belt since there is some evidence that it helps. I asked about chiro and pt and she said either are fine, but may not offer much relief. It sucks. I just try to sit when putting pants on, and generally keep my legs together when rolling over in bed, getting in the car etc. mine started around 21 weeks this pg and has gotten worse but isn't unbearable.

[sangria]

Going swimming provides a lot relief too.

[caddywompus]

Have you looked into this?  www.symphysismaternitybelt.com/

[julez]

Aug 19, 2013 11:51:52 GMT -5 ninjabridemom said:

Personally it would make me uncomfortable. I'm not a huge chiro person anyway (never tried, scares me).

However there are some yoga poses etc that may help. I didn't get this in pregnancy, only at the birth, but the boys were sooooo low that it was crazy uncomfortable.

birthbliss.wordpress.com/2013/04/08/yoga-poses-and-exercises-to-help-ease-pain-from-pubic-symphysis-dysfunction/

I just found this page last night!  I've tried a few of these poses and so far not many changes, as can be expected a whole 12  hours later.    I'm going to stick with them. 

I dread thinking about when the babies are BIG and low.  They're still so tiny and I already feel like this - ugh!   TMI - my whole pubic area is swollen. It's awful. 

ETA: caddywompus, I just looked at that site and they aren't selling them right now.  Bummer!  I was given a Prenatal Cradle and I need to try that.  It's still a bit big for me as she wore it at the end of her twin pregnancy.  I should see if there's anything else out there to tide me over in the meantime.

[Deleted]

I'm so sorry!!!

Some of those spinning babies poses work, too. Also just getting your head below your hips, however you can, can help relieve the pressure.

And like PP said keeping your legs together when possible. I couldn't sit cross legged until months postpartum. It take conscious effort for a while but then becomes second nature.

[dizzydee]

Someone over of GP just went and raved about it. It's definitely something I would try.

[julez]

Aug 19, 2013 12:04:45 GMT -5 namasteak said:

My midwife suggested chiropractic care but only someone who is Webster method certified. I've had good chiropractic experience in the past so I will definitely be going soon.

Yes - I would be definitely looking for someone who is Webster certified.  These babies both need to be head DOWN!  Or at least baby A, but hopefully both.

[Deleted]

I'm a huge fan of chiro. Usually I only go as needed 3 or 4 times a year if I start to feel back pain but while pregnant I went monthly, every two weeks in my third trimester.
I also did monthly massage, weekly yoga in a class and one acupuncture session. I was set to start more at 36 weeks but the aby decided to come instead.

[Deleted]

Aug 19, 2013 12:14:40 GMT -5 julez said:

Aug 19, 2013 12:04:45 GMT -5 namasteak said:

My midwife suggested chiropractic care but only someone who is Webster method certified. I've had good chiropractic experience in the past so I will definitely be going soon.

Yes - I would be definitely looking for someone who is Webster certified.  These babies both need to be head DOWN!  Or at least baby A, but hopefully both.

And for help getting them head down, the sooner you go the better. As you get closer there's less room to encourage flipping. Around 35 weeks for a single pregnancy is pushing it. 
Downward dog is supposed to really help as well. And there is something acupuncture can do as well. It sounds quacky but the women I know who tried it swear by it, they light a tube (looks like a cigar) by your foot and a lot of women swear they feel baby move right then. 

[CurlyQ284]

I went to a chiro during my 2nd and 3rd trimesters. They are nutters that think they can cure autism but my back felt great!

[Deleted]

Aug 19, 2013 12:28:54 GMT -5 @randomcdn said:

Aug 19, 2013 12:14:40 GMT -5 julez said:

Yes - I would be definitely looking for someone who is Webster certified.  These babies both need to be head DOWN!  Or at least baby A, but hopefully both.

And for help getting them head down, the sooner you go the better. As you get closer there's less room to encourage flipping. Around 35 weeks for a single pregnancy is pushing it. 
Downward dog is supposed to really help as well. And there is something acupuncture can do as well. It sounds quacky but the women I know who tried it swear by it, they light a tube (looks like a cigar) by your foot and a lot of women swear they feel baby move right then. 

Well except the babies can flip flop a ton between now and then.  The boys were allllll over the damn place.  I did a cheer every time they were both head down but we have every single combination imaginable.

They were finally both head down at 35wks.  The last turn was just before that (I *felt* it).  I honestly wouldn't start stressing about the head down stuff until closer to 28wks.  I think that's when I started doing the spinning babies stuff loosely, and basically just trying to create room in my ute/pelvis for their big heads ETA with yoga.  I taught yoga until 24wks and then did it myself at home a little bit (w the spinning babies poses too) until I was put on restricted activity at just about 30wks.

ETA and they were both almost 7lbs too, so not small babies.

[mala]

I had PSD starting from right when I got pregnant. By 20 weeks I was in agony. My MW referred me to a physical therapist who specialized in pregnant women and it made a huge difference! I went once a week and it seriously saved me. I'd look into physical therapy over a chiro.

[AHappierHour]

I have been having a lot of pelvic pain and pressure and I just got my support belt out and I feel so much better.

[snickers]

I went once.
I'm not sure if it helped or not. My doctor said my back pain went away because baby moved from side to side to an up and down position but my chiropractor said it might have been my session with her that did that, so who knows. Worth trying at this point.

[mala]

Aug 19, 2013 15:15:40 GMT -5 namasteak said:

For those that wore support belts - how many weeks were you when you started wearing them? Dr. Google suggests that could help my SI & hip pain but I feel like I'm not big enough for one yet (although I feel like I look huge).

I started at 22 weeks, but really should have started wearing it sooner. I got it from my PT.

I also returned to PT at 6 weeks PP and went for another 8 Weeks for lingering hip pain.

[AHappierHour]

Aug 19, 2013 15:15:40 GMT -5 namasteak said:

For those that wore support belts - how many weeks were you when you started wearing them? Dr. Google suggests that could help my SI & hip pain but I feel like I'm not big enough for one yet (although I feel like I look huge).

I just started today and I will be 22 weeks tomorrow. It's worth a shot to see if it helps.

[mala]

The reason I say PT over chiro is that a PT appointment is 50 minutes. For me, she checked and realigned my hips, checked the disk alignment in my back, helped with my ribs which improved my breathing, and then used massage to get my thighs and lower back muscles to loosen up. They were becoming fatigued from trying to compensate for my hips being out of wack. a chiro isn't going to do all that.

[Jalapeñomel]

halfpint went to one and posted about it on GP:

pandce.proboards.com/thread/215556/guys-went-chiropractor

[halfpint]

It was awesome! Doooo ittttt.