Carrying an excess burden all in one location (particularly, the belly) while pregnant has a slew of unanticipated consequences. It will most likely cause you to move differently, throw your muscles and joints out of whack, keep you off balance, and in some women, trigger pain in the pelvis where none previously existed. This is known as pelvic girdle pain (PGP), it’s incredibly painful and 1 in 5 women will experience it during pregnancy. However, there’s no need to grit your teeth and bear the pain. In truth, there are numerous things you can do to alleviate your symptoms.
What is Pelvic Girdle Pain?
Pelvic girdle pain refers to any type of pelvic pain, such as a stabbing sensation in the symphysis pubis (the front joint connecting the pubic bones), a dull ache in the back of the pelvis (where the sacrum and the large iliac bones connect), or stress in the area between the base of your spine and the fold of your buttocks. Many physiotherapists used to refer to this sort of discomfort as symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) or sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction, but now use the term “pelvic girdle pain” because it involves the entire pelvic region. PGP can occur throughout pregnancy or shortly after delivery, and it can be continuous or intermittent.
Pelvic Girdle Pain Symptoms
PGP can range from mild to severe, and can happen at any stage of pregnancy, however it happens more later in pregnancy. It’s manageable but the sooner it is treated, the sooner you will feel better. Among the symptoms are:
Pain in the pubic region, lower back, hips, groin, thighs, or knees. The pain can occur in one or all of these areas.
Grinding or clicking sound in the pelvic area
Pain worsening with movement, such as walking, climbing stairs, rolling over in bed, or during sex
To get a PGP diagnosis you first need to tell your doctor, midwife, or nurse about the pain. They’ll then offer you an appointment with a physiotherapist who will assess your pain and diagnose. The assessment includes the doctor looking at your posture as well as your back and hip movements. This will help them rule out any other possible causes of pelvic pain.
PGP Causes
During pregnancy, women’s bodies produce a hormone called relaxin, which causes ligaments to relax and joints to extend to allow the baby to grow. As the body tries to find a means to maintain the pelvis together, this alteration in the body might contribute to muscular imbalances. However, relaxin is only one of several factors, including pre-existing imbalances and injuries. Muscles in your legs and back may contract and tug on your pelvis, while others may weaken. The three pelvic joints operate together and generally move minimally.
PGP is mostly caused by joints shifting unevenly, causing the pelvic girdle to become less stable and hence uncomfortable. The added weight and changes in how you sit or stand will place more strain on your pelvis as your baby grows in the womb. You are more likely to have PGP if you have a history of back pain or pelvic injury, or if you have hypermobility syndrome, a condition in which your joints stretch more than normal. There is no way to know who will and won’t experience pelvic girdle pain, but there are several health factors that can put you more at risk:
Previous labors
Joint hypermobility
Higher BMI
History of pain in hips or lower back
History of trauma or injury to your back or pelvis
PGP Relief
If you’re in pain, the best thing you can do is see a chiropractor or physiotherapist who specializes in treating pregnant women. They will take your medical history, evaluate how you walk, and provide a few tests to see if you have any problems with stability, strength, or joint mobility. It also relies on how you present yourself. If you’re in excruciating pain, doctors may be limited in their diagnostic options and may have to rely on your history.
Though pelvic girdle discomfort is not hazardous in and of itself, it can have an impact on your quality of life, movement, and even your capacity to care for yourself. That is why early detection and treatment are critical. Your treatment approach will be different depending on your pain level, physical capacity, and the cause of your discomfort. Your approach could include the following elements:
Relaxing Soft Tissue
Certain muscles (such as the lower back) may become tight during and after pregnancy, while others (such as the core, hips, and glutes) may be stretched or weakened. Tight muscles can be relaxed with massage or other releasing techniques.
Core and Pelvic Floor Strengthening
Your physiotherapist can teach you exercises that should help you move around more easily and ease your pain. They should also develop your abdominal and pelvic floor muscles in order to improve your balance and posture, as well as stabilize your spine.
Movement Modifications
Your practitioner can provide you with useful adaptations to common pain-causing actions such as getting out of bed, moving your child(ren), and getting dressed (for example, sitting down instead of balancing on one leg). Much of it is determined by weight distribution. Sleeping with a pillow between your legs, for example, may also alleviate discomfort.
Medication
Many women are concerned about taking pain relievers while pregnant. However, some medications, such as Tylenol, are safe for you and your baby as long as you stick to the appropriate amount. If you believe you require stronger medication for your PGP, consult your doctor, midwife, or pharmacist to determine what you can take and how best to take it.
You can also attempt alternative pain management therapy, which may include:
Hypnosis
Meditation
Yoga
Massage
Reflexology
Always be sure to check with your healthcare provider before doing any treatments or services. Many of these pain-relieving methods can be performed at home. Ask your physiotherapist to recommend a home exercise regimen to aid you when you first have pelvic pain. If your pain prevents you from performing critical everyday tasks, you can ask your doctor if you can take a pain reliever. Taking pain relievers may improve your ability to perform the activities advised by your physiotherapist. A pelvic support garment might also help to alleviate pain. Pelvic support garments, when properly fitted and worn for brief periods of time, can help to stabilize your pelvic girdle and reduce discomfort. Inquire with your physiotherapist about pelvic support garments.
Heat applied to uncomfortable regions and sitting or lying down may help you manage your discomfort. Extended bed rest without the supervision of a doctor is not advised, so consult your doctor if you believe you need to lie down for extended periods of time while pregnant.
Does PGP Go Away?
Some women will feel better after giving birth, but this is not guaranteed. Give yourself some time to re-stabilize your body—perhaps even a year or two. Though it may take longer to heal than you would like, you do not have to suffer in silence. Many people are unaware that there are professionals who are specifically qualified to assist with pregnancy-related pain. Your OBGYN can refer you to a physiologist that can diagnose and treat your PGP. It’s critical for moms to understand that help is available, and the sooner you get it, the better.
Will PGP Affect Labor?
Women with PGP can usually have a normal vaginal labor and birth. Your doctor may advise you to arrange yourself during labor in a way that reduces stress and strain on your pelvis and hips. For example, you may find it less uncomfortable to go through labor on your side or on all fours. In most cases, inducing labor or performing a cesarean section are not advised. In severe circumstances, these methods may be given on occasion. Not everyone who has PGP during pregnancy will have it again in subsequent pregnancies.
However, it is fairly common. Almost 7 out of 10 women who experience PGP during pregnancy will have it again in the next pregnancy. Unfortunately, your pain may worsen after subsequent pregnancies. If you’ve had PGP in a prior pregnancy, talk to your doctor about developing a plan to manage your pelvic pain early. Early management of pelvic girdle discomfort can assist to prevent pain from escalating as your pregnancy proceeds.
Working With EZ
If you require a health insurance plan that covers pregnancy, labor, and everything that follows, EZ can assist you in locating a plan that meets all of your medical requirements. We provide a comprehensive selection of health insurance plans from top-rated insurance carriers in every state. Also, since we work with so many businesses and have access to all of the plans available in your region, we may find you a plan that saves you a significant amount of money, even hundreds of dollars, even if you do not qualify for a subsidy. There is no cost or obligation, simply free quotes on all available plans in your area. Simply enter your zip code in the bar below to get free online quotes or call a local agent at 877-670-3557.
Congratulations! You’re pregnant! If your dreams of sitting on the couch using your big pregnant belly as a table for your giant bowl of ice cream have been squashed with a devastating diagnosis of gestational diabetes, look no further for tips on how to happily and healthily navigate the last months of pregnancy. While it might feel like the end of the world, it’s not and once you have the right information you can tackle the rest of your pregnancy with ease.
What is Gestational Diabetes?
Every year, 2% to 10% of pregnancies in the United States are affected by gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that is diagnosed only during pregnancy and usually goes away after thebaby is born. It is a very frustrating and confusing diagnosis because doctors are not sure what the exact cause of it is, but it’s believed to be due to hormones produced by the placenta. A pregnant woman is typically tested for gestational diabetes between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy. It causes high blood sugar that can affect your pregnancy and your baby’s health so you want to be very cautious and attentive in the event you get diagnosed.
Gestational diabetes usually develops around the 24th week of pregnancy. Testing usually takes place between 24 and 28 weeks.
Usually there are no symptoms of gestational diabetes so if you get diagnosed it is pretty sudden and shocking. And since you get tested in your second trimester you’re probably used to a certain way of eating since you’ve become pregnant, not to mention the hormones are raging. When your doctor tells you that you have gestational diabetes you need to take in a lot of information as quickly as possible so you can make changes to your lifestyle and diet immediately but here are some tips to help accept your new way of life.
Eat smaller mealsPerhaps you skip breakfast altogether or maybe you cram your meals into 3 larger meals of breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This can have an adverse effect on your blood sugar making it hard to stabilize your levels. Since gestational diabetes affects your blood sugar, regulation is the name of the game. You want to avoid binging altogether so that spikes in your blood sugar don’t occur and one simple way to do that is by eating small, healthy meals and snacks throughout the day. Start eating small snacks in between smaller meals. Creating a meal plan that includes all your snacks with exactly what you’re going to eat and when takes the guesswork out of it, making that aspect of your new diagnosis less stressful. Bonus: it doubles as an easy way to grocery shop as well.
Add more protein to your meals and snacks. Since carbohydrates affect blood sugar it’s important to try and monitor the amount you eat and drink. Try a string cheese with a cracker or a scrambled egg on wheat toast. High fiber carbs paired with a lean protein help blood sugar levels while delivering you and your baby the nutrients you need.
Stay away from sugary drinks and juices. You may think that having a glass of orange juice or ordering a smoothie from your local juice joint are healthy choices, but not when you have gestational diabetes. Stick with water or a sugar free tea when you’re thirsty. Try seltzer and adding a lemon or lime if you want something different. Juices have a ton of sugars and carbs and will spike your blood sugar. Get a cute reusable water bottle so you always have something on hand so if you’re out you’re not tempted to order a soda or juice.
What’s The Big Deal?
Talk to a doctor or dietitian to create a healthy eating plan.
You may be sitting there thinking “what’s the big deal? I only have a few weeks left of pregnancy. I don’t need to worry about my diet.” Well, the consequences of not managing and addressing gestational diabetes far outweigh taking the easy road and ignoring the issue entirely. If you continue eating as if you didn’t have gestational diabetes your baby is at risk of gaining a lot of weight up until delivery. In a normal pregnancy, a baby will gain around ½ pound per week and the average birth weight is about 7.5lbs. If you don’t manage your gestational diabetes, you’re more likely to gain weight as well as put your baby at risk of being born at a higher weight which doctors call macrosomia. Macrosomia is defined as babies that weigh more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces at birth and you want to avoid that if at all possible. Preterm birth is also a concern if gestational diabetes is not treated. If diagnosed you want to address it as soon as possible so that you and your baby have an uneventful and healthy pregnancy and birth.
Because gestational diabetes puts a woman into a high risk category it is important to have a health insurance plan that covers all your needs. We offer a wide range of health insurance plans from top-rated insurance companies in every state. Contact EZ for a free, no obligation quote on all available plans in your area. To get free instant quotes, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local agent, call 888-350-1890.
Every year 1 in 33 babies are born with birth defects, which account for 20% of all infant deaths. Birth defects are any abnormality in development of the fetus. This can result in malformation, functional disorders, and death. The majority of birth defects occur within the first trimester, which is why you may have heard not to consume alcohol during the first and second trimester. By the
Birth defects occur sometimes without a specific reason. But there are things you can do to prevent it.
third trimester you may be allowed a small glass of wine. The causes of over 50% of birth defects are unknown. However, there are things that you can do to prevent birth defects while pregnant.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking tobacco causes cancer and heart disease, and this goes no differently for babies in the womb. It harms a developing baby because it reduces the amount of oxygen to the baby. Smoking can cause premature birth, low birth weight, increase the risk of birth defects, and death.
Avoid Alcohol and Drugs
Alcohol and drugs can cause health problems for mother and their babies. Women are told that they should not drink, especially during the first two trimesters. This is because alcohol (and drugs) passes through the placenta and goes directly to the baby. Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders can occur such as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Drinking and doing drugs also increases the risk of miscarriage and stillbirths. It is best to continue to avoid alcohol, even the occasional glass of wine in your third trimester, but if you choose to drink, talk with your doctor and keep it in moderation. If you have a drug problem, then seek help to stop as soon as possible.
Folic acid reduces a babies chances of a spinal or brain defect. Take it daily for baby’s health.
Take Folic Acid
It is recommended that a pregnant woman take at least 400 mcg of folic acid every day. Folic acid is a B vitamin that can prevent major birth defects of the baby’s spine and brain, such as spina bifida. The birth defects affecting the spine and brain are known as neural tube defects (NTDs). Doctors recommend to take folic acid at least 3 months before trying to conceive and continue to take it throughout pregnancy.
Maintain A Healthy Weight
Obesity increases the risk of pregnancy complication and birth defects. This goes the same for being underweight. Make sure to eat a nutritious meal and not to go by the rule of “eating for two.” Try to exercise and stay physical during your pregnancy if you can.
See Your Gyno
Make sure to go to your gyno appointments and talk about a plan for your health and baby’s health. Take the necessary medication needed and talk about the whooping cough vaccine. 20 babies die each year from the whooping cough in the United States. Consult with your doctor about risks and vaccinations.
Birth defects and deaths are higher depending on race and ethnicity. Studies show that survival rate of babies are lower among non-Hispanic black and Hispanic mothers. Be sure to talk with your doctor before getting pregnant about your risks and any questions you may have to be on the right track. Some babies are born with birth defects with unknown causes, but taking the steps mentioned will help keep you and baby as healthy as possible.
PGP can range from mild to severe, and can happen at any stage of pregnancy, however it happens more later in pregnancy. It’s manageable but the sooner it is treated, the sooner you will feel better. Among the symptoms are:
