XP: Pelvic pain after exercising?

Cleo421

For the past two or so weeks, in the day or so after working out ("working out" = walking at 3.5 on my treadmill for an hour) I have been getting horrible pain in my pelvis, sort of where the legs meet the crotch (bikini line area). I called OB last Monday and the nurse coordinator said it sounded like my adductor muscles, which are getting an extra-intense workout because I essentially have a 45 lb weight on me (my weight gain so far). She said OB said not to stop exercising, as it's not dangerous, it's just my muscles getting a workout. During the week the pain got really intense, to the point where I was straight up waddling because it hurt to walk straight. I brought it up again at my OB appt on Friday (with a different OB than the one with whom the nurse consulted last Monday - it's a big practice), and she said muscles are just "spreading out" down there so she's not surprised I'm getting sore. Overall pretty dismissive. So I consulted Dr. Google and found out about SPD, which seems to fit my symptoms. But my pain only occurs after working out, so I'm not sure what to think. Has anyone experienced this? My primary OB has stressed the importance of exercising throughout this pg, so I'm hesitant to stop when he told me to keep going. 

I'm planning on bringing it up to MFM this week (sometimes I feel like I'm just a number at my OBs!) but wanted to see if anyone else has experience with this. Thanks for any insight/info!

vlagrl29

I had SPD and it feels like a knife is stabbing you in the pelvis.  It hurt me so bad I would cry and it affected me all day, every day.  What you are describing does sound like abductor muscles. You may need to do some extra stretching after your workout to help prevent the pain.

LiveNLove44

I had similar pains mid-pregnancy (I'm 35w4d) and I have been resistance training and running for my whole pregnancy. There may be a chance that you need to just scale back a little bit some days so your muscles can recover more fully. Do you alternate your workouts? Changing it up and alternating when and how you do cardio can allow your muscles to recover better or more fully overall. Obviously, consult your MFM if you're very concerned because it's important that you continue to advocate for yourself, but it sounds like as your ligaments and other supportive tissues relax and stretch, your body is getting more sore than it would after working out any other time. I hope it improves for you. Keep moving!

Cleo421

Thanks ladies. After hearing just how brutal SPD is, I'm pretty confident I don't have it. I guess it is just muscles getting a workout, seems so strange to me since pre preg I ran 4 miles a day and now just walking is hurting me. I'm so guilty of never changing up workouts, even pre preg, so it sounds like now is the time to start! Guess I need to recognize my limits. Thanks for the advice!

agent79@me.com

Yep, I have this and some hip/pelvic joint issues. It's not fun, I know.

My midwives sent me to a Physical therapist that specializes in pregnant women, and I do a yoga video for pregnancy that has some good hip/pelvis exercises.

My PT said not to do anything that makes it feel worse. Maybe you can find a PT to help you out! Good luck!

Cleo421

Funny thing is, yesterday MFM said it was SPD (I guess just a mild case of it that is only irritated by too much walking?). She recommended a SPD specific support band, which is actually different from the exercise support band that I have now. I guess that the SPD specific one is just a band that wraps around your butt in the back and pelvis in the front, and restrains your pelvic muscles from spreading which causes inflammation in the muscles and the pain. I'd never heard of such a thing!

vlagrl29

Cleo421 said:

Funny thing is, yesterday MFM said it was SPD (I guess just a mild case of it that is only irritated by too much walking?). She recommended a SPD specific support band, which is actually different from the exercise support band that I have now. I guess that the SPD specific one is just a band that wraps around your butt in the back and pelvis in the front, and restrains your pelvic muscles from spreading which causes inflammation in the muscles and the pain. I'd never heard of such a thing!

wow, i've never heard of that kind of wrap.  no one told me about that, that would have been nice. I asked for crutches because I couldn't walk without crying, but they couldn't give me any.  I will ask for that band next time.  I dread the day I feel that again.