Andrea's Story

I experienced pelvic pain from week 28 of my first pregnancy. This got steadily worse (not helped by my nursing job) and I started using crutches at 34 weeks and was completely wheelchair bound by 36 weeks. Things improved rapidly after the normal delivery of my daughter, and I was able to “hobble” around without my crutches within days of her birth.  At the time I did see a physiotherapist, who did not seem to know very much about what was happening. She did fit me with a belt, but seemed a bit stumped otherwise, especially when I asked her what I should do about caring for my baby after the birth.

I found the immediate post birth experience to be a very lonely one.  I found it hard to cope with a unsettled baby, a husband who wasn't coping particularly well either, all of my pre-baby friends still working and my family over four hours drive away. I had little information about my pelvic instability and what to expect, and felt very different from the other women in my mother's group who were striding out for long walks within weeks of birth.

However, after six months I was able to walk with the pram for a couple of km – after 12 months was striding out for 5-10 km walks. However, I was never able to return to more active exercise such as aerobics and belly dancing which I had previously loved, and always felt pain if I attempted to squat or move something on the floor with my foot.

After much deliberation and nearly four years we decided to try for another child. I tried very hard to be well prepared for this, getting strong and fit, and planning for more support for myself and the rest of my little family. Pelvic pain was the first indication that I was pregnant (within days of conception)! This rapidly deteriorated and I was using a combination of crutches and wheelchair from about 20 weeks onwards. I also experienced problems in other joints during this pregnancy, including shoulders and elbows with the use of crutches.  I was very lucky that my Mum was able to move up from the country for several months to help out at home, and another friend also moved in around that time, also providing much appreciated support.

During this pregnancy I found a physiotherapist who was much more experienced in dealing with my "wonky" pelvis, as I had come to refer to it. Although I was very limited in my mobility, she helped minimise the pain caused by muscle spasm, maintain my core stability, plan for the birth of my baby, and maintain the strength in my arms and legs, so that, when I was able to start moving again I would not have significant muscle wastage to contend with.

Towards the end of this pregnancy I also made contact with a group of women who were to become the Pelvic Instability Association. Being in contact with these women helped me feel much less alone and I was inspired by their courage and strength in their own journeys.

With the help of a wonderful team of friends (three support people) I had another normal delivery – another beautiful girl, and was able to walk carefully without crutches at eight weeks post birth.  My recovery was slower than first time around, still being in significant pain daily at 14 months. I eventually went onto a course of high-dose anti-inflammatory medication, which improved my pain considerably. Once my pain settled down I concentrated on improving my core stability with Clinical Pilates and my general fitness with swimming.

My children are now three and seven and I look (and mostly feel) back to normal. I do get a small amount of pain for a couple of days before my period, which is controlled with anti-inflammatory medication and basically being a little more careful with what I do. But most days I have no problems running for the occasional train, playing on the floor with my three-year-old, and carrying her upstairs to bed.

Meeting women who had experienced the same thing has been a wonderful source of encouragement and strength to me. It has also been a fantastic opportunity to be able to help provide newer sufferers with the support that I really needed six years ago!

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This site was last modified on 14/09/2008