Baby Loss Motherhood

32 weeks pregnant – Piriformis Syndrome and The Fear

A photograph of a 32 week pregnant lady with brunette hair, wearing a light green t-shirt and bright red lipstick - with the titile "32 week pregnant - Piriformis Syndrome and the Fear" - Mrs H's favourite things

First of all I have an admission to make I am not 32 weeks pregnant. I am now 33 weeks pregnant and this update is a week late. Sorry.

There are only 7 weeks until I reach my due date. I am on the final stretch. How did that happen?

The past few months seem to have passed in a blur. And now here I am thinking about my birth plan and what I need to pack in my hospital bag.

32 weeks pregnant – Piriformis Syndrome and The Fear

A photograph of a 32 week pregnant lady with brunette hair, wearing a light green t-shirt and bright red lipstick - with the titile "32 week pregnant - Piriformis Syndrome and the Fear" - Mrs H's favourite things

Aspirin

Before this pregnancy, I had tests into the reasons behind our recurrent miscarriages. They didn’t produce any answers.

But my consultant did advise me to take aspirin from the day I discovered that I was pregnant until I reached 28 weeks.

Taking aspirin in pregnancy is not generally recommended as it can cause problems.

However, it is often prescribed in a low dosage (I took 75mg of soluble aspirin every night) to women who have suffered from recurrent miscarriages. The aspirin can help prevent blood clotting problems which can lead to multiple early miscarriages.

I will never know if I have got this far in the pregnancy because of the aspirin or because it was just our time. And it doesn’t matter any more.

Yet taking the last tablet felt very strange. The aspirin had been something to cling onto during those first anxious months. And stopping taking them felt like I was letting go of my life raft.

Even so, reaching 28 weeks and no longer needing to take aspirin was another huge milestone in this pregnancy. A pregnancy that has been filled with some big milestones. But that has mostly been made up of tiny steps towards meeting our longed for second child.

Piriformis Syndrome

Once I reached 24 weeks, I began to get some pain in my lower back and bottom.

Over the months, this pain grew and grew. Sometimes it was just a dull ache. Other times, I had shooting pains all the way down my leg.

And by 28 weeks, I could no longer sleep because the pain stopped me from finding a comfortable sleeping position.

It wasn’t long before my mobility became severely affected.

I don’t drive and rely on walking to get everywhere. This is fairly difficult when you physically can’t pull yourself from the sofa.

Two weeks ago, the pain in my back, bottom and legs became unbearable.  I could barely move at all.

In the end, a good friend and my parents had to come to my rescue.  And my parents managed to find me a last-minute appointment with a osteopath who specialised in pregnancy.

The osteopath diagnosed Piriformis Syndrome.

Piriformis Syndrome is when the Piriformis, a muscle deep inside your bottom is aggravated. This causes it to spasm and be put in a permanent state of tension. And can lead to a lot of pain in the lower back and buttocks.

In my case, this pregnancy has caused a long-standing problem with the discs in my lower back to flare up. This in turn has irritated my Piriformis and the spasming muscle has trapped my Sciatic nerve.

This means that I am suffering from Sciatica, pain in my Piriformis and a very sore lower back.

Thankfully, the osteopath was amazing. I don’t know what he did. But I left his office with hardly any pain. And I woke up the next morning feeling refreshed because I had managed to sleep properly for the first time in weeks.

I now see my osteopath weekly or fortnightly and although I am still in pain it is unbelievable how much it has improved.

If you are struggling with pain during pregnancy, then please go and talk to your midwife and ask to be referred to see a Physiotherapist. Or go to see a Osteopath who specialises in pregnancy. Please don’t suffer in silence like I did (well, not really silence, as I did moan constantly. Poor Mr H.)

A photograph of a 32 week pregnant lady with brunette hair, wearing a light green t-shirt and bright red lipstick - 32 week pregnant - Piriformis Syndrome and the Fear - Mrs H's favourite things

The Fear

There is no denying it, I am approaching the time when I will have to give birth.

I stupidly believed that having done it all before I would approach childbirth for a second time without any trepidation.

I’ve done it once. I had a relatively short labour for a first baby. And although there were issues, I survived and I did it all on gas and air.

These are good things. I know what to expect. Nothing should come as a surprise.

And yet, I have The Fear. And The Fear has grown since I was pregnant with Little Miss H.

Maybe, it is because I know what can go wrong. How everything seems fine one minute and then all of a sudden the baby’s heartbeat drops and the midwives’ voices grow louder and they talk with a greater sense of urgency.

But I think I have The Fear mainly for two reasons.

I know what I don’t want to happen.

Although Little Miss H’s birth was somewhat fraught at times, there were moments when everything was running smoothly and I was as comfortable as I could be. I would like to follow a similar birth plan for Little Mister H. And I am scared about needing to be induced or to have an emergency C-Section. And I am terrified about having another retained placenta and postpartum haemorrhage.

But my greatest fear is that I will give birth on the kitchen floor with Little Miss H as my midwife.

It might sound dramatic but it actually could happen.

I had a very short labour with Little Miss. So I have been advised by my midwife to go to hospital as soon as my waters break or I have a contraction.

That is easier said than done.

If Mr H is at work, then I will need to find someone to look after our precious toddler and another person to drive me to the hospital.

So the kitchen scenario isn’t quite so far-fetched after all.

A photograph of a 32 week pregnant lady with brunette hair, wearing a light green t-shirt and bright red lipstick - with the titile "32 week pregnant - Piriformis Syndrome and the Fear" - Mrs H's favourite things

I hope that you enjoyed my little update of the main things that have happened over the past few months.

If any of you have suffered with Piriformis Syndrome or have any advice for how I cope with The Fear of childbirth then I would love to hear from you in the comments. And please let me know of any 6 week midwifery crash courses that would accept my 3-year-old daughter!!!

Hugs

Lucy

xxxx

16 Comments

  • Reply
    Julia @ Rainbeaubelle
    June 9, 2016 at 7:49 pm

    Oh Lucy that sounds really painful, bless you! Let’s just hope that as soon as this babe makes its way into the world the pain will go. And you know, the birth is going to happen, just let it happen and focus on your lovely baby, that’s what I was told the second time and it worked! xxx

    • Reply
      Mrs H
      July 2, 2016 at 11:06 pm

      Thanks for your lovely comment Julia. Thankfully as the baby has dropped the pain seems to have got better, which I wasn’t expecting. Also seeing an osteopath has made an amazing difference. I can’t believe I struggled on for months without asking for help. And as I get nearer to giving birth I am feeling much more relaxed. But I am still a little scared of giving birth on the kitchen floor. Hugs Lucy xxxx

  • Reply
    Jenny
    June 7, 2016 at 4:10 am

    I had bad coccyx pain for a lot of my last pregnancy and I gave birth on my living room floor with my husband as midwife! If the baby’s coming it’s coming not much you can do. Teach her how to dial 999!

    • Reply
      Mrs H
      July 2, 2016 at 11:10 pm

      Thanks for your comment Jenny. Ha ha! That sounds fun. I know there is not much point in worrying about something I have no control over. But after three recurrent miscarriages before this pregnancy, then I would prefer not to take any unnecessary risks with Little Mister H’s birth. Hugs Lucy xxxx

  • Reply
    RachelSwirl
    June 5, 2016 at 11:14 pm

    I am so sorry that you are discomfort but I have to say in the pic you look fab x

  • Reply
    Helen | Wonderfully Average
    June 5, 2016 at 6:15 pm

    So, I’m a little late but… congratulations! I’m so happy for you! (I’ve been really rubbish at blog reading recently). After all you’ve been through, I’m so pleased you’re finally getting your rainbow.

    I think you must be due around the same time as me (22nd July) as I’m also 33 weeks xx

  • Reply
    Karen
    June 5, 2016 at 10:10 am

    So sorry to hear about your Piriformis – it sounds absolutely awful, but good that you’re able to manage the pain.
    Hope all goes well over the next few weeks x

  • Reply
    Silly Mummy
    June 5, 2016 at 1:19 am

    There is a risk this will make you feel worse, as it happened to me so it does happen. But I’m mentioning it anyway on the basis that it was okay. A shock, but okay. My first labour was also relatively short. My midwife had actually told me that, given that quick first labour, if I went into very rapid labour (immediately close contractions), I should not mess about with trying to get myself to hospital at all, esp if I was alone with my toddler at the time. She said to call an ambulance (immediately before even calling my partner) because then people with medical equipment would be there, even if they couldn’t get me to hospital. I actually went into labour early in morning, so I wasn’t alone, but we have no close by family so no one was immediately available to take toddler. We actually did initially try calling the hospital, but they didn’t believe how rapid and severe it was and just said come in. I knew I couldn’t get there and remembered what my midwife had said. So that was what we did, we called an ambulance. They got there just as delivery started, but they were there. They weren’t massively experienced in delivery, but I knew that they had medical equipment & if my baby hadn’t have been okay, they would have been able to do something. That was what mattered. & they took us to hospital afterwards. It was all fine. I wouldn’t choose it, but if it happens, it happens and you CAN do it. & call an ambulance. Esp if you’re alone. Hope this is more reassuring than worrying. & good luck with it all. How exciting that it’s nearly time! xx

  • Reply
    Mini Travellers
    June 4, 2016 at 2:45 pm

    EEk I would also have the fear if I thought I might give birth at home! Let’s get Little Miss H trained in 999 calls and using your mobile!

    • Reply
      Mrs H
      June 4, 2016 at 7:17 pm

      Ha ha! I know the thought is scary. And I have seen what Little Miss H does with her medical kit. Ideally I would be the perfect candidate for a home birth. But the retained placenta and PPH that I had with Little Miss H don’t allow that. Here’s hoping he decides to make his appearance at a weekend or during the night when Mr H is around. Thanks for your comment lovely. Hugs Lucy xxxx

  • Reply
    Lisa (mummascribbles)
    June 4, 2016 at 7:19 am

    I’m so glad that you are feeling better with your back lovely. I know what you mean about the fear – I have it both ways too – the fear of a rupture if I end up with a natural birth and the fear of the risks of a repeat section if I need one of those! I’m not thinking about it at the moment because hopefully I still have a long time until that time comes but I know the further along I get, the more scared I’m going to be getting!! xx

    • Reply
      Mrs H
      June 4, 2016 at 7:13 pm

      Thanks so much gorgeous. I am glad I am not the only one with The Fear. I really expected it to be easier this time. I never thought that I would be more scared. Oh well, I am sure that in a few weeks I will be desperate for baby to come out (just not on the kitchen floor with Little Miss H assisting)! I hope that you manage to reach a decision that you are happy with. I know a lot of people who have had to have an elected c-section with their second and it has been a positive experience. I am sure it will all work out for the best lovely. Hugs Lucy xxxx

  • Reply
    My Petit Canard
    June 4, 2016 at 1:32 am

    You poor thing! Piriformis syndrome sounds absolutely awful. I was reading it and grimicing for you! It so great that you were able to find such an amazing oestopath that firstly knew what it was, and secondly has been able to do such a great job treating it. I cant imagine being so far into pregnancy and suffering with something like that on top of the daily aches and pains. There really isnt too long to go now and hopefully the next few weeks fly by for you too. You and bump are looking lovely! 🙂 Emily

    • Reply
      Mrs H
      June 4, 2016 at 7:09 pm

      Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I can’t believe that we are both so near the end. It can’t come quick enough. I hope that our babies don’t keep us waiting long. The Piriformis syndrome has been pretty rubbish and now that baby is back to back it is getting sore again. But I am just carrying on as best I can. As much as it hurts, I need to keep mobile and seeing the osteopath really does help. Take care lovely. Hugs Lucy xxxx

  • Reply
    Debs
    June 3, 2016 at 9:33 pm

    Hey. I was just wondering how you were doing and then this post was there on my timeline. I took 75mg dispersible aspirin when I was pregnant with L after we had suffered two miscarriages. We pushed for tests and I was found to have a blood clotting condition called factor v leiden, so I also had to inject heparin daily in my pregnancies. I know what you mean about a life jacket and milestones. I know from some of your tweets how much pain you’ve been in with your back. Poor you! That sounds just awful 🙁 So glad you’ve got a diagnosis and pain relief now from the osteopath. I hope you’re comfortable and can get much more rest before your little man arrives. *note to little man * Please do not take your Mummy by surprise and give her chance to waddle to the hospital with time to spare. xx

    • Reply
      Mrs H
      June 4, 2016 at 7:05 pm

      Thank you so much for your gorgeous comment lovely. It was so nerve-wracking taking the last aspirin tablet. It gave me some form of hope. But in the back of my mind I knew that I no longer needed it. It is amazing that such a small tablet can make such a huge difference. And has (hopefully) helped both of us find our happy ending. And thanks for the note to little man. I really hope that he listens. I hope that you are well. Big hugs Lucy xxxx

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