Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder and Pregnancy

Hey love yeah I have HEDs and honestly its so normal to me now im never not in pain even when not pregnant. A huge eye opener for me was when i finally realised "normal" people can get a massage and actually feel better after, i was always like yeah the massage was nice but i feel the same lol Chiro has been really helpful for me. What kind of treatment are you doing? How far along are you? Im almost 25wks and im starting to get pretty sore and tired lol

I have hypermobility and have been seriously struggling with my knees since getting pregnant. Can't even get on and off the toilet without using something to pull myself up. I start physio next week, so hopefully that helps. My midwife said that being hypermobile helps during labour and to be fair my first was only 4hrs 15mins.

@Kirsty i only have had my intake appt so far. And im 20 weeks and 1 day. She said i will probably start to find my stability soon, from the baby providing a “core” for me. My obliques are pretty much non-existent. I originally went for Pelvic floor an diastasis recti, but it turns out it just looks like DR —no split in my abs but my obliques aren’t engaged. We are going to work on pelvic floor strength and stability as well as obliques. Also I can completely relate to the massage part! I hope you start finding more stability and comfort. My PT said I may feel better after around 20 weeks. But I’m not certain that’s true! lol

@Nikkita my knees especially hurt too! Like I’m so used to bending a leg and crossing my legs where like my ankle of one leg rests on my other knee, and that’s nearly impossible. I use to be so flexible and I thought relaxin would make me more flexible, but I have lots alllll my flexibility— prob since about 8 weeks. How far along are you?

Yes, I’m 26 weeks and my right knee feels particularly loose. I’m also getting horrendous jaw pain. It’s keeping me awake quite a lot. Also struggling with my PoTS - people often have both. @Kirsty I bloody hate massages. 🤣 Spend the whole time panicking and telling them to be careful. They do think my labour will be quicker and hopeful for that as can’t have any pain relief except diamorphine for various reasons.

@Carissa ah fair enough. Im yet to see a physio at all yet. Im almost 25wks. I am hypermobike but my muscles are tight but weak/ generally cant relax So my first labour was 32hr and baby remained stuck op head deflexed fully and i ended up with a csect unfortunately. Im hoping that doesnt happen this time round

Yes I do and in my pregnancy the pain was awful i ended up in hospital they thought it was my appendix turns out it wasnt ,I was told it was pelvic girdle pain and was given a support belt which really helped.

@Carissa I'm 25 weeks tomorrow and it's been getting worse since about 15weeks. I'm definitely not as flexible as I was before I was pregnant.

@Kirsty oh yikes! That’s terrifying! Yeah my muscles are also super tight! especially in my vagina. The PT was so cute when she asked how those muscles were. She was like “I don’t want to get too personal and ask naughty questions but…” I was like “oh girl—you are good! But yeah she strong” lol just not in the right way, so 9/10 if I sneeze, there’s been some leakage lol

@Rachel I’ll have to ask my PT about one of those! Or look on Amazon. I have heard the price difference is insane

@Carissa Yes it is, I did have one from amazon, but then my physiotherapist gave me one as well they both helped and really took away the pelvic girdle pain but soon as I took it off it was back again

@Carissa yup they call that tight and weak. Its so frustrating hey. Because they arent doing what they need to/ suppose to. Dont be terrified, just do your best and if youre given a good program then thats great Thats all you can do.

@Donna lol thats fair Ughhh they think i have pots too And I got pupps pretty early in 2nd trimester so im also dealing with that. Have you found anything thats helpful yet?

@Kirsty Honestly, just rest right now really. Getting (and staying) pregnant has been so hard, I’ve stopped all my medication and aren’t using my aromatherapy oils as they’re not pregnancy safe. I try and go for a walk every day to keep mobile, do pregnancy yoga (Deliciously Ella app) and meditate - particularly the Mindful Birth affirmation audio. I’ve been using a pregnancy pillow on and off. Depending on where and how bad the pain is, it can sometimes make it worse rather than better. A warm bath is also nice. I have got the My Little Coco Baby Mama bath oil, which is relaxing.

Re the PoTS, I’ve just reverted to my pre diagnosis behaviour of lying on the floor when it hits…

@Donna youbare doing so much thats great. There are many pure essential oils that are safe for pregnancy esp after 1st trimester so could be something to research and check again if they help you etc. All you can do is what you can do. Then give yourself a break and breathe. Youre doing awesome. 🥰🥰🥰

@Kirsty There are indeed, just my usual ones are not! Actually just bought a specific birth blend, so fingers crossed.

@Donna thats great. Just be careful birth oils are not safe during pregnancy usually as they will contain roman chamomile and clary sage and stuff. But pregnancy oils are safe with lavender, franc etc and a few other really nice ones

@Kirsty It’s called a birth blend, but it’s lavender, frankincense and mandarin. You’re supposed to use it during meditation while pregnant and the birth to evoke the same feelings. I’m super careful. Even changed my shampoo and lip balm! 😊

@Donna well thats great. Just checking as alot of birth blends that are specifically for birth are not safe for pregnancy so that great

@Kirsty Yes, appreciate it as a lot of people don’t know these things. We went to a shop recently selling oils, crystals etc, and my partner was asking the lady questions and she seemed to know nothing, and was selling it! I’ve been wearing green agate since our egg transfer, and she even asked what that was. Really frightening really and not a lot you can do as there’s zero regulation, though I did point out to her that you should know this stuff if you’re going to make money out of it.

@Donna exactly. But a job is just a job for many people. Also many people just arent aware of the toxins or dangers we are using etc ecery single day. Like teflon etc let alone what eo are safe for what