Episode 176 Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) - a chat with Sarah

Join me as I talk with Sarah Fishburn,  who shares her deeply personal journey through three pregnancies plagued by pelvic girdle pain (PGP). Sarah opens up about how the lack of adequate information and support during her experiences inspired her to create the Pelvic Partnership, an organization dedicated to educating and empowering women suffering from PGP. Together, we dissect the often misunderstood mechanics behind pelvic pain and emphasize the critical importance of early treatment and challenging common misconceptions. Our discussion critiques the standard medical advice of using support belts and physiotherapy, advocating for thorough hands-on assessments and treatments. Sarah shares insights on the effectiveness of a comprehensive approach that includes muscle release and psychological support to address the mechanical dysfunctions of the pelvis for effective long-term pain management.Discover the challenges many face when accessing manual therapy and sports physio within the NHS, and why patient advocacy is more crucial than ever. We provide practical advice on finding reputable private physiotherapists and discuss funding options for those who can’t afford private treatment. Finally, we address the profound impact of PGP on daily life, its psychological and social ramifications, and the vital need for a holistic approach to postnatal care. Sarah's story of resilience and advocacy serves as a powerful reminder that with the right support, women can reclaim their lives from the grips of pelvic pain.Want to know more?https://pelvicpartnership.org.uk/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruongqOgNkghttps://pelvicpartnership.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/PGP-Toolkit-V6.pdfhttps://pelvicpartnership.org.uk/healthcare-professionals/https://pelvicpartnership.org.uk/pelvic-partnership-wins-prize/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0266613813000107?via%3DihubThank you all for listening,  My name is Florence Wilcock I am an NHS doctor working as an obstetrician, specialising in the care of both mother and baby during pregnancy and birth. If you have enjoyed my podcast please do continue to subscribe, rate, review and recommend my podcast on your podcast provider.If you have found my ideas helpful whilst expecting your baby or working in maternity care please spread the word & help theobspod reach other parents or staff who may be interested in exploring all things pregnancy and birth. Keeping my podcast running  without ads or sponsorship is important to me. I want to keep it free and accessible to all but it costs me a small amount each month to maintain and keep the episodes live, if you wish to contribute anything to  support theobspod please head over to my buy me a coffee page  https://bmc.link/theobspodV any donation very gratefully received however small. Its easy to explore my back catalogue of episodes, I have a wide range of topics that may help you make decisions for yourself and your baby during pregnancy as well as some more reflective episodes on life as a doctor. If you want to get in touch to suggest topics, I love to hear your thoughts and ideas. You can find out more about me on Instagram @TheObsPod and email me on [email protected] Please also check out #MatExp matexp.org.uk for ideas about how to improve maternity experience. My bea...