Feeling down - spd

[sunshine114]

I have been suffering really badly with pain in my hips and down my legs, it has been getting worse every day, so I phoned the midwife. She has diagnosed me with a bad case of SPD, basically saying it would probably get worse as the pregnancy progresses, and that there are a few things that I can try to ease the pain. I haven't been sleeping properly, I am in constant pain like I have never had before and don't know what to do with myself.

I think it is going to end up that I can't work as I am really struggling now as it is - its hurts to even sit! I didn't want to tell my boss today as she is making redundancy decisions at the moment, so feel I have to carry on struggling, but it is getting so hard.

Has anyone else got it? Anyone have any tips on how to get through the next 4 months??

 

[Cactusgirl]

Sorry to hear you are suffering so badly. It is important you start working now to prevent it worsening.

I have got myself a Nexcare Hip girdle - it is bloody awful and I look like an old granny but it has done the world of good in the 4 days I have worn it. It has reduced the pain and I am sleeping a lot better at nights. It is not as painful rolling over in the night (previously it felt my pelvis was splitting in two!).

I have also started to attend aqua natal classes which my mw recommended which apparently is good for helping to relieve the pain.

When you are getting in and out of the car don't do it one leg at a time which is what you normally do - make sure you swing both legs out or in like a lady keeping the legs together.

I would also ensure you get a referral from your mw for physio. Some mw just pass it off as 'symptom of pregnancy' that you just have to live with but you should be referred. Keep pushing for this.

 

[wannabubba#4]

Hi there -so sorry you are having a bad time of it -I have spd -have been on crutches since 16weeks and off work since then too. I find the only thing that really helps is rest, my heated wheatbag is fab for temporary relief and I take regular paracetemol too. [you can take something stronger on prescription from doc but it caused my LO's movementrs to be significantly reduced, so I stopped taking it]. Avoiding things that exacerbate it is the main thing - climbing stairs is excrutiating, but when you have to, remember to take baby steps - only 1 at a time. Keep knees together when getting in /out of car, roll onto side to get out of bed, never stand on one leg - sit down to put on/ take off trousers, shoes ,undies etc. Driving tended to be very painful for me too.

See if you can get an appointment with an obstetric physio at your local hospitlal -they can confirm the diagnosis, and give you core strngthening techniques /exercises to do. Can also stabilize the pelvis if there is any mis-alignment and can offer advice on do 'sand dont's etc. Most units accept a self referral -so give them a phone yourself. They may offer you support belts or other aids too - I have had several different support belts, have a huge tubigrip covering my entire bump and have the crutches too. Hopefully yours wont get so bad -this is my fourth baby ,and second pregnancy with spd so much worse this time around.

There's a very helpful thread over in pregnancy club forum, where i have gotten lots of support and encouragement -called SPD /PGP support.

Also just like to add ,you cannot be made redundant due to sickness in pregnancy, I know that your boss could easily make up another excuse but really it is more hassle than its worth to make any pregnant employee redundant (unless there is huge mitigating circumstances like repeated poor performance or written/ or verbal warnings etc). I think you need to make your boss aware of this, because the damage caused / and subsequent pain can be reduced significantly if you take precaution and watch what you are doing from now on in. She will need to know all the facts, to ensure appropriate risk assesments are carried out.

Hope you feel better soon xx

 

[Lenasmommy226]

i as well have spd, not a severe case, but i am so sore all the time, tomorrow i will be 22 weeks and im just ready for the pregnancy to be over with, i thought i would enjoy this pregnancy but it has been hell. i just can't wait to meet my little angel. She will be worth it in the end. =]

good luck with everything i will be praying for EVERY pregnant woman out there.

 

[sunshine114]

There's a very helpful thread over in pregnancy club forum, where i have gotten lots of support and encouragement -called SPD /PGP support.

Thanks for the replies. The MW I spoke to was very good, she suffered with it in her second pregnancy, so at least she acknowledged that it was a real thing! She did worry me a bit by saying it would get worse as I got bigger, but she has referred me to physio to see if there is something they can do - she said they may give me a support belt / tube thing then.

I have 4 days of work next week, then two weeks off, so hopefully I will make it til then and the rest will help. Plus, its the weekend now, and DH does a very good job of looking after me!

I will check out that forum as well, thanks. x

 

[Lenasmommy226]

my sister also had spd with her 3rd child, and she did have a support belt. and it took alot of pressure off her. hopefully it will help you out. i feel for ya!

 

[AndreaVX]

Argh i feel for you....I got spd really bad aswell sometimes i cry because i'm in so much pain with it, turning over in bed is agony feels like someone is tearing something.

I bought myself a pregnancy pillow from ebay and i must say it does help, I also got the Nexcare maternity belt tho i found it didn't work that well for me maybe cos i'm a plus size.

 

[sunshine114]

Where do you get a Nexcare belt from? Is it something you can buy yourself, or that you have to get from MW?

Am feeling a little better this morning, but had so much rest last night, it definately seems to help. DH found a pillow online as well that I think we are going to order which will hopefully give me some help at night.

I wouldn't wish this on anyone, but I am glad I am not alone!!!

 

[AndreaVX]

Nexcare belt you can get from mothercare 34.99, also i bought a 5ft pregnancy pillow off ebay for 7.95 and its fantastic.

 

[sunshine114]

Thanks, I will look at mothercare x