SPD, anyone else suffering? advice please

[hels08]

Hi ladies, i never had SPD in my first pregnancy but this is my 2nd and was diagnosed at 17 weeks. midwife referred me to physio who gave me a support belt but that hasnt helped at all and as you cannot wear it sat down im taking it on and off all day. had a few weeks where the pain was hardly there but for the last few weeks im suffering more as i get bigger!
I cannot turn in bed, climb stairs and everyday tasks are having me nearly in tears. when midwife referred me to physio it took a month to get an appointment, im now 31 weeks so is there any point asking to be re-referred to physio?
They said to take it easy but with a 6yr old that really isnt an option, have to walk her to school and back every day which is 25 minutes each way.
And im starting to worry about the birth now, will the SPD pain increase a lot during labour, what if i go overdue and baby is even bigger?
I know im babbling on but i would just appreciate any tips or advice from anyone else who has had SPD.

thanks ladies xxx

 

[squeezytoy]

Hello Hels - big sympathy - I had it in 2nd preg, I swam a lot - the muscle tone helped hold me together and also kept my weight gain sensible, and it increased my upper body strength. Also I stopped sitting cross legged (big fave of mine) because it was unhinging me, and I went to bed a bit earlier when I could to try to rest up.
Labour - no idea if it made it worse... I don't think labour feels good, SPD or not. But the day after labour I climbed up onto a high bed without a second thought! (and no-one else understood why I was so excited about that!) Would love to hear ideas from other mums because I'm going for number 3 now and at 15wks can already feel the creaks...
Good luck with your pregnancy, hope it all goes really well.

 

[Anna1982]

hiya
i had spd in my last pregnancy
24 weeks on crutches, and induced at 37 weeks
I ordered a full length body pillow which helped sleeping until I got to 30 weeks, then I could only sit up on the sofa with my legs raised to sleep
mine was classed as a severe case

I had the physio and the belt, and burst into tears when the physio said there was nothing else they could do.

I hope your doesnt get like mine did, keep on at your doc about it, people just dont realise how bad the pain is

Im fully recovered now, took a few months after birth,

 

[kheiro]

I cannot reccomend this agency enough

pelvicpartnership . org . uk

It's a charity and was established by a woman who experienced debilitating SPD /PGP herself and aims to provide information to mums, their families and employers,including info on how to achieve the best birth for you. For instance I wasn't aware that hospitals may cite SPD as a reason not to have a waterbirth but actually they should have a policy on how to deal with someone who may become unconscious in a pool so helping you in and out shouldn't actually be a reason not to do it. You can just ask for a surface at the side of the pool that you can sit on to swing both legs aound to get into the pool. They do a great free information pack that gives info on how to deal with daily life, help that's available to you including benefits if needed and physios/chiros/osteos who have attended a course that they run aimed specifically at SPD/ PGP that includes more than just handing you a support belt and crutches. When I did the course there were a large number of NHS physios doing it but also quite a few private ones.If you can afford the outlay you will most likely be able to get a relatively quick apt with a private physio.

In addition to info the pelvic partnership has an advice line at the end of which will be someone who will just listen if that's what you want. Call them,you wonlt regret it :0).

Hope that helps.

 

[kelzyboo]

Hi, i had this is my first pg and unfortunately i never fully recovered, i have pelvic damage now (looks like bone erosion on a bone scan!) and my pelvis still cracks and makes a really nice grinding sound lol

Don't worry though, the majority of women fully recover after the birth, i guess i'm one of the unlucky ones lol

Don't worry about labour, SPD doesn't makes labour pains any worse or the delivery harder but what it does do is makes it harder for you to move, change positions and get slightly comfy!! Be aware of your pain free gap and make sure the mw knows you have SPD and she doesnt move your legs too far apart like mine did (she completely ignored SPD notes and put my legs up anyway, that caused the permenant damage, not the SPD)

Now i'm pregnant again i'm making sure they all know about it, as i was very severe with DD and the damage i still have i will be induced early this time if not a planned c-section!

Try to enjoy your bump, it won't last forever and your pain should go away with the right physio after the birth. Good luck, hope all goes well for you and baby xx

 

[kheiro]

Just a quick tip on ensuring that the pain free gap is maintained. Measure a piece of bright red ribbon to the same distance as your PFG and staple it to the front of your maternity notes. Use a permanent marker to write on it that that is what it is and make sure your birth partner brings it to your caregivers attention and that they use it.

 

[podgy]

HI,
I had SPD or now reffered as PGP in 3 of my pregancies. The last one started at 10 weeks and was using crotches by week 13. I only suffered with boys (no idea why). A few tips i can give to help ease is under your sheet on your bed place and extra duvet and investment in a large pillow is well worth it. Ask you OH (if you have one) to move everything you may need to a height where you don't have to bend or stretch. I di have children who were at school and needed to do the school run. I found walking with a pram (empty) was useful. It's true rest while you can. I did end up in a wheel chair with G5 but was soon out of it when he was born.
For labour and delivery tell every new doc/MW you may come into contact you have spd/pgp. Get into whatever position is comfortable for you. I found the birthball was rather comfy up against the bed with a pillow to stop it moving to and fro.
My MW was brilliant and I birthed on the edge of the bed (They could make a seat by taking the bottom off) all weight was supported by assistant and my OH and my legs left free to dangle while MW did her magic.

Hope this helps,
My symptoms and pain cleared up within a few months of having baby x

 

[Chantibug]

Hi, I have this, my OB just finally decided to put it in my chart. I'm glad to find a place where other's have it (although I'm sorry you have it!). I've found heating pads to work wonderfully, but then I read that if you use one too often you may inadvertently relax the pelvis even more... :/ I have a desk job, and I avoid sitting for too long. Latly I am up and moving/stretching/walking every 20 minutes because any longer causes extreme stiffness.

The worst for me is when coworkers in the office say "oh wow look at you waddling!" and laugh... It may seem funny I suppose, but they don't understand it's the SPD .. and unfortunately there is not a large knowledge of SPD, which is why my OB says "get a maternity belt, it's part of pregnancy and very common".

 

[VGibs]

I just found out I have SPD and have noticed the pain shows up when I am stepping with my left leg. I have a very old victorian house with 15 steps that we moving into in the next three weeks and I am scared to death! I will have to be pretty much living downstairs because the idea of those steps is to painful to even consider.