Spd/pgp

[mamawanabe21]

Hi ladies 👋🏻
I’m posting here because I can’t seem to find anyone as early as me in pregnancy that’s suffering as bad.
Basically I had SPD/PGP with my first born 5 years ago. It never went away although it was a manageable daily pain. Now I’m 13 weeks pregnant and Oh My God, I’m in so much pain! It started at 6 weeks and I’ve seen a dr who said he would refer me to physio (never worked before so not too hopeful) and I still haven’t heard anything despite me trying to chase it up.
I am miserable The pain is in every pelvis joint, front and back. I can’t walk unless it’s at a snail pace and even then every footstep is agony, I can’t sit because of pain, can’t lie, can’t slee.
Have tried a birthing ball, pillows between my legs etc.

I was just wondering if any of you have any advice/tips and tricks for easing the pain. I’m currently taking 30/500 cocodomal, but may ask t be put on pure codiene as my gynea said it’s slightly stronger.

I’m so terrified of the rest of this prenancy, and the pain that is coming

 

[Bonnie11]

Oh you have all my sympathies! Mine is horrendous also. I cant sit stand lie or walk and I'm in agony 90% of the time. Mine started about 20 weeks and has got progressively worse the last month. The only thing that really helped me was an osteopath that specialised in SPD, I really highly recommend going to see one. She kept me off crutches for a good couple of months and have only really needed them the last month on and off but now every day, think because baby is so heavy now! But it defiantly helped in the early stages. I was also really careful with my pain medication, it's so easy to build up a tolerance to the pain meds which I was conscious of. I tried to take the co codamol only 3-4 times a week and just rested whenever I could. The last few weeks I have been having to take them every day and I already feel like they are less effective than they were. I try to just take 2 at bedtime only so I manage to get some sleep! And my consultant didnt really like me taking them in the last few weeks as addiction is so easy and baby can be born with codiene addiction too so I do try everything else before I take them. Ie lying down and resting etc. You have all my sympathy it's so horrible. I would say osteopath and yoga are the key but make sure you pick people with experience of SPD or you can do more harm than good! Good luck, I'm having a section early as it's so bad now I'm having to crawl on all fours by the end of the day! X

 

[MindUtopia]

See an osteopath. It sounds more complicated than just SPD if you are getting it beyond your pubic joint. It could be SI joint dysfunction, which I have (I have it not pregnant as well, it's not specific to pregnancy, but pregnancy can make it flare up). It usually gets worse with subsequent pregnancies because your pelvis is already so badly misaligned from your previous pregnancy and carrying around an older child. The osteopath made a world of difference for me. With my first, I was able to completely get rid of it within a month. And this time around I started appts in 2nd tri and it's never developed. I could hardly walk with my first, but no SPD at all this time. I do continue to have ocassional SI joint pain (which I have pregnant or not) but it's been largely manageable and it's only been since baby (I think) engaged that I've been especially uncomfortable. But I made it to 36 weeks feeling pretty fine this time. The problem with physio is they want you to stretch and strengthen your pelvis/lower back/core, but all that is pointless if your pelvis is twisted and out of place. If you can fix the alignment, then the pain often improves and stretching and strengthening is much more effective.

 

[JoHio]

I didn't know this was a thing, to be honest, but from what you are all saying, I have it! I feel like my pelvis is going to break loose from my body sometimes when I am walking, and I limp almost everywhere -- especially after I first get up from bed or from sitting. I still work out 5-6 days a week, and am not sure if this is helping or making it worse (but it makes my mind feel better so I do it). But, I must say, the pain is terrible, and it has gotten worse with each pregnancy (this is my 4th).

I am happy to hear about the osteopath. I am not sure if it is too late for me know at around 37 weeks, but I have an appointment on Friday so I will ask about it. I guess I am not contributing much to this thread except to say I feel you, and hope you can rest as much as possible. How terrible!

 

[Bonnie11]

Absolutely not ideal to keep working out Jo but as you said it is a little late in the day to be worrying now! But I have to say it may not be SPD for you or at least be a much milder form, There is no way I could even get to work out even if I wanted to and I definitely would not be able to walk afterwards. the pain is absolutely crippling, I have to crawl around on all fours by the end of the day so I daresay if you are able to workout then that alone is a good sign. Having said that I think you would definitely benefit from an osteopath trip, might be as well going after the birth now as my osteo said there is not much she can do for me now baby is so low it's the weight that is causing the excessive pain so am not going back till I give birth now and she can fix me afterwards. So it may be worth you holding on if you can, I think everyone should see an osteo after giving birth anyway!good luck and I hope it doesn't get worse for you x

 

[JoHio]

Absolutely not ideal to keep working out Jo but as you said it is a little late in the day to be worrying now! But I have to say it may not be SPD for you or at least be a much milder form, There is no way I could even get to work out even if I wanted to and I definitely would not be able to walk afterwards. the pain is absolutely crippling, I have to crawl around on all fours by the end of the day so I daresay if you are able to workout then that alone is a good sign. Having said that I think you would definitely benefit from an osteopath trip, might be as well going after the birth now as my osteo said there is not much she can do for me now baby is so low it's the weight that is causing the excessive pain so am not going back till I give birth now and she can fix me afterwards. So it may be worth you holding on if you can, I think everyone should see an osteo after giving birth anyway!good luck and I hope it doesn't get worse for you x

Thank you! By the end of the day, I am a mess. I cried rolling over in bed last night the pain was so bad. I often think I shouldn't be working out, but I have OCD, and it is one of my ticks I have to check off everyday or I cannot function. It is excruciating some days through the workout, but I push myself anyway. THIS said, perhaps it is not exactly what you guys have or a milder form. I rang my doctor and he said that he would not be surprised if it was SPD given my complaints last time he saw me, but given my mental condition, I should keep working out lest I fly off the deep end -- as long as I am modifying my workouts accordingly (which I am).

Again, however, I am not sure it is as bad as what you are describing. Yes, by the end of he day I am in massive pain and can only feel OK if I lie flat on my back (and sometimes not even then) and I am having to take Tyenol, which I have never before, BUT this could be typical for 37 weeks pregnant, period, right? I mean, there's another person in my body...

 

[Bonnie11]

Ha yes it could be engagement pain or anything really! The most important thing is not letting your legs open, that is the absolute worst thing you can do for it so make sure your legs are always in line, no squats or anything that you have to open your legs for. Your muscles and ligaments are extra loose so it's very easy to do permanent damage by over stretching an already out of line pelvis. Could you try gentle swimming instead of workouts? As long as no breaststroke legs you should be fine and the water takes the weight of the baby. Not much longer for either of us, have heard it disappears fairly quickly after birth as long as you haven't overdone it too much. Also in labour make sure they are aware... absolutely no stirrups, best thing is to birth on all fours so you're not stretching your legs wide. And my consultant has advised against an epidural unless absolutely necessary as you can't feel when you are overstreching and you can end up permanently damaging yourself x

 

[mamawanabe21]

Yeah hanks for your replies ladies.
I went to see my doctor today. He done an exam and had me literally crying in pain. My pelvis was crunching so loudly he could hear it he’s referring me to an orthopaedic specialist centre, where there are chiropractors, osteos, skeletal doctors and surgeons etc to try and find something that will help, at least until I’m no longer pregnant
I’m so miserable. From first thing in the morning I struggle to walk. I’ve spent most of today lying in bed but even that’s super uncomfortable. Counting down the weeks now. At least you guys should be over the pain soon - I hope you all are cured after birth! Good luck!

 

[JoHio]

Ha yes it could be engagement pain or anything really! The most important thing is not letting your legs open, that is the absolute worst thing you can do for it so make sure your legs are always in line, no squats or anything that you have to open your legs for. Your muscles and ligaments are extra loose so it's very easy to do permanent damage by over stretching an already out of line pelvis. Could you try gentle swimming instead of workouts? As long as no breaststroke legs you should be fine and the water takes the weight of the baby. Not much longer for either of us, have heard it disappears fairly quickly after birth as long as you haven't overdone it too much. Also in labour make sure they are aware... absolutely no stirrups, best thing is to birth on all fours so you're not stretching your legs wide. And my consultant has advised against an epidural unless absolutely necessary as you can't feel when you are overstreching and you can end up permanently damaging yourself x

This is GREAT advice, thank you! I will definitely bring it up when I see my doctor in person on Friday, but in the meantime, I guess I should lay off the pile squats! (Not that I do them much anyway.) With previous pregnancies, the pain has gone away almost immediately, but I certainly don't want to do permanent damage. Again, thank you for the tips! You're a gem.

And I hope we all feel better soon. I cannot wish this pregnancy away, since: 1) It will likely be my last 2) I have three kids wearing me out already on the outside and 3) I try to remember that life is a feast and not a race, but the pain can make it hard to stay chill!