Suspected SPD - midwife or GP for diagnosis and referral?

[snickersnacker]

I'm 22+6 and have had increasing pains in my groin over the past couple of weeks. They're worse after sitting still for a long time or when turning over in bed. From reading around I think it might be SPD but this is only a self-diagnosis.

I'd be grateful to know if sufferers have had better responses going through their GP or through MW to get a diagnosis and support. I am very fortunate to have a named MW with a community team and I next see her in 2 weeks, but if she is likely to send me to my GP then I'll go straight there.

Any other tips would be really gratefully received.

[Fairypants]

My mw sent me to physio and consultant but there was never any difficulty getting a referral- just a 3 month wait for an appointment!
Both gp and mw are likely to refer in the same way but mw is most likely to know ways to negotiate the system re: obstetric specialist referrals. Good luck.

[Fairypants]

I'd also recommend Pilates- it has been most helpful with my ongoing joint probs and I wish I knew about it in pregnancy

[Greenrabbit]

I spoke to my midwife yesterday about the same problem. She gave me the number to refer myself to the physio. I rang them and they booked me an appointment for a telephone assessment in afew days.

I would give your MW a ring to see if this is the case in your area. Apparently it's common now. Good luck.

[noisytoys]

I was referred to physio at the hospital and they provided a support belt and crutches within a week

[fertilityFTW]

I mentioned it to the MW, she had me get a referral to physio from GP. It was all fairly quick and straightforward - may depend on where you're based.

[tomatoplantproject]

Check if you have medical insurance through work - mine doesn't cover pregnancy related stuff so my gp just signed it off as back pain. I had weekly physio which made a massive difference for a few days, and I also did pregnancy yoga. You need to get clued up about keeping your pelvis straight so changing the way you climb out of a car, out of bed etc. so be careful about some Pilates moves. Fortunately having the baby helps massively. Good luck!

[Fairypants]

Yes, I should have specified re: Pilates that its important to go to a qualified teacher. A generic class in a hall or something will at best be geared to fitness and at worst the teacher may not know what they are doing. For SPD you would need to see someone either 1:1 or in a very small group (maybe 3 if mixed or up to 6 if all pregnant) and have a teacher who knows their stuff. This is expensive but was the best help I found.
Good luck, and, as tomatoplant said, it gets much better when the baby's born. In my case it went completely despite being bad enough to have been on crutches from 4 months. It also made my delivery easier as long as I stuck to certain positions.

[atrcts]

With my first baby SPD occurred after giving birth so I went to the GP for a physio referral.

In my second pregnancy SPD happened around the 22 weeks mark and my midwife said she would refer me if it gets any worse.

[snickersnacker]

Thank you so much for your responses. I spoke to MW today, who has directed me to the GP. Incidentally, she advised me to take a urine sample to address the possibility that it may be a urinary infection. I've also found a pregnancy Pilates class nearby so I am hopeful that I can manage this and keep as mobile as possible!

Thanks again.

[Fairypants]

That sounds like a good plan snickers- I hope it all goes well.

[BabyHMummy]

Ohhh glad i cam across this post as suffering the same

My mw is on Hols will Gp be any use or should i ring the antenatal team at hospital?