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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Any advice on SPD?

75 replies

NoTeaForMe · 24/04/2013 16:26

I'm 36w+4d and had my midwife appointment today. After explaining the pain I am in she said it sounds like SPD. She says of it gets worse she will refer me to a physio but that really there's is no cure. I now only have around 4 weeks (hopefully!) left so I'm looking at ways to live with it and not make it worse! Any tips?

OP posts:

SourSweets · 24/04/2013 19:44

I had physio for mine and it pretty much did cure it, it's now about 90% better than it was. Shortening your strides, sitting down frequently, taking lifts instead of stairs and sleeping with a pillow between your knees all help. Good luck, it is awful but apparently disappears after you've popped your bab out!

BabyHMummy · 24/04/2013 20:08

I am only 23 week and suffering like hell...lots of rests, hot baths with muscle soak work well and a maternity support belt are all things i was recommended. The belt didn't help me due to where the pain is but frankly there really isn't a lot you can do. Paracetamol and codeine accouting to my gp but unfortunately i am allergic to codeine and my hyperemesis can't tolerate paracetamol but worth a try.

Original poster

NoTeaForMe · 24/04/2013 20:47

Thanks, unfortunately resting isn't that easy as I have a 2.6 year old already!

Hopefully the baby will be out before it has time to get much worse, I didn't have anything like this pain last time. It's waking me up in the night, and I don't need another reason to be woken up!

Where would I get a maternity support belt from?

OP posts:

BabyHMummy · 24/04/2013 21:12

Mothercare done for £12

Mayanbob · 24/04/2013 21:17

my physio recommends the emma jane ones available from amazon/ other maternity retailers. Although she says that they do need to be unclipped when you sit down. I have found that avoiding stairs as much as possible, and then going up them one at a time (if in public) or backwards on my bum (if at home) really helps (probably the thing that helps the most if i'm honest). At bedtime if you are sleeping on your side, then prop up everything with pillows -between knees, under bump, under butt. I'm only 23 weeks with my first so you may be doing some of this already as part of normal pregnancy stuff- I'm such a novice

DH got me one of those ridiculously large body pillows that goes round down and through legs- he did this as the pillows were squishing him out of bed- and to be honest it's the best thing ever.

Try and avoid irritating your ligaments by keeping your legs together and not crossing them.

Ice also helps. We have a packet of frozen peas that are now designated as the crotch SPD pain relievers.

hope this helps, and that you get some relief.

Catsycat · 24/04/2013 21:46

I saw an Osteopath with DD2 and DD3. With DD2, it was late on in my pg when I saw her. I didn't expect it to work, but it was brilliant, and I got a couple of weeks pain free before I needed to go back. With DD2, I went at about 20 weeks, as soon as I felt any twinges, and I hardly had any pain, and could go 2 months between treatments. She also has a catalogue where she can order maternity belts.

With DD1, I tried physio. It didn't work for me (though I know it does for some), but I did get a support belt fitted and given to me for free :) though I can't say it helped massively!

Def. second sleeping with a pillow / firm cushion between your knees. Sit down on the edge of the bed to put on trousers / knickers. Swivel round on your bum to get in/out of the car (sit on a plastic bag to make it more slidey if ncessary). Order your supermarket shop online, if you don't already, and do not push heavy shopping trolleys - that was agonizing for me!!!

Hope it goes away soon.

simbaandblue · 24/04/2013 22:13

Just a tip for giving birth with spd, try to keep active and don't use stirrups unless absolutely necessary. My delivery was horrific in part due to spd but I was induced so had no choice but to be inactive as you're not allowed to get up or anything. My spd is worse now, 11 weeks post birth and that's due to the delivery (ended up with forceps). Just something to think about.. I don't want you going through what I am, on crutches and trying to cope with an 11 week old! Good luck xxx

BabyHMummy · 24/04/2013 22:44

simba loving the carrier bag idea!! Will be fishing out my best lakeland bag tomorrow. And for the labour tips. A friend of mine is still having issues a year after her dd was born so am dreading it getting worse. Am already struggling to walk.

Mine came on after going swimming...exercise is dangerous!!!

fusspot66 · 24/04/2013 22:51

Silky pajama bottoms were very helpful for easier rolling over in bed. Agree with all previous advice.

geologygirl · 24/04/2013 22:52

SPD is incredibly painful and will be worse after labour. My GP waved me away when I asked for a belt and just told me its all part of pregnancy...so not sympathetic or helpful at all!

In the end I got a sarong and tied it round ny hips and thighs. I made it soooo tight and it meant I couldn't open my legs much and really restricted my movement. I did the same after labour as well. It really helped but hopefully your GP is better than mine!

NAR4 · 24/04/2013 22:53

Mine didn't go after my 4th baby but turned out my pelvis wasn't aligned after giving birth. This time I went to a physio to get my pelvis checked after birth and have had no problems. Some hospitals will get a physio to check you after birth, before you go home.

zipzap · 24/04/2013 23:00

Get a support belt asap - and get that physio referral asap too. it's not like you have long left but even a couple of sessions with a physio can help lots, and they can give you some really detailed advice for your personal situation when you give birth.

It's naughty of the midwife to make you wait while you are in pain - and it's likely to get worse in the last few weeks as your bump gets bigger and puts more pressure downwards and you have more hormones floating around to soften everything up even more.

First time around I had to fight to get physio, was just expected to put up and shut up about the pain. Eventually got it, helped loads. Including the belt.

Second time around - different area. Told the MW early on about pain starting, thinking it would be a long battle to get help. Got immediate referral, saw physio every 2 or 3 weeks from then on and every week the last month before I was due, got belts and exercises early on. Result - much less severe pain and problems.

DOn't know why MW don't hand out belts as they can help so much. I know they reckon that they don't help everyone but given that they will really really help a seriously large significant number of those that do use them, surely it is worth wasting the odd one or two that don't help much and saving a lot of pain and problems for everyone else that they do help. It's not like a physio will know beforehand if it will work for you or not. And the sooner you wear it the more help it can provide and prevent things from getting bad as quickly. There are a lot more medicines and treatments that have much lower success rates that get prescribed without a thought!

Begga · 29/04/2013 13:23

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by Mumsnet for breaking our Talk Guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

BeCool · 29/04/2013 15:58

I had mildish SPD and then really bad heartburn. So I had to sleep on a slope, which made the SPD really bad. Cycle of hell.

I used to sleep propped up with loads of cushions that helped. And I moved slowly. Getting up from sitting down at work was agony. I did see a physio and that helped.

Gosh I'm just moaning, not offering advice.

On the bright side it did mostly stop after the baby came (she was due 2 years ago today).

IneedAsockamnesty · 29/04/2013 16:19

Before you go into labour measure your pain free gap ( how far you can spread your legs before it hurts) get the measurement put on your birth plan and highlighted during labour get support not to go past your pain free zone. Its also better if you don't deliver when flat on your back.

IneedAsockamnesty · 29/04/2013 16:21

Oh and if anyone offers you a cortisone type injection in your pelvis refuse it, it hurts like buggery and only helps for about an hour.

HairyPoppins · 29/04/2013 16:22

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ButteryJam · 29/04/2013 16:31

I would recommend contacting the PGP support group and asking them for the list of osteopaths that are recommended for PGP in your area. I had bad PGP around 20 weeks or so and I couldn't even stand for more than 5 min. I went to see an osteopath, paid £30 and somehow he had fixed it. I'd recommend it and think its definitely worth a shot.

ScienceRocks · 29/04/2013 17:25

Get a properly fitted belt.

Take paracetamol.

Use a tens machine.

Don't push shopping trolleys or go bowling.

Don't lift anything if you can avoid it (I taught my then two year old to get in and out of the bath herself and do up her own car seat harness).

Make sure your birth plan makes it very clear that you have SPD.

Get physio before and after the birth.

If the pain is awful, you may be induced early (I was, as I was likely to end up being induced anyway).

If you are induced, fight for an epidural as the SPD can make the labour more painful.

BlingLoving · 29/04/2013 17:27

I saw a chiropracter and can't recommend it enough.

One of the interesting things she pointed out is that it's because your pelvis is moving incorrectly, and this puts pressure on the joints and spine and causes inflammation. As a result, she got me to ice my lower back - right where my spine ends - on a regular basis and it helps a lot. Another chiropracter told me that ice never does any harm.

So try ice. And if you can afford it, try a chiro.

PanpiperAtTheGatesOfYawn · 29/04/2013 19:09

I had appalling SPD (got it at 16 weeks) and the things that helped were:

don't do too much. It's seriously hard when you have children/job/etc but - for example - don't make unneccessary trips to the corner shop or up and down the stairs.
Physio. Echo Bling about chiro but you must use one who knows about SPD or they can do more harm than good.
Support belt. Your physio will fit this for you.
Pilates. Anything that strengthens your stomach muscles is brilliant.

SPD is awful. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. By the time I had DD2 every time I turned over in bed I cried. But I was mobile to the end I was told I'd probably have to give up work at 30 weeks so it was an achievement.

PanpiperAtTheGatesOfYawn · 29/04/2013 19:10

Oh yes, and ice on your frontal pelvic joint - the pubic gap itself - is very soothing and reduces inflammation. I used to sit there with frozen peas on my fanny. Amazing DH is still with me really

Original poster

NoTeaForMe · 29/04/2013 19:13

Can I ask then, I have this pain like someone has kicked me while wearing a really pointy shoe-up into my groin. My bits feel bruised and it's quite a sharp pain. Is that all SPD too? This is the worst pain. It's what hurts when I go from standing to sitting or vice-versa and when I turn over in bed etc.

Thanks, and thanks for all the advice so far it's really helpful.

OP posts:

PanpiperAtTheGatesOfYawn · 29/04/2013 19:26

That's classic SPD.

I felt like someone was skewering me with a white hot poker when I walked.

PanpiperAtTheGatesOfYawn · 29/04/2013 19:27

Has anyone yet said about making sure you sleep with a pillow between the knees so your pelvis isn't wonky?

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