anyone have experienced spd in their pregnancy???

[charzie]

hello im 24 weeks and 1 day. have my midwife appointment tomorrow. so was just browsing through my pregnacy stuff and come across spd (symphysis pubis dysfunction) pelvic pain! i have had this since about 15 weeks pregnant but put it down to being pregnant! over the last few weeks its got more painful i thought its normal because im getting bigger (bump). iv just read and have all the symptoms. i wil inform my midwife tomorow. but just wonderin on anyones experience of pregnancy with this condition. i can only imagine its going to get worse as bump gets bigger absolouting dreading birth now lol.

[KayloHalo]

Hi charzie, I had SPD with 2nd pregnancy - it's agony isn't it?

You can't turn over in bed, walk up/down stairs, walking in general is a challenge!

When I told my midwife she referred me to a physio dept who gave me a velcro belt thingy which was brilliant until I got well into my 3rd trimester - bump was so big/heavy the belt just couldn't lift it anymore.

I'm currently 12wks with dc3 and sooo hoping I don't get it again but fear there is no escape when I've already had it.

Hope all goes well!

[twolittlemonkeys]

I had this when pregnant. Despite the fact it normally gets worse with each subsequent pregnancy I had it worse when pg with DS1 than DS2. However, it is horrible and you have my sympathy. I could barely walk and was referred to a physio who gave me a belt to wear. That alleviated the pain slightly but tbh was pretty uncomfortable. I got one of those long pillows from dunelm for use in bed and found I was a lot comfier sleeping with one of those wedged between my knees and under my bump (plus it was useful in the early days of breastfeeding too). Hope you can get some help and hope it doesn't get any worse for you!

[bargainhuntingbetty]

Hi, I had this too. It was almost instant releif after dd was born (in fact my exact words were 'thank f* for that') lol. For the most part it went away totally after about 6 weeks but I find if I slip on the ice etc it can agrivate it again. You have my sympathies, I quicky forgot the pain of childbirth but I will NEVER EVER forget the pain of SPD. Go and see the physio for advice and def keep knees together when rolling over etc. Good luck

[echops]

Hi - I've had this since about 20 weeks (currently 34 weeks). I was eventually signed off work with it as I have a job that involves lots of walking. I too found it both physically and mentally demanding. The thing that's helped me most has been regular Osteopath appointments (expensive but worth it). As this is my first baby StayFrosty's comments have filled me with optimism that it really does go away and I'll be able to cope once the little one arrives. Good luck and keep those legs together when getting in and out of the car!

[Clydesdaleclopper]

I don't want to depress you but I had SPD with DS and I'm still suffering 2 1/2 years later so it doesn't always go away quickly. Mind you I did have it very badly, I was on crutches from 17 weeks and in a wheelchair for the last 6 weeks. The best treatment is definately osteopathy and a SI belt - these are much better than the bump support belts that the physios give you.

[curlycat]

Hi - I had SPD with both DC's - very late on with DD and a bout of physio after I had her worked well but it did come back with full force when i was pregnant with my DS at 14 weeks - ended up in hopsital with it so i could be monitored on strong pain killers.
Physio works best for me but I did hate the belt they gave me. My DD is 10 and my DS is 5 and i'm still prone to bouts of pain - lickily my work has a staff physio so i can get wheeled up there when it gets too much.
Have had about 4 times when it has just gone and i can't move but they do seem further apart.
One doctor told me hormones can affect it so as i'm hitting 40 soon i'm dreading it all going again!

OMG - that all sounds so negative. I do know a lot of other women who have suffered this in pregnancy then never had another minutes bother once their DC is delivered

[curlycat]

'lickily!!' luckily obviously (my jobs not that exciting)!

[LittleSilver]

I had it with DD3 (though not with 1 and 2, strangely enough, though 2 and 3 are very close together) and it was awful. My experience of my GPs was that they don't actually know what they are talking about, mine just told me it would go away as soon as I had the baby . I self-referred to women's health physio at hospital. And I'm afraid mine wasn't instant relief either and am still twingey 9 months later.

[morethemerrier]

I had this from 13 weeks with DS2, didn't suffer at all with my first so it was DC3 and have been suffering since about 11 weeks!.
Pelvic Partnership is an excellent source of info/support as Stayfrosty mentioned, they are really helpful and after being fobbed off by my Doctor (female I may add!) that it was all part of pregnancy The PP gave me the knowledge to go back and insist on referal to a phisio.
I ended up on crutches last time, but for me phisio did not seem to help, I had a support belt which I found uncomfortable so it was more coping and adapting whilst in pain.
Here are some things which helped, this time around I am definatley listening more to my body and again as SF said rest is best when things are really bad!
Place a plastic bag on your car seat to assist in getting out of the car, always put BOTH feet on the floor before standing, satin PJ's make it easier to turn over in bed, pillow between the legs can help at night!
I lost a lot of weight between my 2nd and this one (7.5stone) and wondered if it was a weight issue, but it is actually worse this time!
Also, be very careful as I managed to fall/slip several times last time and this time, must be as everything is so unstable and your general balance is off anyway, but it really does set you back!
I hope you get some help soon,there are probably thousands of pregnant women suffering as there does seem to be a lack of knowledge with some GP's.
My symptoms did seem to fade fairly quickly after I had my second, although as some have mentioned it can take a while.Take Care x

[Katharine19]

Bad luck, it is really miserable. I can't add to the excellent advice here, but if it's any consolation for the future I had it pretty badly with DS from 8 weeks, am now 16 weeks with DC2 and have only had a few twinges when I walk too far. My main concern about trying for another baby was getting it again, so am keeping everything crossed (literally) that I've been lucky this time.

For me it disappeared exactly 2 days before I went into labour which was the most amazing feeling, and hasn't reappeared. The belt, and osteopath really helped me first time round.

[TheDevilWearsPrimark]

I had it with DS.

Only tip I can give is to sleep on your side with a pillow between your legs.