I have really shocked and taken aback how many people seem to be getting it all of a sudden (including me). I had my first baby in 1987 and never heard of it before now.

Work have been great, btw - I worked from home 4 days a week until last week.

Good luck Hawkmoth I hope the physio works for you too. SPD is so horrendous, it's only those who've had it who can sympathise, I've found xx

Sorry for encouraging hijack!

Will get a referral to physio next time I see MW.

Fingers (but not legs, can't for pain) crossed.

It hit me like a brick wall last time at 32 weeks and went from fairly mobile to bed-bound over one weekend.

SPD kicked in much earlier this time round (symptoms started by 12 weeks). I'm now 22 weeks. I asked midwife to refer to me to physio at booking in appointment. Physio has been wicked and given me list of things not to do.

I have a belt to wear that helps a lot. I have good days and bad days. On good days, as long as I'm not walking too fast or too far, I can cope quite well. Bad days leave me stuck on the sofa and hobbling. My physio (who is on the national committee regarding SPD/PGP) says that most people she treats have a milder version second time round as you tend to get the symptoms earlier and therefore modify your movements earlier and avoid aggravating it to the extent where you are house-bound later in pregnancy.

I hope there is no threat of a wheelchair this time round. I have a two year old and I'm not sure how I'd cope with a toddler if I couldn't walk....

Sorry to hijack thread!!

Your SPD is better second time round? You have given me hope! You done anything different?

I had early crippling back pain and pelvic stabbings, but now at 12ish weeks feel just about ok. I guess I'd resigned myself to being off for three months like last time, but if there's a chance it might not be as bad I would like to rethink!

I was signed off at 32 weeks, but the doc sneakily put 'sciatica' on the note (I was suffering from this as a result of the SPD, so not a lie). They couldn't prove this was pregnancy related so was given sick pay until baby was born (early, at 37 weeks when mat leave kicked in).

I was on crutches and due to pick up wheelchair at appointment on the Monday but went into labour on the Thursday before.

I've currently got it again with this second pregnancy, but no where near as bad.

I would state that you are going to work from home, failing that, go see GP....

So really... being evil... if you have SPD you should tell your employer that you'll be starting Mat leave at 36 weeks at the earliest...

FatController, thanks for that link, I have just emailed HR and sent it to them, so hopefully I will be back on track to be signed off sick until Maternity leave now. Glad I asked!!

I was signed off work at 23 weeks for SPD. I was on crutches way before that. When I first got crutches (about 17 weeks) My midwife first wrote a letter for me to give to my employer explaining my condition and that I couldn't sit at my desk for long periods, needed to hobble around, take extra breaks etc. I was ok for a while and did work at home some days too. At 23 weeks my doctor said 'enough' and was amazed that I was continuing to try and work and then signed me off for the duration of my pregnancy. I was on sick pay until 36 weeks when my employer triggered my mat leave (I was going to finish then anyway so no problem for me). I also had a holiday booked while I was on sick pay and that time was counted as sick not holiday as I had a doctors note covering the time. Hope this helps you. I really sympathise as it it so debilitating. I found the pain decreased as soon as I could rest properly at home.

I would get signed off to be honest.