SPD.....

[mum2oliver]

Im 35 weeks and have suffered from SPD from 15weeks.Its really bad in the evenings from about 5pm onwards.I can hardly walk.I just manage to get myself to the loo.Im worried about going into labour when Im in this state.Its my second so am well aware of the pain.I was no where near like this before and just dont see how Im going to manouver myself to deliver etc.Could I damage myself?
My labour was 6hours before and I shouldnt presume but say its half the time this time round(as Iv heard some are)there wont be time for an epidural and anyway our hosp delay them for some reason(they make excuses) Any advicce or knowledge out there?

[2boysmacca]

I had (have) SPD in both my pregnanices. You need to make your midwife aware of it and work out how far apart you can actually hold your legs open without it hurting. Make sure your partner is aware of this whilst giving birth so you don't go over this threshold.

In my second labour I gave birth on all fours on the advice of the midwives (I had a homebirth). The midwives were excellent. Giving birth this way did not aggrevate the SPD (first labour I was hauled up in stirrups without any consideration to the pain I was in).

11 months on, I still suffer midly from SPD but it usually stems from exercise.

Good Luck!

[mum2oliver]

They put me in stirrups too.Im dead worried and know I will lose sleep over it.Thanku for advice.

[leostarbaby]

I had spd really badly with my second baby and was terrified of the labour! I too, gave birth on all fours though and I agree that it didn't seem to worsen the spd. I spent all of the labour in the bath which was a huge help- I had hired a birthing pool (was in bath waiting for it to fill up) but it was all pretty quick in the end so I never had time to get in! If you're having a homebirth I would definitely reccomend a pool as I'm sure being in the water really helped because my weight was supported and if my labour had been longer I'm sure the pool would have been a lifesaver. You can hire them privately or your local hospital might have one to hire. Even if you are having a hospital birth some hospitals do have pools now. I think the main think is to make sure you are NOT put in stirrups or strapped to a moniter for ages lying on your back- I think you have to be quite forceful about this.
Good luck! (btw I've just found out I'm expecting my third and desperately hope I don't get spd again!)

[2boysmacca]

Dh won't have another because he can't cope with me being pregnant again! OK, so SPD did kick in very early on (it was the SPD that alerted me to the fact I could be pregnant) and I was in tears most nights because of the pain but hey, it's all worth it.

Leostarbaby, at what stage did yours stop? With ds1 it stopped within a couple of months of finishing breastfeeding (about 13 months). Ds2 is 11.5 months and I stopped bf at 7 months, and I still have it.

[mum2oliver]

Leostarbaby,
Good luck.I have already decided that amongst other reasons but main one being spd I wont be having a 3rd.I think you are a strong person and yes it is worth it but Im having a bad time with it and just feel I could not cope next time.
Its a terrible thing to live with.Mine didnt supside for a long time after ds birth.I had physio and that helped.Was taught excersises that strengthened all the muscle surrounded that area.Mine were f**t after birth and still are!!!
My body feels destroyed and I feel very unhealthy.
You are so right about being assertive and forceful about it to the hosp.Unfortuantely I am not that assertive and this is I suppose why I am worrying about it.
I HATED being in hospital and could not wait to leave.They were so unsupportive on the ward,though nice enough in labour,but still treated the whole thing like it was so routine for them,but to me it was an unbelievable experience and a shock.
Is it not hard work on the knees and wrists being on all fours?
What were on?The floor?

[2boysmacca]

Not for me, but I was leaning over the sofa so that gave me some support. Try leaning over a birthing ball, and see how comfortable it feels.

[andgrae]

Hi every1, Im new 2 mumsnet, but wanted 2 join in discussion on spd. I had it really bad from about 14 weeks, gradually getting worse til they induced me 2 weeks early. I was on crutches at the end and really concerned about vaginal delivery, but my son was born naturally 8 days ago with no problems (9 mins 2nd stage!!) Am so happy I can start to walk again as every step was agony.
I was stuck in bed during delivery on drips and monitors, so had to birth on my back. I have read how u should try to avoid this, but I had no problems, in fact was quite surprised that my legs seemed to spring open of their own accord!
Hope this reassures any1 with spd waiting to give birth x.

[ejt1764]

Have a look at the pelvic partnership website - there's all sorts of useful info and advice sheets.

I'm now 38 weeks, and have been suffering with SPD since very early on in this pg - I have had physio and hydrotherapy ... and I have pushed to use water to deliver in as I get excellent pain relief from the hydrotherapy sessions.

Have you had any physio input?

[andgrae]

Physio just gave me a brace which didnt help much and crutches at week 34 (i think) which helped by taking some of my weight (im a big lass!!) My hosp dont offer water birth or i would of opted for that, its supposed to give good relief as it increases your mobility. I tried hypnobirth- what a lot of crap!

[Bessie123]

I have been experiencing SPD (not as badly as you), but I went to see a really great physio at the Portland and she gave me exercises and advice on day-to-day things I wouldn't have thought of (such as ways of dressing/undressing, getting into bed etc) that help you avoid exacerbating the symptoms. She also gave me Bowen Therapy. I found her v helpful and my SPD is actually feeling better than it did before. It may not help you, but if you haven't explored that option already, it might be worth a try...

[jamila169]

I'm hypermobile so SPD is a given with me (pile pregnancy hormones on already stretchy joints and off you go) Mine was worsened by ending up with a C/S for my 1st so I've had homebirths for the last 2 and will be for the present one - I deliver on all fours, and don't allow anyone to 'help' me change position , i don't care if it takes me half an hour to move, at least i don't make things worse for myself!
for anyone who's had the scare tactics about pelvis giving way during labour, it's a very small risk, made smaller by keeping control of wht your legs are doing , my mum's went during my brother's birth, as the midwife forced her legs apart to get her into lithotomy
To anyone who's been offered a C/s for SPD - apart from the operative risks - SPD takes a lot longer to resolve and can destroy your mobility for a long while when you've got SPD - I couldn't get down my drive for 8 weeks and was still sleeping badly due to pain after 4 months
Lisa X

[jamila169]

'SPD takes a lot longer to resolve and can destroy your mobility for a long while when you've got SPD -'
Sorry, dd demanding cheese with menaces lol meant 'When you've had a C/S'
I could go on for ages about tricks to minimise the pain, but will keep to - Do your exercises, esp the pelvis floor ones, don't get up with out putting your support on, and -going upstairs on all fours - though really undignified and entertaining to the viewer is the most comfortable way
Lisa x

[loopyredangel]

hi jamila, i had severe SPD with my first, and am now pregnant again, i have been booked in for a csection, because the damage to my pelvis has continued for the past 2.5 years. I am really unsure about the birth whether it be natural or csection. I had to have an emergency csection first time around after 29.5 hours of DS not wanting to come out, so I know what is involved. I just really worry if I go naturally I will end up with more damage, especially as I am having another big baby (DS1 was 10lb 9.5oz). Plus I am not very fit, because of the severity of my SPD over the years, I have not been able to do any exercise, so don't feel I could cope with the labour, especially after the mini marathon last time. Just don't know what to do for the best, my midwife gave me a pep talk this week, telling me it would be the best thing for me and the baby if I had a csection, but my useless consultant whom I have since changed wasso nasty and planted a horrible seed in my head at 20 weeks and I have never been able to get it out ofmy head since. Sorry for rambling just don't know what to do for the best!

[Fleurey]

I'm new to mums net and it is really good reading about other women's experinces of SPD. I am 32 weeks and have had it since week 24. I have found some things very helpful in managing it: ie my mctimoney chiroprator helps to put my pelvis gently back in alignment, the pelvis partnership's helpline and booklets (great for day to day advice on what not to do, pain management and they even have a booklet to explain what it is to family and friends), others I have found less helpfull (a GP's advice was to sit on a cushion !). I asked for a physio referal and the physios gave me a tubigrip, exercises and crutches but I have to pay privately for the manual chiropractic therapy which I find most useful. Another GP was very understanding and signed me off sick a few weeks ago as well as refering me to an obstetrician but I heard her asking a midwife what to advise before she came in the room !!! They want to membrane sweep me at 39 weeks (which after careful thought decided that I did not want so I cancelled the appointment).

This is my first baby and I plan to have it at home naturally with a birthing pool in positions which I have looked into are the best for SPD. I felt that the obstetrician did try to scare me regarding home birth because I live a few miles away from the hospital.

I have got a doula for the birth who is fantastic and helps me have faith in myself. I have found that being at home and able to relax is the best place for my pain (even GP appointments are a challenge as once I manage to get there there is often a wait either standing or sitting on hard chairs or examination beds which I have found quite distressing). I know where is comfy and less painful in my house !

I am going to put what positions are not good to use in SPD in my birth plan. My doula talked about when women give birth on all fours there is a little bone that pops up to give baby more room through the pelvis so thanks Jamila for mentioning all fours- it may be a good position to aim for, for me if it feels right ! I have also read the book "stand and deliver" which has really helped me be positive about birthing even with the SPD.

After reading lots and looking at the facts and figures I have decided home birth is the plan (although if I do need to go to hospital for me or baby at the time I am open to that). I feel I am doing the right thing for me and baby so remain hopeful!

[jamila169]

You've got the best possible set up there fleury- that's exactly what i did with my 1st VBAC,and IMHO my doula should have been showered in diamonds!

to loopy - whoever planted the natural birth seed in your head was doing the right thing - if you've got spd the last thing you want is an epidural - that's the reason why I also have SI joint dysfunction and nerve damage to my lumbar spine - as well as a permanently clicky hip. The paralysis from the epidural meant that I could not tell what my legs and hips were doing, so my right hip kept partially dislocating as my leg kept trying to fall off the bed, the lying virtually straight on my sacrum caused my already dodgy back to go into spasm - some of it is down to hypermobility - but i've found from various places that SPD and hypermobility are bedfellows a lot of the time. If I were you I'd see how it goes and if, when the time comes you feel that you can't manage , then you've got the C/S option to fall back on - but you'd protect your pelvis far better by trying to avoid it!
lisa x

[JJ2ndTime]

So glad to have found this thread! I am new to mums net and after a depressing round of not getting much sleep three nights ago I started surfing around 4am in the morning and have already had some useful tips from different threads on this site.

I must confess that I felt as though I was faffing around for some time and even had to politely excuse myself from one thread (Due Dec 2007) not realising I coudl have just gone and find Due in Feb 2008 where at least I'd be sharing with mums to be who were on my timeline, so to speak!

Anyway, SPD. Oh I don't know! It has depressed me recently with my lack of ability to do all the things I did before, especially vigourous exercise and copious cycling but I am waiting for advice on the Exercising Whilst Pregnant thread.

That said it was very encouraging to read the last few months messages here and I will be an everyday visitor on this thread, so look forward to getting to know you all / both / etc . . .. JJ (20wks, 2nd child, 1st child 13years old!) xx

[Fleurey]

Thanks Jamila. It is encouraging to know that women on this thread have given birth naturally with SPD. I know that if I did not have the doula I would be much more anxious and uncertain about things. I will let you all know how it goes !

Regarding mobility - yes I find it very fustrating not being able to do much. Have worked out though that I can still at least get the shopping in and go into town - which means alot to me as most of the other household stuff falls onto my husband as well as finishing renovating the house in time for baby !

I don't know if this will be any use but thought I would share what I do to get out. I can still drive short distances which is a godsend because I live in a village with no amenities. I go to asda and sainsburys where you can get those 3 wheeler electric skooter things. Ikea have them as well I think.

I also use shopmobility for skooters in the city. In nottingham they are free of charge for anyone who declares they have a permanent or temporary disability (no need for an orange/blue badge) also you get up to 4 hours free city centre parking - great stuff. I also have crutches for shorter walks outside.

I use the disabled parking bays(but not if they insist on showing a blue badge as I cannot get one at the moment) or the child parking bays (I am carrying one after all!) so I only need walk a short distance to the skooters.

Retail parks are great as I can drive to the next shop up and then use crutches

When I feel able to get changed in the swimming baths on my own I go swimming using breast stroke with just my arms and borrow from the pool a figure eight shaped float which I put between my legs keeping them stable.

also I am going to investigate hiring a wheelchair so we can pop out for the day to to other places- think the red cross do them.

Does anyone else have any tips ?

[sarak54321]

Hi there

For SPD I really recommend chiropractic treatment from a practitioner experienced in pregnancy. It is so gentle and really effective. I know some people who have tried physio aswell but they then went onto chiro and found it much better for SPD as its a structural issue and chiro approach is perfect.

Its so awful to be in pain in pregnancy.
It's far too common and not enough people get told about this great treatment that will really help! I really want to spread the word as I have seen it do so much for so many pregnant women - me included - and is ultimately really beneficial for both you and your baby.

Here's a link to a practitioner's website just to give you an idea of their considered approach. SPD is something that an experienced pregnancy chiropractor deals with all the time.

Take a look at the articles too and the baby pages. All worth a read.

www.barnes-chiropractic.co.uk/pregnancy.html

Best of luck and here's to reducing the pain,

Love Sara x