Anyone get SPD agreed as a Medical Reason for a planned CS?

[QTPie]

Ok, it is early days (24 weeks), but SPD hit me (hard) a couple of weeks ago and - at this stage - doesn't look great...

I have had the SPD diagnosed by the GP, am awaiting an NHS Physio Referral, have had two private Chiropractic sessions (still early days, I know...) and find no relief from support belt type things (they actually seem to make it feel worse).

My SPD seems fairly unusual because it seems to have cardiovascular side effects: the fatigue, from walking/stairs, spreads down my legs, but also up into my heart, lungs and head. Within 200 yards of flat walking my legs wont move, my heart is pounding, I am breathing heavily, I feel hot and dizzy and I have "pins and needles" in my brain (for want of a better description).

Until 3 weeks ago, I was going to the gym 3/4 times a week and was fit and active! I started pregnancy 9st 11lbs and am now 10st 4lbs (so not exactly overweight and I haven't experienced a massive weight gain, so far, this pregnancy). I am very worried what will happen in the remaining 4+ months left of this pregnancy - and a lot more growth and probably weight to gain (only making it harder to keep mobile). My dream of an "active birth" seems to be vanishing out of a window...

Fortunately, maybe, I have already signed up for private maternity care (Shared Care at John and Lizzies). I have a MW appointment this Friday and will have a Consultant appointment four weeks tomorrow.

For the first time, this weekend, I have begun reading around and thinking about a CS: maybe a couple of weeks early (at 38 weeks - if advisable) and to reduce the stress and strain on an already battered and distressed pelvis... I know this (the "fors and againsts") is a conversation for my Consultant and not for here... BUT I am wondering if anyone else has had a planned CS for SPD and had it agreed as "for medical reasons"?

We do have BUPA which will cover SOME of the costs of a planned CS "for medical reasons". Obviously we have already decided on private maternity (and accepted all of the costs involved): if we have to increase what we pay (for an elective CS), then so be it. However, if SPD is considered "medical reason" for a planned CS, then that sounds like a bonus.

So has anyone had any experience of this?

Thanks
QT

[rolledhedgehog]

I was talking to a woman last week who had a c-section form SPD but it was severe, she was in a wheelchair.

'My SPD seems fairly unusual because it seems to have cardiovascular side effects: the fatigue, from walking/stairs, spreads down my legs, but also up into my heart, lungs and head. Within 200 yards of flat walking my legs wont move, my heart is pounding, I am breathing heavily, I feel hot and dizzy and I have "pins and needles" in my brain (for want of a better description). '

Have you discussed this specifically with a doctor as this does not sound like SPD to me and sounds concerning.

[shootfromthehip]

I couldn't get my Consultant to give me a planned C-Section because of my SPD (which, like yours, was pretty bad) despite having had an EMCS. That said, it was the NHS and they were NOT keen to give me another section.

By the way, it does go almost immediately though even now (nearly 3 yrs on) my pelvis makes funny noises when I stand up and I have back problems. I did however gain a stupid amount of weight due to the lack of mobility and I don't think it helped at all.

Good luck

[NorbertDentressangle]

I know someone who managed to get an agreed CS due to SPD. She did however have to go to a hospital other than our nearest, most obvious one. I think she found that they agreed to it without too much trouble though.

I also had SPD but a CS was never mentioned other than "if and when necessary" and it wasn't something I wanted so I didn't push for it IYSWIM

[LilRedWG]

I had a severe SPD (was in a wheelchair at end) and it was mentioned to me pretty early on that I may require an elective CS, which I had at 38 weeks as I could not have carried my DD any longer.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask.

[LilRedWG]

I think that a lot of it depends on your consultant.

[QTPie]

I am very worried that I MAY be in a wheelchair towards the end of the pregnancy... Hard to say... I am beginning to think about crutches now. I am really not big or heavy yet - so I am very concerned at how this is likely to develop...

The Chiropractor believes that the "cardio-vacular" symptoms (which came on at exactly the same time as the SPD) are most likely being caused by the weakened ligaments allowing the weight to press on the blood supply to my legs (hence the fatigue in the legs and my heart/lungs going into overdrive... the head then suffering because my cardiovascular system trying so hard to supply my legs/pelvis). The chest/head thing only noticeably started on Friday (the leg fatigue has been around since the start of the SPD - about 2.5 weeks). Other than when the SPD kicks in (i.e. walking about 200 yards) I am very healthy. Iron levels good, blood pressure on the low side (but not worrying so) etc.

Plan to bring it up with the MW this Friday. Umming and Arrring about bringing forward the 28 week Consultant appointment. Think it is "beyond the knowledge" of the GPs here... To be honest - with the SPD and a recent slight bleed - I have very little faith in the NHS here: either you are miscarrying (or "labouring prematurely") or they don't want to know: little else seems to concern them...

Shootfromthhip, sorry to hear about that. I suppose that I have the option of "having one if I want one" (because of going privately), the issue is more if I can get BUPA to pay for it. Although what an NHS Consultant consider a medical reason MAY be similar to what BUPA would consider... (so you tale may be an indication...).

Am glad that you had a reasonably good and quick recovery - I am PRAYING for the same. I have always been fit and active and this whole thing is soul destroying... I am trying, desperately, not to put on a stupid amount of weight (through lack of mobility) too: I agree, it really can't make life easy afterwards... .

QT

[QTPie]

Thanks.

I am already signed up for a hospital well away from home (2 hours drive: I live in Bath, private hospital in London). This sounds nutty, but the MIL has a house 200 yards from the hospital: we are making it up to London ok for the antenatal care and the plan has been to move into the MIL's house 4 weeks before I am due.

I have only met my Consultant once before, but she seems great: it will be interesting to see what she says - I will raise it with her (I am a very practical person who likes to explore all of the options...). Since we are private, I can't imagine NOT being allowed one (since many people have them for much more mundane reasons - like "I have a big business trip coming up"...), but it will be interesting to see what she thinks, how she supports the idea and whether it can be argued (for insurance purposes) that it is a sufficiently "medical reason" for having one.

A CS definitely wont be an option that I consider lightly - it wasn't the plan at all (although husband might be more comfortable with the idea than a natural birth...)! But if it does have some benefits (and save me an extra 2/4 weeks of considerable pain), then it may be very worth considering....

LilRedWG, how long - after the elective CS - did your SPD start to be relieved? How are you now?

QT

[LilRedWG]

QT - my symptoms started at about the same time as yours and I was using crutches within a couple of weeks. Within weeks I could not move without them. My midwife advised me to give up work at 26 weeks but I stupidly carried on until 34 weeks (wouldn't do that again).

Unfortunately my symptoms did not resolve after birth and I didn't totally give up using crutches until DD was nine months old. The biggest help for me was chiropractic treatment, combined with physio. DD is now 3.5 and I still feel pain/discomfort ever month prior to my period, but it isn't that bad really.

I hope this hasn't scared you too much. I will say that although it is an awful condition - it is so worth it to have my DD and it does often resolve itself immediately after birth, so don't panic yet.

Good luck.

[QTPie]

Thanks LilRedWG, much appreciated.

Fortunately I only do bits and pieces for my husband's company and that allows me a LOT of flexibility regarding how much I work, working hours, where I work etc. So that will be one less issue. To be honest, I would see working a regaular job as a struggle, even now. So frustrating!

I am still considering the crutches... where did you get them from? Your GP, the MW, the physio or the hospital?

I have had two chiropractic sessions (although I realise it takes a little time to "realise the benefit") and am awaiting an NHS Physio appointment... I will see what else the private MW and the Consultant can suggest: I definitely want to be as constructive as possible.

I am so sorry that you are still suffering (especially, even now, around the time of your period - not a wlecome added discomfort at that time of the month I would imagine...). I am praying that I am lucky and it resolves itself quickly... goodness only knows, though.

I very much look forward to meeting my DS - I just so wish that his life started with a "happier pregnancy"... I REALLY wanted to love pregnancy: I had planned a very fit and active pregnancy (oh well, almost got 22 weeks of it fit and active...) and an active birth. I love him very much, but pregnancy is not shining in my mind at the moment...

QT

[LilRedWG]

It's strange, people say to me that I must have hated pregnancy and that it was so hard for me, which it was BUT I absolutely loved being pregnant. Try and focus on that and put the rest down as symptoms.

[LilRedWG]

Crutches came from physio and the wheelchair on loan from the Red Cross for a donation.

[QTPie]

Yes, agreed, can't say that I "hate" pregnancy, but finding it so frustrating...

A friend said today that once she got to 24 weeks, that "she would have been happy for pregnancy to last another 3 years"... I definitely can't empathise with that...

I am trying to focus on what I can do and what needs to be done. I am going to the Baby Show at Earls Court on Saturday - will have to have a VERY strategic plan of attack for that....

QT

[Mummy2day]

I too had an elective section without too much fuss due to severe SPD. I hadn't felt as great as i did the very next day even after a section that horrific pelvic pain had gone, i am so glad i made that decision!!!!!

[KatyS36]

I've had pelvic girdle pain (back more than front) since 24 weeks, have been on crutches since 32 weeks and now (38+3)use a wheelchair for distances over 100m.

i found the NHS physios to be awful, but have had a brilliant private physio who is a muscular skeleto specialist who also knew a lot about pregnancy.

I've spent about £150 total on 4 sessions and it's the best money I've ever spent. (I only go if/when it gets worse and they check up on me and we agree a new management strategy)

They have taken me very heavily down the management route, and have essentially managed to keep my mind and body intact enough to get through it. I'm expecting a natural labour and they think I will make a full recovery. Like you I was very fit beforehand and priviledged enough to have the support (and determination) in place to manage it very carefully.

good luck