8 months postnatal and still suffering from SPD

[woollywobbles]

I had my first baby 8 months ago. I got chronic SPD with 3 months left in my pregnancy. The hospital wouldn't help with a belt or physio.

I had an MRI that showed huge stretching and very bad inflammation in a band around the whole pelvic area. A trip to an osteopath gave temporary relief. I am now attending physio, an acupuncturist and physio led pilates but finding the going is slow and i am nowhere near where i would like to be.

I am told that 20% suffer from SPD in pregnancy and of those only 7% continue to suffer 6 months after birth.

Is anyone else out there suffering for this long? Does it get better? I really want to have another baby but am terrified of making things worse.

Ultimately i am very down about this. I am worn out with the pain and feel very isolated as i can't walk very far so find getting out of the house difficult. Also so many friends have had babies and no one has had this problem so nobody can empathise.

Any comments would be appreciated.

[IndigoBarbie]

You have my sympathies, I had it early on in my first pregnancy and after emcs, 1 year of nhs Physio-I had found myself in a position to still be in a huge amount of pain and very limited mobility. I decided to rest as much as I could and realised that this helped, little by little-but I was literally watching my every move. I could not lie on my side for a very long time and was sleeping in an upright position supported by cushions at that point too. I found a Rolfing practitioner and after my first session I could feel pain relief it was amazing. I am 3.4 years on from giving birth and although I'm a lot stronger-it's been a long road.
At 8 months after my baby, I still had to watch every single step I took and I was in mega pain too. I know this isn't helpful but please please be aware of your limits-if you can see an ortho surgeon to find out if you can have a stork X-ray (I didn't get this just a normal one and they wanted to pin and plate me) if you can google for Julie tupler tummy exercises these really helped strengthen my back and tummy. When my ds was around 2.5, I was able to think about Pilates and I couldn't do all the moves, in fact I found some aggravated me-but the ones I can do, actually help. Best of luck xx

[IndigoBarbie]

Ps, for some it does get better. It is a long recovery and as I recall I still had a giant ribcage at 8mths post due to still being full of hormones. Do not push yourself for anyone, only do what you can, and no more. This is how I achieved the best from my recovery.....I yearn to run again, but for now just being able to walk is such a giant blessing. With love xxx

[woollywobbles]

Thank you so much for your reply, it means a lot to hear from someone who understands the pain and fruatration of it. I also found pilates too sore but i will look up those exercises and your other recommendations. I know rest is important, unfortunately finding the time with no family about and a small baby the chance to get it is limited! Thanks again. I feel another surge of motivation after reading your reply x

[woollywobbles]

Got an appointment with a rolfing practitioner in a month. Hoping it works! Thanks for the tip.

[IndigoBarbie]

Oh I hope they help you - if you ever want to chat or ask any questions please PM me, I can sometimes be slow at responding, but I will get them.
I know what you are saying about the rest etc, but even if it means that you don't use the stairs much one day (and when you do, use one foot up, then the other on the same step, then the next step up etc) xx

[MayTheOddsBeEverInYourFavour]

Hi woolly I'm so sorry you're suffering

It sounds like you're doing all the right things, but I would really emphasise rest rest and more rest. Also adequate pain relief is really important

Unfortunately I have had this for years now and it looks like it might be perminent (mine is very severe though and requires a wheelchair most of the time) but I am in a very very unusual position and for most people it does get better slowly but surely

[cassell]

I had it quite bad in both pgs, with ds1 it went away straight after birth, with ds2 it improved but it's been a lot more gradual. Now (ds2 is 12 mths) I'm generally fine but I get pain if I sleep in one position too long and still need to careful how I lift things/move sometimes.

Are you still bf? I am and my osteo & Physio said that the relaxin hormone remains in your body until several months after you stop so your body can't fully recover until that point.

I find Pilates v useful but certainly in the early months needed the teacher to adapt some of the exercises for me. Improving core strength is definitely important I think.

Good luck - and hope your appointment helps. I've not tried that.

Also I would just say - i was worried about 2nd pg but although it started earlier I didn't get any worse than I had the first time because I knew how to manage it better and insisted on work getting me a suitable chair (an exercise ball one it was brilliant), did regular Physio, didn't try to walk lots etc.

[LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance]

www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk/

Very helpful site/organisation.
Can I ask whether you are currently breastfeeding? I was told to stop at 6 months to help my SPD.

[LetsFaceTheMusicAndDance]

Oops x post