SPD - anyone else joining me on the birthing ball?

[elgoldenflower]

Hello out there, was looking for a support thread for those of us unlucky enough to have developed SPD and couldn't find a current one.

I'm 19 weeks (EDD 26.10.11) and have been aware of pelvic pain since conception (v mild at first) but it's steadily getting worse. I now can't walk more than about 30 yds without being sofa/birthing ball - bound for the evening.

My physio is fitting me with crutches on Monday as I can't avoid a bit of walking for my work (I run drama workshops all over the place so have to travel to them and I don't drive).

So far cycling's wonderful but I'm not aloud to use my bike like a mobility scooter as far as I know so cycling usually involves a bit of walking too.

Grr just wanted to be able to rant without annoying my v supportive antenatal thread.

[MotherPanda]

Hello - poor you!

my doctor has booked me in for some physio, and did mumble if i knew about SPD but i'm not sure if i've actually been diagnosed or not. I'm guessing so, as he wouldn't have sent me off for physio otherwise...

I do have a birthing ball in my room though. I'll sit and bounce up and down and swivel about, and my DH will laugh at me.

I really shouldn't spend so much time sat on mumsnet, as this makes my hips very sore...

Is this going to make giving birth much harder? Am 33 weeks now and getting a bit scared of THE BIRTH.

[KateeHasABunInHerOven]

Mine is on and off (I think I have benefited from only being sat at my office desk two days this week) but gets worse with walking, stairs etc. I too find myself on the gym ball - seriously thinking about getting one for work, however weird it looks as my chair does nothing for my back! Saw the doc this week and have been referred to physio, so just awaiting my appointment. I'm 20+5, so not far ahead of you elgolden!

[harassedinherpants]

I had it with dd and am now 10+4 and keep waiting for those initial twinges!!

Can I recommend a chiropractor? They're brilliant, and I'm seeing mine regularly at the moment as was left with some hip problems after the spd vanished. I'm hoping this will help keep it at bay this time!

[harassedinherpants]

MotherPanda I totally forgot about the spd once in labour!!

[MainlyMaynie]

I had a gym ball for work! I switched between it and my chair. I'm on maternity leave now and sit on one to watch TV in the evenings.

motherpanda, I've been told that by using the right positions there is no reason that it should have a negative impact on the birth. In some cases apparently it even makes the second stage shorter, as everything moves apart more easily. My baby started to engage very early and at 36+5 is 2/5 palpable - apparently early engagement is also a bit more common with SPD.

elgoldenflower, I have crutches too. They do help, but my mobility is still fairly limited. I've also had problems since early on, though not as early as conception!

[MotherPanda]

MainlyMaynie - That's good to hear. I suppose it's also just making sure I stay mobile during labour -though i'm hoping for a soothing water birth.

poor those of you in crutches

[elgoldenflower]

Hello all

Good to know there are people out there who understand. I'd also like a water birth although I'll have to be pretty rested to be able to get in and out easily.

Mainly does early engagement mean you're more likely to be early rather than overdue? Love the thought of SPD having the benefit of a slightly quicker second stage!

[Velvetcu]

Hellooo

I'm 19+3 and I got my crutches and support belt on Wednesday. I'm soooo glad someone started this thread :) I have pgp as opposed to spd but it's all similar from what I can make out - mine is down the middle of the back of my pelvis (I broke my coccyx 10 yrs ago and that's really painful right now) and in my hips.

I feel pretty pathetic not being and to walk/sit/sleep/do anything!

Does the birthing ball help? I'm going to phone an osteopath in a minute too since the physio just told me some exercises to do, gave me crutches and a sexy tubigrip and told me to buy a support belt.

[MotherPanda]

Birthing balls are WONDERFUL! Get one.

[elgoldenflower]

I'm fortunate and if I rest then the pain is mild but the weather is gorgeous and I'd love nothing more than to go for a big long walk.

I cycled up to the next village yesterday to sit by the river in the shade of tree and that was ok but the tiny amount of walking I did (50yds) and sitting in a hard surface made me limpy when I got home.

What's annoyed me and pre-emptively annoying is when this began and I started waddling at 18 weeks. People laugh at me thinking I'm hamming it up - strange attitudes to pregnant women!

Sorry for the rant but wanted to keep this bumped and find out how other people are coping and what irritates them the most?

[Velvetcu]

I'm waddling too and I hate it! I've been getting funny looks as well

[MainlyMaynie]

My physio told me that the waddling is a classic sign and they use it to diagnose SPD/PGP as soon as someone walks in the door! I pretty much walk like a very slow penguin now. People definitely find it amusing, I suspect it does look funny!

elgoldenflower, I haven't been able to find any studies on whether early engagement = earlier labour, but lots of anecdotal stuff suggests not! I really can't imagine cycling at the minute, my whole pelvis hurts just thinking about it. Floating in the pool is good for me though. I find it amazing how little it takes to irritate it, even when I think I'm having a good day.

velvetcu, mine is PGP too I just use SPD as more people recognise it. Mine too started off around a coccyx injury, then sacro-illiac joint and now I have the 'class' symphis pubis pain. SI was the worst pain, but the most easily treated with physio. Unfortunately now the baby is deeply engaged when he wriggles it sometimes causes shooting pains in my coccyx as well as more pubic discomfort. Worth it to know he's getting into a good position though!

[elgoldenflower]

I haven't been diagnosed formally with either SPD or PGP but physios are in agreement that I have an unstable pelvis. The bee sting feeling in the groin as well as the 'my leg's tearing off' when it's at it's worst is apparently evidence of this. I'm fortunate though as so far there's no back pain, just hips, groin and buttocks.

I'm not very good at slowing down, I really want to pop to the shops, home is going to get very boring if I'm stuck here. Goodness me I can whinge and I don't even have it that badly... yet... apart from the not allowed to walk bit. Apologies for my moaning!

[witches]

32weeks here and basically been told they cant do anything! If u do too much u will b sore if you dont do anything u will b sore... So do a medium amount! Cant go walking or wear heels without wanting to die next day. I am worst at night trying to get up in night is not fun!

[theonlyhb2]

29+5 and I got a ball today! The past week it feel like someone has dislocated my left hip and shoved it roughly back into place. Best go back to my physio again as this is different from the "oh bugger I have put the bottom of my back out again".

[neverlookback]

hi i have spd this is the 2nd time and i had no treatment in my last pg but thsi time i have been seeing the antenatel physio, ive been to a pilates class and a gym ball class to strenghen the core muscles which is supposed to reduce the symptoms and ive also had 2 sessions of acupunture with has been really good, its mainly my left hip and accross bottom of my back so they put 1 needle directly into the pubic bone for 30 sec, it does really hurt but then it does give days of relief, then for the back 4 needles into my pelvis through my bum cheeks and i lie there for half an hour! it a bit embarressing but its worth it. I totally forgot it during labour but it did carry on after it i went for a long walk so im determined to get rid of it for good after this one! I sleep with a slim pillow between my knees which helps too.

[elgoldenflower]

neverlookback is the acupuncture and pilates a private thing or is it offered on the NHS where you are?

I love walking, bit of a hiker so to possibly not be able to enjoy long walks in the future is quite an upsetting thought :(

I got all upset and cried hysterically on DP last night about the thought of being virtually housebound and dependent on him - combination of pg hormones and the reality of this sinking in. I'm usually very independent and control freak like to be in control of things, we're moving soon and the thought of having to let/make DP do everything brings me out in a cold sweat.

[ohanotherone]

I had SPD from 26 weeks last time and have it this time I'm 31 or 32 weeks now. This time I do less (last time I walked miles and kayaked) and doing less definately helps so I'm doing alot less, I will worry about wobbly thighs etc. later. Also the physio has given me tubigrip to wear around pelvis which is lovely and definately helps. The birth last time was great and pain free without drugs, such a relief to get the weight off the pelvis when the waters broke so I am hoping that this time will be similar. Using the birthing ball to lean over with knees not more than hip width apart is nice too!! Sex from behind with thighs closed is also the only way. Mainly I think it's all about keeping your legs together!!!!

[ohanotherone]

It goes fairly quickly after the birth aswell so you'll be back hiking if the LO will let you !

[MainlyMaynie]

elgoldenflower, it is difficult adjusting to being more dependent on other people. Once you get a bit further on and it becomes obvious how much resting helps, it will be a bit easier. I just tell myself it's only for about 20 weeks (which is when I really HAD to slow down) and it will soon pass. I am looking forward to lots of simple things like being able to go to the shops easily. I'd say accept all offers of help, my family and friends have been brilliant at making sure I don't do too much.

witches I find turning over at night is the worst.

[neverlookback]

i get the acupuncture free through nhs ante natal physio dept but i must be in a lucky area, they do offer it at the local childrens centre for £5 a session which was going to be my 2nd option, having said that i had it on wed but the pain was back by Sat so its not last as long as they reackon, they said i should get 7 days relief, i have dd who i 5.5 and ds who is 2.5 and 2 dogs, so running around and cleaning up after this lot is really aggrevating it, i made dp hoover today and said he had better get used to it, i cant keep on doing absoloutly everything in the house like i usually do!!

[elgoldenflower]

I'm fortunate as this will be my first LO and DP is being amazing, hoovering, washing up etc so I am able to rest a lot which is already alleviating it.

Work will be the challenge for me, I've been off this week when the pain's really developed so we'll see what a working week creates. Must hang on to the fact that I only have 6 weeks of FT work left then down to 1 day per week.

[ohanotherone]

I think you will find it eases when you can rest more!!!

[domesticslattern]

For those of you finding it difficult to roll over in bed, one tip is to get out of bed and then back in with your head at the foot of the bed. Sounds odd and risks your DH clutching your ankles in his sleep, but worked for me. As did sleeping on lots of beach towels - softer= comfier. Didn't stop that bloody awful cracking noise from my pelvis when I moved though.

[Fleecy]

elgoldenflower another October lady here - am 22wks today with DC3 and have had this every time. The bad news is that the physio has said it's hormonal so she can't fix it as such although she has given advice on minimising it. The good news is that it will pretty much disappear as soon as the baby arrives - yay!

I agree turning over in bed at night is the worst. When you wake up with a full bladder and know you have to get out of bed but you have to psyche yourself up to move.

Will be watching this thread for tips...

Am trying not to push the buggy, use the hoover (gutted ), push a shopping trolley, lift the DC etc but walking is already starting to be painful. I have a great support belt but am thinking of getting crutches.