what's SPD?

[MrsRV]

second pregnancy and so much more active having a toddler to look after this time too but feeling loads more aches & pains than last time.

in particular I kerp getting a random shooting pain in my left buttock thst go down my leg. it started off just feeling like I'd pulled a little muscle but now its really starting to get more painful and I'm aware of the little niggle most of the time even when not getting shooting pains.

plus my fanjo bones really ache some times to the point I struggle to take a big step or open my legs a bit wide.

AND, the stitch like pain in bump when I walk sometimes is nearly unbearable.

are these just normal aches & pains or should I mention to midwife...?

28 weeks btw.

[MrsRV]

apologies for typos - phone!!!!

[McFox]

Bloody painful! Sounds like it might be, its similar to what I'm experiencing anyway and I've been diagnosed with it - speak to your midwife, or check your notes as you might be able to self refer to a physio in your area.

[Manchesterhistorygirl]

The shooting pain I would have said sciatica, but because of your fanjo pain it could well be spd. Get it seen to.

[schmalex]

The aching fanjo bones definitely sounds like SPD (also known as PGP).

Stitch pain in bump is probably ligament pain.

I would mention it to your midwife as it's only going to get worse as your pregnancy progresses. They should be able to refer you to a physio and they will probably give you a belt that will help a lot.

Also try sleeping with a pillow between your knees and keeping knees clamped together when you roll over in bed. And try not to lift your toddler too much (easier said than done I know!)

I have a 2yo and I'm 34 weeks and have had SPD/PGP since 20 weeks. The support belt has really helped. Without it I think I'd be on crutches.

[tomatoplantproject]

Talk to your midwife.

It does sound like spd and if so you are much better controlling it early rather than hoping it will go away. I had aching pain in my pubic area but I also had really bad hip pain in both hips that worsened as my pregnancy went on.

You should minimise the amount of pressure you out on that area - so keep your legs together as much as possible - getting out of bed/ out of the car you need to swivel your knees round rather than a leg at a time. Heavy shopping trolleys are a killer as is walking on unsteady land (sand especially). Take steps slowly and a step at a time if you can. I can't think of any other practical tips but am sure others will be around.

Also do push to see a physio - i went to a group session where they handed out support belts and lots of tips.

Good luck - it will improve immensely once the baby is out.

[schmalex]

Also, meant to say you can end up on crutches or even be hospitalised in extreme cases, so make sure you take it seriously. Don't overdo it (as my DH keeps telling me...)

[Fairypants]

I agree with pp the fanjo pain sounds like classic SPD. It's worth bringing it up with mw ASAP as it will keep getting worse if left alone. I was on crutches for last month with dd1 and for 4 months with dd2 and really wish I'd got help at the earliest opportunity.
They can give you a belt which will either be great or no help at all. Physio referral is good as they can show you certain movements to avoid (basically anything that spreads your legs). Pilates can help, as can osteopathy. All of these things can slow down how quickly it gets worse but if it is SPD, it's about managing it until baby arrives unfortunately.

[MrsRV]

hmm... ok, thanks all, will speak to midwife when I see her Thursday. Wouldn't have mentioned it if you all hadn't said. it's manageable at the moment just a bit uncomfortable at times. but don't want it getting worse, crutches & toddler sounds like a nightmare!!!!!

[heather1]

Osteopath sessions really worked for me. It's worth a try.

[Mouldypineapple]

I agree, can be very painful. Mine started with a twinge at 28 weeks and got progressively worse. Gave up work as planned at 36 weeks and acquired my crutches at 37 weeks. Dd helpfully had to be evicted at 41+5. Those last few weeks were awful!
It did disappear at birth however I foolishly (in hindsight) went for a long walk, about 3-4 miles, when dd was about 8 weeks and it came back! Not nearly as bad as at the end but it took about 18 months for the nagging pain to go away.
Dd is now 4 and I have some back/leg problems which they think might be partly related to the spd.

So get it looked at by a physio ASAP and go gently on yourself!

[MrsRV]

oh god... sounds awful. I've started to suffer with (weirdly) shooting pains down one of my legs & bad lower back. Defo going to mention it to midwife now. Thought perhaos I just had it really easy last time & wondered whether I was making unnecessary fuss.

[sambababy]

Hi guys, I also have this and have been told not to do lots of things by my physio. I'm sorry if this seems like I am hijacking the thread, but does anyone know of any kind of cardio exercise we CAN do with spd? I've even been told no walking, and I'm useless at swimming besides breaststroke I didn't want to be completely unfit for the birth but I feel a bit limited.

[tomatoplantproject]

Honestly? I would do nothing but pregnancy yoga or Pilates with someone who knows about spd. I would completely reset your expectations - the last thing you want is to make it worse.

It took over a year for me to fully recover - the chiropractor said it was all related to long term hidden problems in the back/pelvic area that pregnancy tipped over the edge (if that makes sense). I was v fit running, spinning, lots of walking before getting pregnant so it wasn't that I was out of shape or didn't have good strength.

Since dd was born I got back in shape really gradually - mum&baby yoga for a while, lots of walking with the pram, and now I go to yoga or Pilates twice a week rather than doing high impact cardio which feels like the best way to strengthen up without doing any damage. Oh and the other advice I had was to do lots and lots of pelvic floors to strengthen all of the internal ligaments that hold your pelvis together.

This probably isn't what you want to hear but I honestly would do damage limitation now and recover later. Good luck!

[Fairypants]

If you can manage breaststroke with doggy paddle legs, that was recommended by my physio. Anything that hurts even slightly should be avoided at all costs otherwise you could be paying for that run by not being able to walk later.

[MrsRV]

ok so last night in bed was super painful. .. maybe I'm just more aware of it since I started this thread. thanks for all the advice. midwife tomorroe. I shall report back... please let it be ok, please let it be ok!!! :-(

[McFox]

What works for me in bed (comfort-wise!) is putting a duvet cover under the fitted sheet to keep it in place. It's folded up so that it supports me to under my bump and hips and legs are just on the bed - if that makes sense? I also stick another pillow under my bump,and one between my legs. Its not sexy, but it does really help. Good luck with your midwife.

[MrsRV]

Midwife is referring me to physio...! what will they actually do?

[Dumbledoresgirl]

When I was referred to physio, she just moved my legs around, trying to assess what sort of movement hurt me but it was a bit pointless as I found I could allow my legs to be moved by her, but walking was very painful. So in the end, she could not properly assess me but gave me crutches for the rest of my pg.

Re pain in bed: I found it agony rolling over in bed. My tip to you: wear slinky pjs or a nightie - you know the satiny ones? and put something slippery underneath your bottom sheet - I forget what I used, maybe a large polythene sheet? Anyway, it helps enormously - less friction so easier to turn.

[Dumbledoresgirl]

And yes I think to what McFox said about a pillow between the legs. I think I was advised to do that and found it helpful. It was a long time ago - 11 years.

Good luck with it. I was unfortunate to be someone who continued to suffer with SPD even after pregnancy, for many years, but it only occurred to me the other day that I am now much better than I was.

[NotBrittaPieHonest]

Do not allow yourslef to be fobbed off. My midwife and my doctor both told me it was a trapped nerve and to exercise through the pain, without examining me, despite it being textbook (i suspect because I have a long history of MH problems, they don't beleive anything I say and think I'm being over anxious)

Anyway, I am now sat crosslegged because it hurts too much to sit otherwise, just because I went "on top" last night and so put my legs apart. My youngest baby was 4 in November. I have only just found a physio who will actually try to realign my pelvis, and it is helping.

This is very rare, but don't let yourself be one of the rare ones.

[NotBrittaPieHonest]

Apparently mine was made worse by me having one leg shorter than the other. Worth bearing in mind if you do get worse - it wasn't one of the first things they checked.

[MrsRV]

umm... re the "on top" comment... I think its been really bad the day/night after doing the deed. should we stop? I was actually lying on my side with legs together though and we were like spoons so not sure why it would have affected me more?? not sure I can bring myself to ask the physio about shagging!!!!

[NotBrittaPieHonest]

It's ok, they have heard it all before.

Is it maybe the... impact? If it's at an angle it can cause problems.

I find that I can really go at it if the load is distributed properly - use cushions to get your heights right so he is not going in at an angle (on your sides it depends on how big each of your hips are) Doggy style is good too.

[McFox]

My physio suggested doggy style - unprompted Straddling is just not on at the moment!

[sambababy]

Ouch, I also really suffered the night/day after dtd on top! V bad idea.

I returned to swimming this week, just twice, and found back crawl to be the best. I tried the breaststroke with crawl legs, but it's just so odd! It's like you work really hard but go nowhere. So far, so good, no repercussions, but my spd is fairly mild I would say.