In agony, chasing toddler is impossible and I'm only 28weeks

[BumpPower]

Arg! I am in agony with my hip! I went to the Gp at around 20weeks with bad hip pain, got referral to physico at 25ish weeks. By then the pain had eased and it was bearable given lots of do's don'ts and exercises. Now however the other hip has joined in and it's agony. I can't move with any sort of ease, keep catching it and it's such your breath/try not to swear agony. I can't walk more than 5metres without pain. I've emailed the physio but I'm not sure there is anything that she could do. I am on hols at the moment but have 6 weeks left at work (as an sen primary teacher - not a sit down job!). Just feeling really panicky about money. Can't afford to go on maternity too early. Anyone else had experience of this? Kind employers who make allowances for a more sit down role? If one more person tells me about a friend of a friend who ended up on crutches I will scream (however if you gave actual experience I'd love to hear what happened)

[MrsBartlettforthewin]

Oh the joy of SPD I'm suffering badly from it this time round. My work were great - changed my time table so I had all my classes in one room and sorted out a parking place for me and understood that my teaching was going to be happening from a sitting position. I am on crutches and have been for about 8 weeks (am now 32 weeks pg) I have felt a right wally getting around my classroom on them but they have really helped plus the kids have been great because they are aware that I'm clearly not my normal self.
I'm not going back to work in January. Will be starting mat earlier then I wanted but didn't want to mess my exam classes around to much. Get your doctor to sign you off sick if you need it - they can't trigger your mat leave any earlier then 36 weeks I believe if it is pregnancy related illness (check the burgundy book for the exact details for this.

Talk to health and safety SLT, you can expect reasonable adjustments to be made and they should be making them. The last two weeks of me being in work before Christmas they had my replacement in as well so that I had an extra set of hands in all my lessons not just the ones that had LSA with pupils in.

Hope this is some help and your work are supportive.

[Shadow1986]

My advice would be to see a private chiropractor! Cannot recommend it enough.

My first pregnancy was absolute agony, I had the exact pain you describe and could barely walk. It was miserable. GP referred me to physio which was useless. Pain was all in my hips. Hurt to lay down, hurt to walk, stand, even hoovering left me unable to walk afterwards!

Currently 16 weeks with my second pregnancy and the pain started up early again so I saw a private chiropractor (one who deals with pregnant ladies) she diagnosed a twisted pelvis and after two sessions I'm at least 60% better. It was £45 for first consultation and session and £35 after so in my opinion so worth it! Good luck!!

[amarmai]

maternity stores sell a support 'belt' that helps with this,op. Not sure of the name but i got one to restrict painful hip movement from arthritis. Also wondered if a girdle wd do the trick. I used to go around my classroom in a wheelie office chair when pain was too much for being on my feet. I reorganised the furniture to give me access to the different areas. It worked great.

[Daysleeper1985]

I also worked in SEN with SPD last pregnancy so my deepest sympathy, only solution was to come off work. I've SPD again with this pregnancy, but working from home has completely transformed it, illustrating to me just how aggravating classroom work had been in the past.

[BumpPower]

Thank you ladies, some great advice. I think I'll see the GP again before I go back to school. I will have my replacement in the classroom from first day back which is great but at this level it's all about knowing the kids so she really will need a lot of guidance plus they are putting her in in leiu of replacing a TA who has left so will be very short staffed... Sorry worrying about school when I know I need to worry more about baby!!
Good to hear that crutches aren't an end of the world situation and that some school do.make allowances. I think my school will be very nice about it but ultimately my role is very mobile and if I can't get around then there is a good argument I can't do the job - they are not children who could respond to stop move away from x y z they need physical prompts and guidance...

[MrsBartlettforthewin]

I know what you mean about the worrying about school. My DH had to really argue with me to get me to agree with him that I should finish early as I was stressing so much about how it would effect the kids and their exams etc. But once I made the choice to finish sooner it was like a really weight lifted iyswim.

Did your school do a risk assessment when you first told them you were pregnant? They should have and you can request another one now that things have changed.

My physio did recommend a belt but said it would only be really useful if I was up on my feet - which I haven't been (joys of teaching secondary can get away with a lot of teaching from sitting which I understand isn't going to work for you) ask your physio about one next time you see them. Mine also gave me a huge tub grip which has helped though it does make me really hot and itchy after a while.

I second the PP comment about moving furniture around in the classroom to make it easier for you to get around, again my work was great about this. I had a quick meeting with the site manage and the IT guy so that they could rearrange furniture and cabling for the computer and OHP for me. DO NOT move the furniture yourself.

[waxweasel]

I would pay to see an osteopath privately. In London it's about £30-40 a session. I had SPD really badly last pregnancy and was having weekly (private - you get barely anything on NHS) physio and doing pilates, and it helped a bit but I was still in agony. I got it postnatally and gave up on the physio as it wasnt shifting it, saw an osteo instead and it was fixed in a couple of sessions. I'm now 25 weeks pg again and have had SPD since 20 weeks, but am seeing an osteo and am practically pain free - doing so much better than at the same point last time round.

[waxweasel]

Oh and I'm only seeing the osteo about every 4-5 weeks

[BumpPower]

Thanks waxweasel will look into it.

[Clarella]

I'm an Sen teacher I know what you mean!

I ended up being signed off in pregnancy due to ill health and a friend was due to bad spd. I know it feels bad but it's best to look after you and baby.

You could ask to be referred to OC health, I used to be afraid of them for some reason but I found their input invaluable as I was not well enough to work. And their advice can help to make changes at work.

[Clarella]

www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk

There could be some advice here that might help.

I found a belt helpful and a very good sports physio which I found through my school's insurance.

Find out if school has signed up to any insurance as you can get 5 physio sessions free, and more if they deem it necessary. I've been granted 3 rounds in this year due to disabling joint issues high are slowly improving.

[BumpPower]

Thanks clarella. Saw physio today and she gave me crutches and told me to think seriously about taking co-codemol to get a good night's sleep and taking sick leave from work...
Crutches are a bit of a game changer for work. I have some rather volatile cherubs and it's a lock away the Scissors and projectiles kind of classroom so crutches just wouldn't be safe. Hoping work will be keen to work with me on some sort of in part time planning and prepping role...
As for the drugs will try ice packs and paracetamol before I look at anything stronger. It's not like the drugs will make the hip better....

[waxweasel]

I don't know - I think the drugs might help as if you're in pain, you tense up and overuse other parts of your spine/pelvis to compensate for the bits that are painful, and that can make the strain worse. Equally if you're not sleeping then I find the pain gets worse as it's like the muscles and ligaments aren't getting chance to recover overnight. But I'm not a medical professional so I don't really know!

I would seriously think about just getting signed off. Up to 36 weeks you would just be off sick, it wouldnt trigger your mat leave starting (after 36 weeks it does). Pregnancy related sick leave also doesnt count on your sickness absence record.

[Clarella]

I know the type of class you describe well.

I agree with the above poster about being signed off sick - it's sick leave till 36 weeks. This happened with me for other reasons.

Alternatively - I was off due to slapped cheek so I wasn't ill but had to be quarantined. So there was talk of a set up where I worked else where remotely. You could potentially be put in a planning role etc.

However, if you're at the crutches point I do wonder if the school would prefer to claim the insurance on you and get cover. When you are on sick leave they get insurance money to employ staff.

My friend was in a similar situation, and was being physically attacked in the classroom. Baby actually threatened. Spd hit and she was signed off . There were issues at the end of pregnancy and baby came early. I'd personally take as much care of yourself as possible.

[BumpPower]

Thanks ladies it is good to hear from people who understand. Just got off the phone with my father - really wish Mum wouldn't pass the phone to him when he has had a few - and got a long lecture on how I wasn't prioritising the new baby and I have bad hips from running round after my toddler, shouldn't go back to work rah rah rah. Not very helpful or supportive statements.
Will spend tomorrow working out some planning that the new teacher can pick up and run with and start preparing myself for not being there...

[TheFairyCaravan]

I don't always give my two penneth on SPD threads, but I think it's important here.

I'm going into my 20th year of severe SPD, sacroiliac joint dysfunction and hip pain. I've had 6 major pelvic operations and am unable to walk unaided. I can't drive and outside the house I use a wheelchair. I was on crutches from 19 weeks and bed bound in a wheelchair from 26 weeks and had DS2 at 37 weeks.

You need to listen to your body and your physio. They have given you the crutches for a reason. You need to take the pressure off your pelvis. Running after a toddler is not an option. I'm a RAF wife, had a 20 month old and no support. DS1 and I lived in my bedroom. We had no choice.

Ice packs and paracetamol are great, but you don't get any prizes for not taking the codeine and believe me, there will be a time when you are desperate for it.

I would look into some sessions with an osteopath or chiropractor. They might or might not be able to help, but it's not a magic cure and your pelvis will still be quite mobile. The belts, and tubi grips, that are sold in Mothercare etc are useless, you need a Serola belt. They are more expensive but they are much better.

Look into buying a long bolster type pillow so you can sleep on your side with it under you bump and between your knees. I bought 2 really good quality ones in the Dunelm sale yesterday, they were £15.99 each. Satin sheets and pyjamas are good because they make it easier to turn in bed. If you don't want satin sheets, a Snoozle is a really good investment. I wouldn't be without mine.

Go up the stairs one step at a time. No pushing pushchairs or supermarket trolleys, definitely no hoovering. You need to do as little as possible. Driving might well become too painful. We you get in the car put your bottom on the seat swing your legs in together. Sit down to put knickers, tights, trousers on. Rest as much as you can.

Think seriously about not going back to work until after the baby is born, honestly. I know the financial side is difficult but you have to think about you and the long term.

Good luck, I know it's not easy.

[Clarella]

Fairy has written an excellent post.

I'd forgotten the name of my belt but it was serola, bought from physio. I didn't realise how good they were but that one is very good.

I would take things seriously. My si issues have been caused mainly as I had a section and I have hypermobility syndrome.

You have got quite 'far' in your pregnancy, don't feel bad. I was signed off from 9-22 weeks and then again from 28 till the end!

[BumpPower]

Thanks. That was a very good post Fairy. Sometimes it is easier to hear truths from mumsnet than family!!
I have a belt now from the physio - it is so amazingly basic just strapping the silly hips together. I can certainly feel more pain once it is off so must be helping.
The work issue is coming together in my mind a lot more, I can't work safely and will make myself miserable trying so I need to go on sick leave....

[MrsBartlettforthewin]

Glad to read that you're starting to think about yourself - it really is tough letting go when you teach, especially when you clearly teach such high needs but they will be okay.
Are you able to keep your toddler in childcare once you come off work at least until the baby is born? This my plan with DS as I really think having proper time to rest with out a toddler wanting my attention will help. He only goes two days a week but two days of complete rest hopefully will do something. 6 weeks to go for me though really hoping Ds2 comes a little bit early, 37 weeks would be great.

[OhBigHairyBollocks]

i am at the end of my pregnancy (elcs on tuesday) and I have suffered with the most horrendous SPD from 8 wks.
Do go to your GP and ask for co-codomol pronto- I was given the 30/500mg tablets and they have been an absolute godsend- they are perfectly safe to take in pregnancy, although do make you constipated not helped by prescribed iron tablets either so do make sure you get lots of fibre.
They dont get rid of the pain completely but really do take the edge off.
I tended to wear the support belt and use crutches when I was up and about "outside" (I also have a v active toddler)- most importantly, rest whenever you can. I had to give up work alot earlier than I originally intended.
Soft play is your friend (if your DC is independent enough to go and climb around by themself!) and take up any offers of help as much as possible.
Crutches do help, but v unpractical with toddler.
Most importantly- keep your legs together as much as possible. Slide in and out of the car, don't try and move anything with your legs. Chiropractor appointments also good idea.

Offering utmost sympathy OP. Its the bloody pits. You can do it. Rest as much as you can.

[BumpPower]

Thank you hairybolllocks! Elc today how exciting! Good luck!
I have a 2 week sick note at mo and DC is at nursery everyday so don't know what do with myself!

[Clarella]

Actually, a friend who is due in 6 weeks has said her hips are now staring to feel much better, though she didn't need crutches. So you could find thing improve nearer the end !