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Pregnancy

What is SPD?

15 replies

Wills · 27/08/2004 09:47

A very close and dear friend has been diagnosed with SPD. I've been lucky enough never to suffer so I have no idea what it is other than from listening to others on here it sounds painful. Is there anything I can do for her? We're off to visit her this weekend and I suggested Legoland (we both have toddlers) - was that crass of me? Is there anything I can do to help her?

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blossomhill · 27/08/2004 09:52

My SIL had this and it is a very painful condition that effects the pelvis area. If I remember rightly a pregnancy hormone that is released causes the pelvis to soften therefore not giving any support to the pelvis. This casues a lot of pain when doing simple things such as walking. My SIL ended up in a wheelchair and avoided walking whenever possible. After my neice was born the problem continued as my SIL breastfed so she stopped as it was so painful. Thankkfully 7 weeks after the birth SIL is fully recovered. HTH

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mears · 27/08/2004 09:52

Sympisis Pubis Dysfunction.

It is a really painful condition in pregnancy due to the relaxant effect of pregnancy on the pelvis. The symphisis pubis at the front of the pelvis starts to 'separate' causing pain. Walking a lot is not good fot it at all. However, she should have been seen by a physion and given a pelvic support which can help. She will also have been given exercises and also tips on how to sit/lie/get up off a chair, out of car/bed etc.
Legoland might not be a good idea unless there are lots of places to sit. From what I remember there is a lot of walking involved. Ask her what she thinks though. She might fancy the day out.

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motherinferior · 27/08/2004 09:56

I had this and wrote a piece on it for a baby mag. Email me if she wants a copy.

Mears, she may well have been fobbed off by her GP with sympathy and the suggestion she takes paracetamol. Bloody appalling, the way SPD gets disregarded. Not that I'm an obsessed SPD zealot.

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Slinky · 27/08/2004 09:59

I suffered with SPD with all 3 but the last baby was the worst.

It had got to be the most painful thing I've ever suffered and that includes labour!

Basically SPD is where the joints/ligaments in the pelvic area become "overloose" due to hormones and start over-stretching (very simple description). I started off with bones feeling like that were cracking and rubbing against each other - ending up with me unable to get out of bed and just turning in bed was excruitiating - and most nights would result in me sobbing in bed. With No 3 I needed crutches to walk about and a support belt (my DS1 was only 22 months when DD2 was born so last few months I was virtually housebound).

To the extreme end, I do know of people ending up in wheelchairs (this put me off having a 4th - I seriously couldn't cope with the pain again).

DD2 is now coming up to 5 - and still VERY occasionally when I get out of bed, I sometimes feel very tender - particularly the week before a period.

Just to add...not sure how far along your friend is, but looking back on my experiences, the thought of trudging around Legoland with SPD would turn my stomach.

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Heathcliffscathy · 27/08/2004 10:00

one of my best friends had this really badly during pregnancy and got a LOT Of fobbing off. physio or osteopath (can't remember which) helped a lot. aren't there some quarters that don't recognise it as a real thing??? makes me very

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Slinky · 27/08/2004 10:02

Both GPs I saw claimed it was "part and parcel" of pregnancy (both male I hasten to add).

It was my HV who was an ex-midwife who spotted it and packed me off to Physio. The Physio was excellent - lots of advice/twice-weekly doses of ultra-sound scanning on my pelvic bones.

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motherinferior · 27/08/2004 10:10

ggggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

This is why it's so under-reported, you know. I reckon it's far more common than the one in 30 stat or whatever it is - which itself was taken from one study of one hospital IIRC. Want to write some more about it. Grrrrrrrrr.

Wills, and anyone else, do email me if you wish to.

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smellymelly · 27/08/2004 10:53

I'm currently suffering really badly, and have been house bound this week, and am using crutches already. Saw physio on Mon, and haven't been able to move since. I'm only 21 weeks.... HELP!

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mumbojumbo · 27/08/2004 10:58

I've had SPD with both my pregnancies and ds2 is now 9 months and I'm still suffering the effects of SPD. I am now back seeing my obstetric physio and seeing some improvement in my symptons. Also I had to laugh though, as when I went back to my GP practice to get a referral, the doc I saw had no idea and hadn't heard of the condition! I ended up telling him all about it!!

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fisil · 27/08/2004 11:00

I had only a very mild thing like this, but it was still very painful. Stairs were a complete nightmare - I had to do two feet per step and it took a lot of time and pain! I was given a belt, some exercises and the advice to just take it easy.

What about offering to take her toddler to legoland and give her a day off? That would be the nicest thing I can think of!

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Wills · 27/08/2004 11:45

Yes please motherinferio. Am sending you my contact details.

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Wills · 27/08/2004 11:45

Fisil - I would adore taking her toddler to Legoland but she's a working mum and weekends with her daughter are precious, not sure she'd agree.

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fisil · 27/08/2004 12:08

I'm a working mum, and I'd agree! I can see the point, though. Maybe offer to do something closer to home so that you take the toddlers out only when she wants a lie-down. Or my favourite - take a gorgeous picnic over to her house and give her the double pleasure of not having the discomfort of going out or of having to cook!

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sweetkitty · 27/08/2004 13:11

I was lucky in that I only suffered mildly, turning over in bed was the worst thing and getting up after sitting for a while. I can only sympathise with you who are suffering right now.

I was also told well backache is part and parcel of pregnancy it's not backache!!!

The good thing was the pain went as soon as I had the baby it's lovely being pain free.

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Wills · 27/08/2004 14:14

Fisil, did that last time - picnic that is. Cooked sunday Lunch and did sunday tea. Fab, but she's determined to host this time so don't want to tread on toes .