Pgp/Spd issues

[LadyHilton]

Hey all
I am currently 26weeks plus 4 days with my first child and am suffering from PGP. It's all mainly in the front pelvic bone. My back and hips only hurt if I stay laying down.
I was an early show (between 5-8 weeks) and appear much bigger than other women I know around the same due date as me ( due early April 17)
I originally thought my pain was due to lying on either side at night too long and turning over was quite painful. Now I am currently suffering if I am in bed too long, if I sit too long or even stand too long, I feel at my wits end. She is a very active baby and moves quite a lot. I made the mistake of making myself go for a walk after a very big dinner last night to help baby settle and sleep for a bit. Boy did I regret this
Not only was I knackered after about 20 mins and was feeling sore and demanded we walk back, but once I sat down on the sofa, after about 10 mins either position I sat in I was in agony.
Right now it's 8am, sitting up in bed after excruciating pain throughout the night and getting up to walk to the toilet. But the more I'm just sitting here is also uncomfortable. I use the pillow between legs which is a short term relief.
Did anyone find physio helped when it's this bad?
I have a full time sit down job which can get unbareable. And cannot be seen getting up too much to move as it means I am not "actively working" I don't want to be forced into early maternity as I'm only taking 5 months off as it is. Sitting or laying in bed does not help.
I am opting for a water birth in hoping this will help.
Am I likely to have a natural birth?

I could have cried this morning due to the pain.

I SPD with both pregnancies

First pregnancy was worse than my second

I ended up in a wheelchair with my first

A support band worked lovely with my second. I could still walk and it gave the support I needed

I also took painkillers as and when needed with a midwives/doctor's approval

Plenty of hot baths helped too

I literally feel your pain - have had PGP since about 25 weeks, am now 34 weeks. At it's worst I couldn't walk even a couple of steps and spent a few nights sitting on the sofa because lying down was too painful, even with pregnancy pillows and so on. I took a multi-pronged attack - saw my GP for strong painkillers (co-codamol), got referred to the PGP clinic by midwife which was fairly useless but once I was in the system I could get crutches from the physiotherapy dept and I had a couple of sessions with a private osteopath who sorted out my long-standing back pain a couple of years ago. All of this, combined with not trying to walk too far and cutting back on housework especially vacuuming, has really helped - I have good days and bad days but the good days are outnumbering the bad days now. Good luck

I've been on crutches since 28 weeks (now 35) and am basically housebound other than antenatal appointments. The pain is driving me crazy; I hardly sleep despite the dihydrocodeine, pillows etc and I am on the verge of depression.

Have a consultant appointment tomorrow to discuss options; I'm guessing they'll induce me but I want to push for ELCS because my left hip keeps dislocating itself and there are literally no positions where I can get my legs apart.

This is my first baby. I don't think I can do this again.

I'd definitely push for a c-section CeeCee.

I was in a similar position with DS2 and was refused a section, he was born at 37 weeks following a failed induction but a sweep that worked. I'm permanently disabled now, and am facing my 7th Pelvic surgery in the next few weeks. My consultant says I should have never have given birth.

Oh gosh fairycaravan I'm so sorry, that's absolutely terrible. I'm just worried they won't listen to me, I'm so anxious about the appointment in case they brush me off.

I had SPD and I insisted on an ELCS and while my hip is still not 100%, it's not permanently damaged. It sounds really tough, TheFairyCaravan and it's thanks to people online that I knew the consequences can be dire as no medical professional ever mentioned it.

They did talk at length about risks in Csections funnily enough which made me ask if vaginal birth is completely risk free as that's never discussed.

My physio did mention it can take up to 2 years for the hormone relaxin to clear from your system btw.

A proper maternity physio can really help. Mine have been brilliant in both pregnancies. They can help realign your pelvis and then fit a support brace to keep everything in place. You can use crutches to walk and get decent pain relief (you might have to push for good drugs)

Acupuncture has helped me too.

I have been on crutches since 26 wks (now 37 wks) and had a brace since 24 wks. The combination of reasonable adjustments at work (parking close to the office, working from home, gym ball and adjustable chair) and physio meant I didn't have to get signed off and start maternity leave early.

It's quite shocking reading this. I don't think anyone discussed with me the effects of SPD on giving birth, and the NHS physio workshop was basically here's a belt, it may or may not work (it made things worse for me) and when you go upstairs take a few things at the same time so you don't have to go up and down so much! A week after the birth something happened to my lower back so I couldn't move, but all I got from the GP was here are some painkillers, don't do any lifting! I think if I had got proper treatment then, I possibly wouldn't be a drain on the NHS 14 years later for ongoing back and hip pain.

I had this really badly in my first pregnancy, was on crutches for the last 4 months. I second an osteopath - I only went after the birth because the symptoms didn't go away even after 6 months. My friend who recommended him said she went in both her pregancies and it massively reduced the symptoms. Certainly got rid of mine completely after a few sessions. I'm another one who did not have an easy birth either - had an EMCS after about 30 hours in labour.

Sympathy op I had exactly the same symptoms. Walking was painful the impact of every step hurt. Crutches helped. I was signed off work early as they felt bad seeing me heavily pregnant on crutches hobbling around. I had an emergency c section. Thank god it went after the birth.

Weirdly didn't have at all for dd2 and had straightforward vbac. I didn't risk a third child. I still get twinges of the same pain just before my period and avoid high impact sport like running. Cyclings fine.

to suffers esp ceecee.

This is my first baby. I don't think I can do this again.

I felt like that after my first, but did a lot of pilates to strengthen my core before TTC second time & kept going with 1-to-1 pilates throughout the pregnancy (expensive but worth it). My second pregnancy was not as bad, although I was more clued up, rested more etc.

My youngest is 9 and I still get pain in my symphasis pubis joint the week before my period....

I had spd from about 18 weeks and have a desk job. Crutches were the only thing that helped tbh people are very helpful to a pregnant woman on crutches! I ended up
With a c section as my DS could not get engaged. Still get pain in hips occassionally

I didn't find physio useful in my last pregnancy the only helpful thing they did was give me crutches.
I am currently 13weeks and suffering badly again. I will let the midwife know I have it but I'm going to try an osteopath this time.
I had forgotten how awful this pain is its making me very miserable and I'm dreading another 6 months of it! The only good thing was my pain was gone a couple of hours after I had dd2.

I had severe SPD in both pregnancies, the pain was torture so you have my sympathy! My physio gave me elbow crutches and support belts as well as advice on how to move, eg getting in and out of bed etc. The trick is in keeping your knees together as you move yourself out of bed. I was in a wheelchair after five/ six months into my pregnancy. There are meds that you can be prescribed for pain, I didn't take any in my first pregnancy but was put on them in the five weeks I was on bedrest in hospital. I would mostly recommend hot and cold therapy, alternate a cold pack with a hot water bottle. It really helps! Buy several cold packs though! Then you don't have to wait for it to go cold again!

ive had this from around 16 weeks and started off pretty bareable but uncomfortable. This morning was my worst feeling and wanted to cry just trying to turn over in bed. As the day has gone on I can continually feel pain in the pelvic bone. It hurts a lot when I move but it's even worse if I sit still for a while and then move. I don't see my midwife for another 2 weeks but will likely go private with the physio. I think after today I may request crutches..

I'm sorry you are suffering, it is horrible.

As pps have said, check out Pelvic Partnership. Their website is brilliant and they are very helpful giving advice by email too.

Keep your legs always a little bit apart but not much. As has already been said, pillow between legs in bed, small steps, stairs one at a time, and so on.

Definitely put it on your birth plan and be sure to get your birth partner to remind each midwife and doctor.

Look into osteopathy privately.

Push your GP for any help they can give you.

This has made me sad reading this. I won't tell you my whole story as it's not very encouraging for you but suffice to say a year post partum and still really struggling with it. Please do seek hell and take on board all the advice you have had here. Whatever you do, don't assume it will just disappear post partum, and don't suffer in silence or push yourself, you must look after yourself!

Finally, I need to correct a pp.
One thing the books do not tell you is that breastfeeding sustains higher levels of relaxin hormone post-delivery. The specialist women's health physio told me this on my second pregnancy (had SPD from c18 weeks with both). She also advised against fast weaning if you decide to stop breastfeeding, as it drops the relaxin hormone levels so quickly it can increase pelvic joint pain significantly.
This is completely wrong!!!
Unfortunately it is a common misconception amongst doctors and others.
SPD is a mechanical problem (ie pelvic misalignment). It is not due to hormones. Stopping bfing will not change it. Please don't make decisions about bf because of your SPD, it is entirely separate. SPD needs manual therapy (osteopath or some physios but not all).

Hope that helps and good luck for a healthy(er) and happy pregnancy, birth, and parenthood.

When ppl have been given the support belts, where is it you have the pain? Was it hips, back...? It's really painful tonight just from curling up on the sofa. Right in the pelvic area. I think I slightly sympathise when a man keels over with a kick to the nuts lol

In my case it was mostly back and side (exactly on the hip bone) but I also suffer from sciatica and they make each other worse IYKWIM.

I found the belt 100% useless TBH as it's big and bulky and I couldn't really use it when sat down and I couldn't stand up for long. Baths helped with the SPD, but made the sciatica worse so I just managed to find about 2 comfy positions and fidgeted constantly, in fact I still do!

Hello. I had SPD with my last baby, would recommend a water birth it really helped me , and she was big 8lb 10 . I made a full recovery afterwards life went back to normal pretty quickly. Good luck

I had it in both pregnancies. Ds1's was worse, partly due to it not being idenified, so not managed. I ended up stuck in the house unless someone else could deliver me door to door.

Second time I'd worked out what the problem was and was more assertive in managing it and getting help. I got hold of crutches myself for about the last 6 weeks. NHS physio was too slow a process- 12 weeks from referral to getting a pelvic support at 37 weeks. Good job I'd already got the crutches as otherwise I'd have had to cancel as I couldn't have got from the car park to the clinic! (DH was away and I had no help that day and already called in a favour with an elderly neighbour to look after DS1)

First time, it did clear up quickly after birth. I've heard of an association between SPD and back to back position because of being more sedentary- I don't know how true it is, but both my babies were back to back. Alas DS1 inherited DH's big head, so not a great combination with my small pelvis, and being barely able to stand between the SPD and being 50% heavier than I was 6 months earlier. I found it hard to get comfortable in labour, and it ended up being an EMCS. DS2's labour was much better. I was more assertive about position, and got comfy on my knees kneeling over a birthing ball. Being a VBAC I was monitored, and due to difficulties with monitoring and protocol assuming distress and potential scar rupture, we ended up in theatre with forceps and a 3rd degree tear. I'm pretty sure that the tear contributed to the SPD hanging around and affecting my daily activity 3 months later. At 13 weeks post partum, I ended up getting in touch with an osteopath and that began to make a significant difference. I then began to gently build up exercise and recover my strength and mobility.

It's an underestimated condition. Both in the impacts it has on pregnancy (and beyond) and I'm sure it's woefully underidentified. (My GP dismissed it as pregnancy aches and pains at 34 weeks after I tearfully accepted that the supermarket was far too painful). People can be very dismissive about it (remembers staggering around like I'd lost a horse from between my legs, and someone really not grasping why I couldn't go casual supply teaching because she'd managed to carry on as usual in her pregnancies )

You need to be insistent to get the help you need. The self help techniques do help. I think maternity leave can only be imposed from 36 weeks, so prior to that is regular sick leave policy.

I hope it stabilises for you and have a quick recovery. It's a miserable condition.

Hi went to private physio this morning, an hour for the initial visit. Liked her - said I have spd with a lot of tightness. She manually worked on me which was painful at times but could feel it easing out as time went on.

Gave me some exercises to do:

Lie on back, place pillow between legs, hold and squeeze the pillow and do this 10 times twice per day.

Getting a spiky massage ball, stand against wall, place ball on gluts, find the tender spot & hold. Do the same with back

Breathe in while pushing your tummy out and then breathe out and see tummy go down - do this for 5 minutes.

Told her the other things I am doing & she said to keep them up:

Sit on gym ball and do pelvic circles
Lie on back and put hands on knees and do inward and outward circular movements
Take one leg at a time over knee and press gently on the leg
Go on all fours and do pelvic tilts

I have been working from home the last two days which has been a life saver & have been doing the exercises 4-5 times a day. The gym ball and on all fours give such relief

I feel all your pain