To be disatisfied with my ante natal care

[Reallytired]

I have SPD, I am 33 weeks and I can barely walk. My GP won't prescibe me pain killers or refer me to a physio. He says that me seeing a physio would be a complete and utter waste of nhs resources as the problem will resolve itself in 7 weeks. I would like a support belt and maybe some crutches if my ablity to walk gets any worst. The only think he has offered to do is sign me off from work.

I feel like my pelvis is being pushed apart. Walking a short distance is so painful I am almost in tears. It is making simple things like picking my son up from school a nightmare.

My bump is lying transverse and I asked him if this was normal at 33 weeks and if there was any possibly of my bump being turned to a better position. I think if my bump was head down then I would not be in so much pain. My bump is not turning summersaults. It is still moving, but it seems stuck in the same transverse position.

I got told off for asking such a stupid question and made to feel I had wasted his time. Apparently I should have asked my questions at the next ante natal appointment in two weeks time. I have been told that its unlikely the consultant would attempt to turn my baby and cs would be the most likely outcome if the baby does not turn.

When my son was born 7 years ago, you were allowed to phone your midwife and ask questions like that. You also were allowed to make an extra an appointment if something was really worrying you.

I think that my ante natal care is p!ss poor!

GreenEggs is right about the acupuncture, people say very positive things about it and I forgot to put it in my action plan for you. I will be having some of that in week 38 when I come off the hard core drugs (I am week 36 now).

I would also add to all this that water birth is usually recommended for SPD sufferers, as it supports the pelvis and minimises the risk of damage. You should not let your legs be put into stirrups during labour and you should probably resist forceps/ventouse as they can also further damage the pelvis. If you don't fancy doing a water birth, then all fours or upright leaning over cushions or a birthing ball is an alternative (as people have already said).

Your GP isn't really providing 'care' is he? Your midwife should sort this out though - the lack of staff is not your problem - your PCT will have a PALS service and you could raise the difficulties you're having in getting in touch with them?

Next time you see your GP be sure to ask him what experience he has of having his ligaments softed by hormones and the forced apart by several kilos of extra mass and fluid....

BoffinMum - I had no idea that you could claim DLA for having SPD - I've known a few people who have had it and ended up on crutches towards the end and just after pg, one was in a wheelchair! AFAIK,non claimed DLA - bet they've kept that one quiet! Shall pass the link onto SIL.
SIL ended up starting her ML 3 mo early with her dd (who's 3 and a bit now), she just couldn't get very far anywhere.

I had a water birth for my ds, and hired a pool so could relax in it for two weeks before my due date, and it also really helped with the pain. Water births tend to be hands-off, so less chance of anyone telling you what to do - you get to do what your body feels comfortable and safe. I delivered in the pool, kneeling, but with my legs quite close together.
I could only get in the pool when my partner was there though, as he had to lift me in as I couldn't climb in or out (nor in/out of the bath).
One other thing - something I found really painful - pushing a shopping trolley. If you can, get deliveries, and get them to deliver the shopping onto a table, and get someone else to put it all away...
I had an exising pelvic problem unfortunately, and so have a legacy from SPD. A combination of chiro and pilates has really helped, but nearly 4 years on I still can't push a full shopping trolley or move a chair/box with my leg, and still have to think and put my legs together before I turn in bed. However, most of the time SPD is a distant memory - for which I am thankful.
Best of luck to you ladies who are going through it now....

Turtle, I get the higher rate for mobility because I can only walk 2 metres before being in terrible pain (on the form it is important to relate what life is like on a bad day, and not a relatively good day - all conditions like this go up and down). I have to use a wheelchair when out of the home. The higher rate of mobility also entitles you automatically to a Blue Badge and free car tax. I also get the lower rate for care because I can't balance on my crutches and simultaneously get hot food out of the oven, which is their standard test, i.e. whether you can prepare a proper main meal for one. I am also entitled to the Warm Front grant, in which they check over your heating system and boiler and update it if necessary, with the Government covering the first £2000, and they sent me a gift pack of low energy light bulbs as part of the scheme. I am about to apply for a Cinema Exhibitors' Association pass for £5 which entitles me to take a carer to the cinema for free (i.e. halving the cost of a visit) - anyone in receipt of DLA can apply for this. Some theme parks and tourist attractions also have arrangements like this, so basically DH goes free.

In short, financially it is well worth applying for all these grants as offsets the costs of such a disability and also takes some of the stress out of having the condition.

BTW I had to complain to PALS three times and the Chief Executive of the hospital to get proper medical attention.

I would definitely second (third? fourth?) the recommendations for a waterbirth. I delivered my last baby in the birthing pool at our birthing centre and it was the dream birth. I had so much more control over where I wanted my body parts to be.

I'm interested about the DLA - I was told I couldn't apply because SPD is a temporary ailment (even though I still hadn't recovered by the time I fell pregnant this time!) so I am going to look into that!

That's not true at all. I think (but double check) a disability has to last a minimum of 6 months to be classed as a disability, so as long as a GP or mw is prepared to state this, then you can get the benefit. As they have no way of being sure you will get better immediately after the birth, this is appropriate. However if you do have a miracle recovery, the onus is apparently on you to confess, and ask for the benefit to be stopped. In my case I got it at 19 weeks so this all fitted in terms of timescale.

Boffinmum - what blottedcopybook said was what I and others I know were led to believe. I know SIL really struggled with her first pg, made even harder because she was a single mum (the dad f*ed off when he found out she was pg ), luckily her mum was able to help her. But she is worried about how she will be able to manage with this one with a 3yo, plus my BILs (DH's bro) 2 girls.

You're right, people are told this but I was trying to say that they are given the wrong information. Sorry, it probably sounded like I didn't believe you all or something! That was not my intention.

Do you know, it breaks my heart that SPD mums don't get immediate effective support. It really is a cinderella pg complication.

BTW I found this SPD related petition on the No 10 Downing Street website and signed it. You might want to as well.

petitions.number10.gov.uk/spdinpregnancy/

BM - Yes, I know what you meant, and you are right - it is a disgrace that expectant mums aren't given this info!

Thanks for the link to the petition, will sign it!

It's utterly shocking. I was at the Doctor last week to get signed off again and when I started crying because I was in pain he told me that, "Pregnancy should be a happy time".

WELL DUH. It might be happy for me if you were loading me up on painkillers and coming to visit ME instead of making me come to you. D!ckhead.

Pregnancy should be a happy time? Says who? I think he has been looking at too many soft focus Mothercare adverts. For most people I think it is a rewarding time rather than a happy time. There are simply too many physical discomforts and worries even in a normal pregnancy for people just to skip through naively like that.

Hate to say it, but men, eh?

Christ, I admire you for not suggesting your GP whack himself in the balls, because it's only a shortlived pain.

Call your maternity unit and ask if there's a specific clinic for SPD. And I would also suggest you change your GP to an actual human being, to be frank. It's extremely simple to do. (Going elsewhere, I mean; altering a personality is sadly harder, in my experience).

SPD is awful, I know, and decent physio advice can help a lot.

And another positive for a waterbirth. I had a vile pregnancy but the easiest labour ever. Only needed gas and air, and I am the queen of wimps, usually.

It's a pity we can't go to each others' crap GP appointments as a kind of SPD coven to disabuse them of all this nonsense en masse.

Reallytired I am a size 12 and would be happy to send you my tubigrip (it's never been used). How is best to get your address?

Thank you for all your support. I am going to try and get the midwife to refer me to a physio.

I am hoping for a home water birth, but I need bump to turn.

ReallyTired, I am a bit of an alternative therapy sceptic, but reflexology 'worked' for me last time turning the baby (certainly was relaxing, anyway). Also have you seen the spinning babies website?? Optimal fetal positioning has to be the main approach at this stage, I imagine.

Spinning Babies

Reallytired, I have a tube bandage the mw gave me to use at night. I'd be more than happy to pass this on to you, I did sleep a little better with it.

CAT me if you're interested