Could I have some advice from SPD sufferers please?

[Applemuncher]

I have SPD, this is my first child and I'm 29 weeks. It's very painful although all the time, it gets much worse if I try to be active or towards the end of the day.

My GP has referred me for physio which I'm pleased about, it hurts to carry my handbag at the moment but I've found myself worrying about the stragest thing...

When I see the physio, what will I wear?? , I read somewhere that you wear your knickers and I'm very hormonal at the moment and I have a bikini line of gorilla proportions (from belly down to ankles).

I know in the face of SPD this should be nothing at all but I can't stop worrying about it. If I know what's going to happen then maybe I can 'prepare' (with the use of mirrors)...

I shall buy leggings!! I'll also have to do something to 'manage' the ladygarden too but if the physio is a man I'll just die!!!

My last physio was a man but I didn't mind him looking at my bare arm , anything south of the border I wouls have to make sure I was 'prepared' for!

Please don't worry about your appointment. The physio will be interested in your spine, joints and muscles, not your knickers or pubes.

You will be given a belt and possibly crutches if you are in a bad way. You will be given a phone number if things get worse and you need a wheelchair. you will be given advice on birthing positions.

I had a man, but.. I didn't have to strip off as all they did was fit me for a belt and crutches.

Having had to take off my clothes and have people staring where the sun don't shine for hours at a time thanks to two high risk pregnancies, in my experience medical people really, really don't care and have seen a lot worse, guaranteed. I'm seeing an osteopath now for SPD (I found the NHS physio was no use for me last time out even though he was very nice - you may have more luck) and I have to admit to caring a lot less about these things than I did a few years ago as I am so used to it now.

However I know where you are coming from - it's not what they think, it's how you feel! When my pregnancy with DC2 went horribly wrong at 18 weeks (thought it was a routine scan, ended up having surgery that evening to fit a stitch) despite the fact my baby was not expected to survive, I was chiefly concerned at the time about the fact I had not shaved my legs etc and had a roomful of men gawping about down there for over an hour. Mortified, I was. Ahh, priorities.

DC2 was fine in the end, btw

Hope it all goes well tomorrow! SPD is the bane of my pregnant life too.. I'm only 22 weeks and already need a wheelchair for a lot of things and that's with seeing an osteopath. Stupid relaxin.

Thanks for your help ladies I feel a bit better now. I have always been a total prude so maybe I will finally manage to get over myself! .

So glad to hear your last pregnancy went well Sparklies although pregnancy must be a really long haul for you at the moment, makes me count my blessings!

I totally understand what you are saying Applemuncher, and agree with everyone saying the physios/osteos really dont notice "that" stuff.

When I needed an osteo after the birth of DC1, he saw me every other day from 2 days post birth and I was bleeding so heavily still, and in maternity pads and I was so paranoid with him going near my lady bits in case I bled over him, it was horrid ! No accidents thank goodness, but my, how I worried !

Don't worry applemuncher if you wear thick tights or leggings you can usually keep them on. I am now recovering from spd, dc3 is 6m and you have lots of sympathy from me.