Pelvic Girdle Pain (or spd) and Birth

[ains73]

Does anyone have any advice on coping with this condition during labour and delivery?

I know the general advice is keep upright, try water (ie pool or bath) and avoid an epidural if possible. Would love to hear from anyone who has experienced this and had an ok birth.

Feeling very daunted at the prospect as finding both walking (with crutches)and lying down both major challenges at the moment. Pain is really bad and cannot imagine having this to deal with on top of everything else. In need of some encouragement that it can all be OK. :)

Hi,
I had spd with my first pregnancy and it's kicked in again with this pregnancy.

I had a water birth with DS and getting into the pool was the best thing I did. I struggled to get comfy before that and couldn't have entertained the birthing ball (expect maybe on my knees but also had a torn knee ligament at the time). I particularly wanted to avoid birthing on my back on the bed due to the spd...
However, I did actually end up giving birth on my back in the pool, god knows how, it was under the midwifes instruction as she wanted a better view!! I spent most of the labour in the pool on my left side, it was simply more comfy but having the water to support me was invaluable. The one time I felt like turning over (just to experiment) my waters went and I quickly want back to my left as it was more comfy..

I hope for the same this time, but at home. The thought of being monitored whilst labouring on my back on the bed leaves me in a cold sweat and can honestly say I think I would consider an elcs instead...

Hi Cazzr. Thank you for your reply. I am also considering a water birth and your story reassures me. The thought of being on my back for hrs terrifies me too.

I did ask a while ago about the possibility of elecs,but I was told it wouldn't be an option unless there were other complications ie. baby was breech.

The midwives and physio's all say having this condition shouldn't cause problems with delivery but when you are in so much pain, it's difficult to believe. Thanks for sharing your story.

The ACPWH have a great handbook which you can download from their website about pelvic girdle pain www.acpwh.org.uk/content/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=12

HTH

Hi ains73 sorry to hear you've got spd. I had it with dc1 and 2 then REALLY bad with dc3. What was amazing was that with dc3 as soon as labour started both pain and mobility improved slightly. I was able to move about and get up more easily, I had dc3 at home and labour was fine, 5 min 2nd stage was incredibly painful but mainly because i forgot toask for the entonox. The worst thing that happened was i got stuck on the floor afterwards and DH had to haul me up. Anecdotally spd leads to a short 2nd stage. Don't worry, it will be better than you think!

The Pelvic Partnership has some good advice.

here

I also had pelvic girdle pain early in pregnancy, again at about 20 weeks and late on. I had a home water birth and didn't need any other pain relief. To be honest I didn't really notice any other sensations or pain in pelvis or knees etc - all I could feel was the baby coming and felt this more in my low abdomen to start with (like period pain) then later in my tail bone (and bum!!) but not really in my pelvis. I found kneeling on the floor with cushion under each knee the best position for me till I got into the pool where I also knelt (padded pool floor) but my labour was very short (2.5 hours in total) and I was only in the pool half an hour before baby arrived so I don't know if you'll find the water enough pain relief or not - it worked for me though. I found my coxyx area felt sore afterwards and four months later I still have some residual pain in my sacrum and pelvis when sitting or standing in certain positions (or trying to do breastroke legs in the pool - ouch!) but it's much better than it was during pregnancy.

Just to note, I didn't have any pain relief other than the pool throughout labour.
I didn't find the spd hindered my ability to labour or push, and certainly didn't feel any specific spd pain thoughout, labour pain certainly stole the limelight!!

I was just a bit limited position wise prior to getting in the pool..

Hey there ains. I was also on crutches for SPD and it didn't affect my labour. There is no reason why you can't have an epidural, just be aware of how far you can pull your legs apart at the moment and don't go any furhter than that when the epidural kicks in. All fours is a comfortable position with SPD. Like Cazzr, I found that once the labour pains kicked in, I was totally unaware of what was going on with my pelvis :) I don't think the pain is any worse just because you have SPD. Don't worry too much, you will be fine and you will leave your crutches behind you when you take your wee bundle of joy home!I wasn't allowed a water birth, but if I could have, I would have.
Like gourd, I still have some residual pain but I am seeing a physio and am confident that it will sort itself out in time.

Just to add... I read a good tip on another similar thread. Take a piece of string, measure the distance between your legs at the distance that is comfortable and take the string in with you and give it to your midwife.

Ains, firstly I feel your pain and secondly I can provide the words of encouragement you seek. I had terrible SPD during my pg and was signed off work and housebound. My labour was not difficult- 6 hours, gas and air, moving around as much as I could physically manage in the early stages (a strange bobbing ministeps walk if I remember rightly) and then on all fours to push and deliver. Try to avoid getting marooned on your back with your legs spread, at all costs. Make sure SPD is written in big letters on front of your medical notes and in your birth plan.
There is even a theory that having a pelvis which is already floaty and open can be helpful in your birth.
There is also a theory- to which I subscribe- that after the terrible seemingly never ending experience of SPD, labour is a more positive experience- people actually attend to you and offer painkillers etc and when you know the pain will end soon you will get to meet your baby and all that pain becomes meaningful and worthwhile (just about!).
Get cracking on relaxation and breathing exercises for labour as they are also good for coping with the pain of SPD.

I had dreadful pgp during my 2nd pregnancy.

My labour was pretty quick, we only arrived at hospital 10 minutes before he was born. I delivered him knealing up leaning over the back of the head end of the bed (which had been elevated). I didn't notice any pgp specific pain during delivery, it did take a while (and a fair bit of physio) to fully improve postnatally.

Good luck.

Thank you all so much for your support and encouragement. It is so reassuring to hear positive stories involving PGP/SPD. Love the idea that this condition may even speed up labour! Talk about a silver lining. Top girls! :o

I am another one who had SPD with both pregnancies, and another one who stopped noticing her pelvis after 20 hours of back-to-back labour with no pain relief (my choice).

My pelvis and hips are still dodgy nine years on, though. Gah.

Hi all
I am 32 weeks pregnant and diagnosed with spd since 12 weeks. In moderate pain at all times but its severe post activity. Sleeping at night is a nightmare! Hot water bottles not helping at all. I waddle like a penguin as i cant separate my legs. It takes a lot to turn in bed but cannot avoid turning as hips start aching in 15 min.
I am ok to bear all the pain before and during labour but want to be able to look after my baby post delivery. They say a normal delivery is possible with support from expert midwife but i guess tat brings my delivery outcome down to a probability and my luck! !!!
I am seriously thinking on the lines of elective c section. . Not sure if they wud offer... pls can someone suggest!!!!

Raisa you'll get more responses if you start a new thread. You can under NICE guidelines ask for and get an ELCS if you want.