SPD & severe back pain, in a bit of a mess

[GoodVibrations]

I have SPD and severe back pain. I was managing the pain (just about) but now I can't walk more than a few steps (holding onto something). I'm picking up crutches next week from a friend who is a physio. I saw a physio from about 16 weeks but other than giving me exercises he said there was nothing more he could do.

I'm almost 30 weeks pregnant and am absolutely terrified and confused about childbirth. I have one DD already. She was 5 weeks prem and my labour was fast (less than 4 hours despite being back to back). So there is little chance that I will have pain relief or a water birth this time either. I am still suffering trauma from my previous childbirth experience (had counselling, now waiting for a labour debrief at the hospital).

I have no idea who I should speak to (I have only seen my own midwife twice as I am having consultant led care, though have not actually seen the consultant at all yet, just different midwives/ doctors at the hospital). I have no idea what my birth options are, I'm confused and scared. If I am offered a c-section (no idea if that's possible?) then how will they manage it with a history of premature labour?.

Sorry for the long post!. Has anyone had a similar experience or can offer and advice? (or just a bit of support :))

Have you considered an osteopath or chiropractor specialised in pregnancy? Most times they do a much better job than a physio. Downside being you can't get them on the NHS. I have been seeing an osteopath this time out (DC3) and it helps a little - most women get helped a lot.

It's possible your fast labour is connected to your SPD. I have SPD badly from mid second trimester too, and had a very fast labour with DC1 too at 36w6d so not quite full term.

Nobody (well, pretty much nobody unless you're very lucky) will offer you a c-section before 38 weeks even with a history of PTL - you'd be lucky to get before 39 weeks unfortunately.

In my situation I have to have ELCS because I have a permanent stitch in due to incompetent cervix, but like you I'm pretty sure I won't reach term let alone the scheduled 38w2d one I have.

I was planning a homebirth with DC2 after a less than ideal (thanks to the hospital staff) albeit fast birth with DC1 but unexpected circumstances intervened and I had an EMCS in the end. But that was my "solution" to the fast/early labour problem. If you have genuine issues over childbirth I am not sure what the way forward would be.

I think your best bet would be to chat to your midwife at your next appointment and hopefully come up with some ideas! If she's not helpful or is rubbish then try the next one you see, as you should be getting a lot more appointments right now, but most are lovely.

Good luck!

Thanks Sparklies. I don't have another midwife appointment until mid - April but have a scan at the hospital in just over 2 weeks. I asked my midwife about an osteopath and she said it wouldn't help, but then she seems to have dismissed my SPD as another pregnancy niggle. I will book an appointment I think.

I have thought about a homebirth but wouldn't be able to have one if I don't reach 37 weeks. I'm just so confused I can't seem to think straight :(

Please go and see your doctor, I was in terrible pain during my pregnancy due to locked vertebrae, my midwife referred me to a physio which was useless and resulted in more pain, in desperation I went back to the doctor who referred me to a osteopath on the nhs, she was fantastic and gently malipulated it back. I had a home birth as well, please go and ask as I remember how terrible the pain was and was really cross with myself for putting up with it for so long!

boohoohoo - Wow at getting an osteopath on the NHS!! They're like gold dust!

Yes, osteos and chiros really DO help with SPD in most cases. SPD is not something to "put up with", it's bloody awful and even if it can't be fixed, it can be improved in most cases. With my first pregnancy I was dismissed by a rude midwife over my SPD too even though I was in tears. Not all midwives are fantastic unfortunately. I wish I'd known then what I know now about SPD treatment.

The Pelvic Partnership has a LOT of information on SPD/PGP etc too:

www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk/

Yes, the cut off for homebirth is 37 weeks here at least (DC1 arriving 4 hours before the cut off did not make my day, it has to be said - hence the awful hospital birth) which does present a problem. I was planning on crossing my legs and fudging my dates a bit if necessary to get a homebirth with DC2 but as you say, no guarantees.

I was in your shoes. I was induced at 38wks due to the pain (I had no history of prem labour though). The labour and birth were only worse because ds was back to back. Otherwise it was fine, only G&A. Well, I say fine, I truly thought my back was going to break and was crying for an epidural, but that was ds's fault not my SPD, scoliosis or disc wear! And I was walking, crutches-free, to have a bath within 90mins. I was totally recovered from the SPD within 4-5wks.

Regarding the section issue, I believe they book you a date but you might get a consultant to agree to do an emcs if you go into labour early.

Have you been referred to a consultant yet? I would ask for that asap. Then you can have the conversation with someone who deals with this sort of issue all the time rather than as the exception. And if your midwife is really that unsympathetic then I'd be asking for a referral right now. The last thing you need is to be treated like a nuisance or a moaning minnie.

Good luck!

Are you doing the exercises the physio gave you at least once a day? Physio can only help if you put in the work.

Afaik you should be under consultant care - I was first referred for musculoskeletal issues.

Thanks everyone,

japhrimel I was doing the physio exercises twice a day from 16 to about 22/23 weeks. To be honest I just gave up after that as I was getting worse (though I still do some reverse pelvic tilts and some yoga poses when I'm physically able). The physio did say that it might be even worse without the exercises but I just lost hope when it became painful.

I'm booking in to see my doctor tomorrow for a referal to a consultant.

I had bad SPD when pregnant with my DD. My labour was very fast 2hrs 11mins, best advice I was given was to birth on all fours. Your are in control of your pelvis that way. All in all a good result, was able to get up and shower independantly very quickly.
I was almost in shock after a terrible birth experience 1st time round. Still can't believe I walked to the ward,when I was in a wheel chair for 3 days after having my DS.
HTH

herdingcats thanks for the tip on all fours, I'm definately more comfortable like that (if only I could sleep like that...!)

herbie Sorry to hear how much you've suffered, and what an awful consultant you had.
I do have a support belt, which really helps my pelvis and hips when I walk but seems to make my back worse. I am now too scared to walk anywhere so haven't used it a lot in the past few weeks.
Thanks for the kind message, I have been getting very upset recently. My DD is 2 and she doesn't why I can't pick her up anymore. I can't even do the everyday things like get her dressed/ change her nappy as she squirms so much and my back can't take being hunched over her and twisting. DH jokes that these are the boring bits but I feel completely useless. I know its only for a short time though (10 weeks to go if I make it to 40 weeks) and it is worth it......
Today has been a better day though so feeling a bit more positive :)