spd and childbirth

[pseudonym101]

Hi everybody. I am 25 weeks pregnant and am sufffering with severe SPD. This website has been a godsend for information and I can't tell you how much better I feel knowing that other people have been through this and come out the other side!

I was just wondering if anybody would be kind enough to post their experiences of giving birth with SPD, I seem to be finding so much conflicting information.

This is my second pregnancy, I had a very long and difficult labour with my son, which was 10 years ago and I am quite nervous about doing it again. I didn't have SPD last time, my whole pregnancy was easy. I guess I just want to hear how the SPD affected other peoples births!

Can't help I'm afraid as I had SPD but had to have an ELCS due to DD being breech but before we knew that my MW said to find positions that would minimise the amount you have to open your legs.

I also read to make sure the MW who delivers the baby is aware of it so they don't open your legs too wide, particularly if you have an epidural so you can't feel the pain.

I read that you could get a piece of string to measure how far you can open your legs and make sure the MW doesn't go over that.

Funnily enough - I've just posted on a thread in the pg topic from someone who is wanting to opt for a section due to spd.

I had severe SPD with my 3rd (hoping to stave it off this time). I was induced 2 weeks early and everything was fine. My physio put so much highlighter ink on my file you could have seen it from space! All the delivery staff took notice of what was written (and the fact that DH was parroting to every new person in the room the I had SPD - including the cleaner ). There was a specific measurement on my file as well as a note that if my legs had to be apart further ie for examination / stitching they were to ensure it was not the usual knees apart and heels together and up position, and no stirrups unless an emergency.

I was offered a section as ds was breech but opted for ECV at 37wks (FWIW excruciating with SPD even with morphine) which worked and induction went fine.

If my SPD gets that bad again this time (and I am prepared for the worst) then I plan to go with VD again. If you can ensure that all staff are aware of the issue then it is no more risky than it should be.

Sorry you're suffering so much. It's not great, I know. If it helps, within hours I was feeling a lot better and 'normal' within a very few weeks. Good luck!

If you've got any specific questions, just post them here and I'll wade through them!

I've had spd 3 times and really badly with dc3. I had dc3 at home and as soon as contractions started the spd pain eased and i gained a small amount of mobility and was able to wander from room to room . Easy labour except for a verry painful 5 min 2nd stage, but no problems at all except afterwards i got stuck sitting on the foor and dh had to haul me up. gave birth kneeling as advised by my physio (your legs can't get moved if you're kneeling).Anecdotally spd can lead to very short 2nd stages.
Good luck!

I gave birth on my left side, knees together. Everything happened so fast so there was no time for MW to read notes and I was not wanting to speak, so there was a hairy moment where the MW lifted my right leg - that is the only time throughout labour I screamed/shouted. Luckily my OH instantly realised why I was so upset and told her, she quickly put it down. I'd advise you to make sure your birth partner knows the main points in your plan and knows to mention SPD if you are unable.

It wasn't until a few days post birth that I suddenly realised I no longer had SPD or sciatica, I'd been so focused on my baby and my stitches.

Good luck!

This is all very reassuring!

I guess I will have to be organised with my birth plan.

It seems unreal that something so incredibly painful can just ...go away after baby is born. I can barely remember what it is like to not be in pain!

I've just spoken to physios and an obstetriian about the same thing. The verdict was to avoid lying on your back for a vaginal delivery (which seems to be standard advice anyway.) Good positions are side-lying with someone/ something supporting your leg OR kneeling, which can be on all fours or leaning forward ona hospital bed with pillows etc to support your top half. Also, yes make sure everyone knows you have pelvic girdle pain and if you have an epidural, ensure you know beforehand how far apart to safely let your knees go.

My OB said the only real issue is if shoulder dystocia occurs. A vaginal instrumental delivery (forceps / ventouse) can be achieved with your knees quite close together, whereas if the baby's shoulder is stuck, they tend to put your knees to your shoulders to open your pelvis, which can be more of an issue.

Also this leaflet is good: www.acpwh.org.uk/docs/ACPWH-PGP_Pat.pdf

I had SPD with DC2 and had ELCS. I wanted to try for a natural birth but the only way they would allow me to have her earlier than full term (she was delivered at 38) was by ELCS, apparently induction would have been too risky

Anyway, you've already been given some great advice, but one thing I will suggest is to get some string and tie it loosely round your knees. Then open your legs to where it hurts. close them enough to stop it hurting and tie the string tight (in a loop) take this with you to hospital! If you think you will be at risk of them trying to open your legs too far, you can slip it on and limit it yourself. Hope you understand what I mean, as I'm no good at explaining things.

My SPD cleared, almost completely, less than 48 hours after DD arrived. I dropped my crutches into physio when I left to take her home!

Just want to echo what most have already said really! Be VERY vocal about having SPD and how far you can have your knees apart.

I didn't know I had SPD with ds1 8 years ago (I naively thought every pregnant lady was in pelvic agony constantly!) and because no one knew I ended up giving birth on my back, with each foot on a midwifes hip either side of me, with my arms under my knees holding their hands!!! THE worst position I could have been in. The pain in my pubis and bum cheeks was far worse than the contractions. They must have twigged that I had SPD at this point, although I was still put in stirrups for stitches afterwards. Took 3 months for me to be able to walk pain free.

My second labour was so much better, No epidural so I could move around and same as moomoo the pain seemed to ease whilst in labour and kneeling was the position I gave birth in too. And the SPD went straight away.

Hope all goes well for you

Yes be very vocal about spd when in labour, but being too vocal at an early stage may result in all sorts of melodramatic reactions from consultants like banning use of the birthing pool or early induction.

It seems amazing that this time last year i was unable to walk out to the washing line and now I'm almost 100% over it.