SPD and labour question!

[nightowlmostly]

Hi, I have had SPD since about 20 weeks or so, I'm 37 weeks now. It's getting a lot worse since the baby has dropped down a bit I think and I'm getting a bit concerned about the next few weeks and the labour.

Is it likely to get a lot worse between now and then with the softening of the ligaments getting ramped up? Am assuming that's what happens near the end of pregnancy, but I don't know for sure.

As for the labour itself, am worried about ending up in bad positions that will exacerbate it, or needing stirrups which I've heard will be quite bad for it and hinder recovery from it. I know it usually goes away after you give birth but not always, and I have had trouble with my hips and pelvis in the past.

I realise I'm probably worrying over nothing but I am struggling to walk and my pelvis has started making dodgy crunching sounds. It's got a lot worse in only the last few days, so if I go overdue I dread to think what state I'll be in by the end!

My doctor asked me if I wanted any painkillers for it but that was a few weeks ago when it wasn't too bad, and I wasn't aware there was anything I could take, is there? Thanks for any advice!

It may get worse, hopefully stay same. I've never heard of 'needing' stirrups - are you outside the UK? Basically keep knees close in labour. DP can watch for that.
All fours and water pools are good. GP can prescribe codeine.

My physio told me to avoid labouring on my back, and to keep my knees together as much as possible! My midwives were brilliant and made sure my legs were supported during exams etc.

I laboured mainly on my knees leaning my arms forward onto a sofa, dropped back onto my haunches to deliver, my knees were never at more than about 70degrees apart IYSWIM. I made an amazingly quick recovery from the SPD, could literally feel things popping back into place within days!

You can take codeine, also regular paracetamol won't stop the pain but will take the edge off. Good luck!

Nightowl, in most cases the SPD will disappear after delivery. But please be aware that it might not. I was told that I could not be in pain as I was no longer pregnant, the amount of painkillers I got through after the birth was amazing. They only took me seriously when I ended up in A&E over Christmas with a dislocated pelvis.
DD is now nearly 8 months and my physio is my best friend, and likely to be for a while yet.

Not the question you asked I know but I was assured that mine would go away after the birth and didnt know what to do when it didnt.
Oh and I didnt labour this time, EMCS so it wasnt made worse by that.

Also OP have you seen a physio at all? They can help even at this stage.

Thanks everyone for your input. I was concerned about needing stirrups if I need forceps or something mainly, notcitrus. I am hoping for a water birth and no epidural etc, but am aware that these things don't always go to plan!

missnevermind, thanks for that, I know it sometimes doesn't go away and am prepared for that, but I hope it does! And when I see my midwife next week I might ask her about a physio appt.

Thanks everyone!

I've got Spd this time too, didn't with first. It's truly horrible and I find worse at night when i try and turn (agony!!). Last time its was severe back pain and I had physio for quite a few months after, so although I've been told the Spd should go after birth, I've had to just decide that if doesnt it ill deal with it when it happens! There's enough to think about right now!
I've started thinking about the birth too and how it might affect how I labour and deliver. I'm due this coming Friday (eek!) And have had Spd since about 30 weeks. I'll be honest, it has got worse, and I have a toddler who wants picking up or moving from highchairs and funny angles which hasnt helped.
Things that have def helped....pregnancy pilates (I did a 6wk course and was soooo relaxing but also very good for my Spd) helps get your core muscles working properly and supporting your body, things like pelvic floor v v important with Spd, so practice that and do it when moving position as really helps. Swimming was also good, but mainly pain killers have taken the edge off and made it bearable!!! Just taking paracetamol normally and co-dydramol when really bad.
Wow, the things We go through to have these little cuties! It's not nice at the time, but your v near the end now, so try and think about all the good parts of what's coming, and take lots of paracetamol! Hope that helps??
Jen x

It didn't get much worse for me in the last month with either pregnancy - yoga helped mitigate the symptoms a bit and wallowing in water was very soothing.

With regards to the birth, I had a difficult forceps birth with DC1. It took much longer to get over the SPD after him (months) than with DC2 (less than a week). I got good advice from a Physio with DC2 that there are ways to use stirrups if absolutely necessary to minimise damage - they can set them not as wide. Thankfully I didn't have to find out as she was born in water - this was absolutely brilliant, especially for being able to change position during labour and letting me control how wide my legs went.

Good luck for your birth!

I had SPD and decided on ELCS. But I was told, to take a piece of ribbon with me if I laboured, tie it round my knees to prevent my legs being opened too far

Unfortunately, surgeon didn't read my notes and raised my legs then dropped my knees to insert the catheter (think smear position) it didn't hurt, cos of the spinal, but I felt everything shift. Was horrid!!

On a happier note, I went from practically bedbound to walking unaided in 3 days. Good luck