Horrendous SPD and toddler - can I do anything about it??

[extracrunchy]

Pregnant with DC2 (due Dec) DS is 2 and very active. Had mild SPD last time but nothing compared to this time - it's absolutely horrendous and worse now the weather's getting colder.

Feeling really guilty as can't do much physical stuff with DS and these are his last couple of months of having me to himself! He's also much trickier without quite a bit of exercise...

DH wants me to book an appointment with GP but can they actually do anything about it?

What can I do to ease it/keep DS entertained? Feels unmanageable at the moment. Someone help!

I had this with my second. TBH we spent a lot of the time on the sofa, watching TV, looking at books, toys, etc. If it's what you need to get through, then do that. I was due in May and from about January, I stopped doing cleaning (my lovely Mum came and did it), ironing, most walking, pushing shopping trollies, etc. Keep your knees together when turning over in bed, sit down to put on socks, do not under any circumstances stand on one leg! You probably know all this anyway.

It was pretty grim, but I think giving up all these things where what meant that I had a very quick recovery and was up and about very soon after the birth. My midwife referred me to the physio at the hospital, but it was a group session and not all that helpful.

Hope you can stay sane!

Thank you helpful to hear it went away quickly post birth. I have a midwife appointment this week - maybe will ask about physio, though not sure what I'd do with DS. Did you ever try one of those support belt things?

Best wishes - been there. Are you seeing obstetric physios? Do you have a sup?port belt (some people find they help, others don't) Can toddler spend some time at nursery/chuldminder/friend/grandparents so even if you are there you don't need to lift? Bribe toddler to come to you, pick up things, etc. Go to stay and play, soft play, etc. Watch telly or play games together.
Do shopping online and sod the rest of the housework - sheets and clothes get less sweaty in winter!
Also ensure you get prescribed enough pain relief so you can sleep - 30mg codeine is available and other options, though some GPs may insist a consultant prescribes.
Hope something helps.

Haha less sweaty sheets and clothes - hadn't thought of that

DS does nursery a couple of mornings a week, but I don't have a car so to go and do other stuff involves lots of walking and jumping on and off buses with buggy - till now has been fine but increasingly difficult! Mum/family all work full time unfortunately. Maybe I'll see if a friend with a car fancies a group trip to soft play...

Will definitely look into a belt/physio. Hopefully a combination will help! And I'm going to push for proper pain relief. Up till now I've been a bit stoic about it but it's suddenly pretty extreme! Probably the weather.

December feels like a lifetime away!

Ah, me too. Pile of shite isn't it?

DHs share if the housework has got a lot longer. I would see physio they'll have all the different cushions etc you can try out, also I see a chiropractor which I think helps.

Acupuncture completely got rid of my spd pain (I actually went to try and hurry baby along, it was a surprising side effect!)

I didn't try the belt thingy. Just remembered another tip though, put a plastic carrier bag on your car seat, so that you can kind of slide from side position to front position or vice versa when getting in and out. All helps to keep your pelvis level.

Have just been through this exact same thing - I was on crutches from 20 weeks (my SPD was really bad the first time too though) and couldn't do much with DS1. We invented a really great game of "find as many...". I'd say: 'go and find as many blue blocks as you can', or 'find as many shoes' etc. It kept DS entertained for hours and we could do it while I sat down. Plus it helped him with his colours! I second what pp poster said about stories/tv - if it gets you through the day then do it. I spent too much time feeling guilty about not being able to 'play' with DS and now he doesn't remember at all

Hope you get something that works for you

Oh gosh muppet crutches from 20 weeks sounds like a nightmare...

Saw GP today who has referred me to physio and stocked me up with codeine, which I'm scared to take! Does it really make you drowsy?? DS will definitely decide to be extra silly if I'm the tiniest bit less on the ball!

Codeine makes most people somewhat drowsy but you can control the dose - with ds I was on 60mg 4x daily, with dd and needing to be non-stoned, I was taking it mostly at night and mostly half that.
Sleep is priceless!

If you are taking it in last week of pregnancy they may do extra checks at birth to ensure baby isn't drowsy but that's just in case rather than expected.