SPD/PGP advice

[mookle]

Hi, I am currently 30weeks+5days preg and have been suffering with SPD/PGP since about 10weeks preg. Not terribly badly at first but has got slowly worse (not anywhere near as bad as some of the people I have read about on here but nevertheless)

My main problems are my hips hurt a lot over night and I'm getting little sleep because I have to turn over so much to keep taking the weight off each side, (the turning also causes pain in my pubic bone) my tailbone is incredibly sore and certain seats I cant sit in for very long at all(inc my car seat), and walking, bending, standing for any length of time causes pain all over (back, hips, pubic bone) So I feel like I cant win as sitting, walking, standing and lying down all have their own probs!

I am having a C section at 39 weeks so only have another 8 weeks or so to go but I dont know whether my best policy is to keep moving around or try and do less!? Does moving about with SPD/PGP aggravate it or not? Not sure what to do for the best. Any other tips on managing it would be gratefully recieved!

TIA

Mookle - see my thread on SPD, "SPD is killing me, any advice?"

There are ideas on there you may find helpful, but I know how you feel!!! Use pillows for supporting your legs in bed and whilst sitting so they don't "pull" your hips/pelvis.

Speak to your midwife, see if she can get you into hydrotherapy somewhere. Use a plastic bag on your seats to help you slide off rather than push off.

Get some painkillers or use a TENS for short bursts, but PLEASE get the ok from your GP first, I did and they said fine even though it can bring on labour!

If you can, try ice packs on your hips and warm gel packs too, alternate them.

I'd say rest rather than keep moving, can you get to see a physio?

Good luck with your section.

Thanks Mouseface - I read your thread - yours sounds horrendous, far worse than what I'm suffering. I really feel for you!

I have seen a physio and she gave me a support belt thing and some excercises to do but just said theres not a lot I can do about it. Cause its not AGONY I dont really want to take painkillers yet, just worried I may make it worse by either not being mobile enough or being TOO mobile! The plastic bags are a fantastic idea. Ive been wearing sliky nighclothes for the same reason - helps me slide about rather than pushing movements in bed.

Physio never mentioned hydrotherapy but I will look into it. Thank you so much for your advice

Mookle

You're welcome. Even if you can get to a pool and just float for a bit, NO BREASTSTROKE! That will make you cry for sure, it kills!

The water will support your weight but you'll feel heavier when you get out cos you are pg and your gravity gets a bit confused so get out slowly.

Rest is the only thing that will really help.

Do it while you can!

Good luck with the baby.

faints at idea of breast stroke!

Its actually been terrible today, it started getting quite bad yesterday, couldnt really stand for long or bend down and was trying to get "jobs" done around the house. Today struggled to walk from car park to DS's school! Am now thinking Oh Shit! But at least only 8 weeks to go. It seems to have gone really bad over night. Does it tend to just get worse and worse or can you have a "bad" day then it goes back to less painful? hopeful

I feel your pain mookle. i had horrendous SPD when pg and my mw referred me to physio, I found the exercises awful. The physio gave me crutches to use (DS born at end of Feb 2008) so had great fun trying to use them on slippy floors, but they did help. She showed me how to use them as 'leaning posts' rather than pushing on them iyswim. maybe ask your physio about that? for the 2 wks before DS was born, I had th use wheelchair if i was going further than about 50yds
the pool is awesome cos the weight seems to disappear - getting out is not nice tho! its all worth it in the end

Hey Mookle.

It got worse for me as DS got heavier. I was on crutches from 22 weeks, and still am! Bed rest at 34 weeks. Not great with DD to look after!

I know you're thinking "OMG!" but don't. You will have good and bad days but it is possilbe it could get worse too.

You can take paracetamol and not do further damage. Please think about that. Just to take the edge off.

How are you sleeping? What about a warm bath?

What do you find helps? Have you spoken to your GP or MW yet?

Thanks for replies.

Mouseface - I have seen the physio after being referred by MW but that was at about 15 weeks pregnant. I got given a support belt thingy by her but she basically said not much I can do about it. I think I will mention it again at my MW app tomorrow and see if she suggests I return to physio.

I have found warm baths help a lot and that things are usually worse in the mornings until about dinner time. I have been slightly better today than yesterday so thats good. Sleeping is not great as my hips get so painful and turnings causes pain in pubic bone. I had diastasis recti after DS too - does this affect the PGP/SPD? I never really got that sorted and have a permanent pot belly despite being really thin everywhere else.

Not sure about the recti...... ask if yo get reffered back to physio again.

Make sure your MW listens to you.

Good luck x

midwife was v.sympathetic and insisted I take paracetemol 2x4times per day and have to return in 2 weeks and if no better she will get codeine prescribed and poss refer back to physio.

Hopefully paracetemol will help!