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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

SPD. Any tips on how to relieve the symptoms?

11 replies

excitedmummy2be · 09/09/2010 13:58

I'm 32+3 and midwife has just told me I have SPD. I struggle with alot of hip pain and pelvic pain. She has referred me to a physio but I wondered if any of you who have had this have any tips on how to make it a bit better?

OP posts:
oldmum42 · 09/09/2010 14:30

I have this too. First, sleep with a pillow between your feet and knees, you can buy extra long ones or sew two together, as longer is better!

If you drive, the position of the right leg, and moving it from peddle to peddle may cause a lot of pain, in my case I thought I'd have to stop driving, but found a bolster cushion (about 2 foot long, diameter about 6 inches, fairly firm), at the front of the seat, under the knees, pushes the hip joints back into a better position - so I can drive without pain.

Be VERY careful turning over in bed, getting up, bending over, don't do anything "high impact" (even walking is not great at my current stage, 33 weeks).

But take heart, I had this with all three previous pregnancies, and it does start to resolve within days of giving birth.

oldmum42 · 09/09/2010 14:33

oh, and if you have joint hypermobility syndrome (for example do your knees/elbows bend further than normal?) take what the physio tells you with a pinch of salt - unless he/she is aware of the consequences of this condition, you may be given unsuitable advice.

KnitterNotTwitter · 09/09/2010 14:39

Pilates / Core Stability exercises helped me...

Turning over in bed was the worst!

N

Cakemuncher · 09/09/2010 14:55

You may or may not like this one depending on your views on taking paracetemol...

Physio told me that a one off dose of paracetemol (two tablets) will have no effect. Ideally, with SPD, you need an anti-inflammatory - which obviously we can't have. She recommended taking a course of paracetemol (not exceeding your recommended dose). The midwife was fine with this. I was very reluctant and up until recently have avoided paracetemol as much as possible. However, they are safe for the baby and I have started to take two two to three times a day and I have to say that there has been some improvement in the pain. It has not cleared up totally, but there is some improvement. I have also found that rest is the best thing for it. I hate not being able to get out and about. I was never a gym bunny, but I would have liked to fit walking into my pregnancy routine. Rest up as often as you need to and work on the core muscle buidling exercises that your physio will probably give you - these include kegels so you are helping out your waterworks while you do it. I bought a gym ball, but I hate using it. Some people find they really help though.

As I said, fair enough if you don't want to go down the painkillers route.

KnitternotTwitter, I agree, turning in bed...urgh. Makes me dread going to bed at times.

partyhats · 09/09/2010 14:57

Turning over in bed is the worst thing for me but got out my silk pyjamas the other night and have had the best sleep in ages. The slipperiness makes it much easier to turn over.

ANTagony · 09/09/2010 15:06

I had this badly with DS1, but after 6 months with a physio was okay with DS 2. This is what I remember....

Support pants and a support belt to spread the load.

Don't slouch on the sofa. If possible sit on a chair with plenty of firm support around you.

Take medication for managing pain and inflammation but under GP advise.

Absolutely don't push trolleys, pushchairs or wheelchairs as this puts lots of load on your hips.

Avoid driving if possible.

Avoid carrying things if possible.

Ensure you stand up straight and don't favor one leg or the other (I did and ended up very lopsided hence the 6 months with a physio).

I found the yoga 'cat' position helped relieve things a little where I knelt on all fours and arched by back gently holding for a count of five and then gently releasing repeating a few times.

As others have suggested my pain was significantly better once DS was born.

See if you can get a physio you can get on with and they'll help you through.

Cakemuncher · 09/09/2010 15:14

ANTagony, that's a good tip on favouring one leg - I am definitely doing that right now. I will start giving my left one a shot. Cheers!

robino · 09/09/2010 15:21

Can you afford to see a chiropractor? I saw one who had done an additional course in ante-natal chiropractic. Started in the April at 6 months being VERY uncomfortable and having a 15 month old to run around after; after just one session I felt much better. My mum saw me and said that she hadn't realised just how bad I had been until she saw me moving much more freely. I continued having sessions right up until the birth and was very nearly pain free after a couple of weeks.

Am 18 weeks pregnant again, no signs so far but will definitely be calling her again if I need to. I would go pre-emptively but at the moment unfortunately finances are distinctly dodgy.

excitedmummy2be · 09/09/2010 16:26

Fantastic! Thanks for all the tips ladies. Will definately try them out. I'm so uncomfortable most of the time and turning in bed is horrendous... So quite excited that there may be some relief in sight!!

OP posts:
japhrimel · 09/09/2010 16:38

Physio is great IME but it does require lots of repeating the exercises, so can take a couple of weeks to feel any difference. I find a ball very helpful to do the exercises on.

I'm also finding specialist massage (Myofascial release) very helpful.

I've been doing gentle exercise (walking, pilates squats and swimming but no breaststroke) in the pool - I find that as the water supports my weight I can do a lot more in there and it gives my pelvis a rest just to be in the water.

Learn how to engage your pelvic floor and lower ab muscles and try to do this before doing anything, e.g. getting in/out of bed/car, getting up from a chair, using the accelerator in the car.

Painkillers work best if you take them before the pain gets bad and if you take them regularly, so take the paracetamol if it's okayed by the midwife/GP. And you can have codeine too if needed (but def check with the GP first).

Avoid slouchy chairs or any chair where your knees are higher than your hips, or where the rim of the chair is higher than the seat part (like some cafe chairs) - take a cushion with you when out if this is an issue.

Rest with your legs up whenever you can. Sitting in a chair doesn't relieve much pressure from your pelvis - you need to get your feet up.

Be careful with your alignment in bed and always use a side sleeper pillow.

I didn't find stretchy support pants/bands helpful but that's because I have hypermobile hips and they put pressure on my hip joints, causing them to partially dislocate. I haven't yet tried a physio belt.

Good luck!

ledkr · 10/09/2010 15:36

osteopath and acupuncture made mine bearable until the end no crutchrs or wheelchair.

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