SPD Help and advice

[GretnaGirl]

For the last few days I have had really bad pain in my pelvis and groin, it's especially bad at night when i try and turn in bed. Anyone got any tips with how to deal with this pain? Is it worth seeing the doctor, can they even do anything?

You have to try and keep your legs together!! So swing round to get in and out of car and bed. No heavy lifting.

I'd see the mw or gp as they can refer you for physio.

Thanks, I've just got over the sickness and exhaustion and now this...

Sleep with a pillow between your legs.

Avoid carrying anything heavy.

Avoid pushing shopping trolleys and wheeling bags.

Ask for a physio referral.

It can clear up or improve so don't lose hope.

Mine was awful for a few weeks and much better now that I take it easier.

Oh god I had this.

The best advice i had was to stand with back against wall and kind of roll your lower back against the wall pushing it in to wall so that your pelvis tips up. Do a few times a night before bed and in the middel of the night if it's been painful and it may help a bit.

If your doctor has even heard of it you're lucky.

Hi there Gretna

I am 20 weeks with my 2nd DC, and also have SPD again. How much advice do you want?! How many weeks pregnant are you? The GP can give you painkillers and refer you to the physio. The physio can give you a pelvic support belt, and may suggest you get crutches if it is bad (I am in a wheelchair now). When you need to turn over at night, you should try to turn 'under' rather than over IFSWIM? The physio can also refer you to occupational health who can raise your bed, and put a bed rail on it so that you can haul yourself up. Always get into the car bum first, and swivel your legs around keeping them together. Hope that helps? It is truly grim isnt it? (On the plus side it tends to get better really quickly after birth!)

Ooooh Lotta - shopping trolleys are so much worse than anything else - why is that?!! I have also bought a 5ft pillow from an ebay shop which helps lots as it goes between your knees and under your bump too! The pillow was here.

Thanks everyone. I did NOTHING last night then slept with a pillow between my knees and today it is much better. Narcolepsy I'm so sorry you are so bad and in a wheelchair, it makes my complaints seem nothing. I'm 23 weeks now and it's just started in the last 10 days or so and seems to be aggravated the more active I am so I'll have to be careful and do everything advised and hopefully it won't get too bad. The shopping is getting delivered thank goodness!

I second everything Narcolepsy said.

See you MW as soon as you can to ask for a referral to an obstetric physio and rest rest rest. And that ideally means lying down (but not flat on your back as that puts added pressure on your lower spine).

Lie on your side with a support between your knees and under your bump if you need it. If your bed is hard invest in a memory foam topper or put an old duvet under your sheet. Ideally your bed needs a firm core but needs a soft 2" layer on top.

If you need crutches then go for it - they really help.

Mine was soooo much better literally as soon as he was out but took a few weeks to be totally ok.

Hi Gretna.
Im 26 weeks with 2nd DC and am going through exactly the same thing! I told my midwife last week and got referred straight to a physio who I saw a few days ago. I was told by the MW to get on top of it cos it will only get worse.
I was told it is a simple case of some people producing more of the hormone relaxin than others and thats why some get it and others not.
Dont spread your legs at all so swing into bed and the car etc. try not to twist your spine at all so dont cross your legs in sitting or sit with your legs to the side and sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees should help. Also you shouldnt lift one leg at a time as this also pulls the pelvis, so when getting dressed sit down to put on trousers, socks etc and when walking up the stairs take one at a time. You can also buy bump bands and maternity support belts which are great for wearing out if you need to do some walking or lots of sitting as they support your back and bump.

I would still talk to your MW and push for a referal to physio. Good luck

see a chiropractor. Seriously, your midwife or doctor won't necessarily be terribly helpful.

But only see a chiropractor who specialises in this sort of thing.

There's a lot of misinformation out there and you need to make sure that you're not going to have something done to you which will make things worse because somebody 'thinks' they know what they're doing.

There should be an ob physio in your area who will be the best person to see. They will focus on the whole package rather than purely the skeletal issue (where in fact there may not be one).

My SPD was due to hypermobile joints so the physio was able to work with my muscles (or lack of, pah!). Seeing a chiro for that would have been a waste of time and money.

If you can't see a specialist physio on the NHS then my first port of call would be a private one. They will advise you if the issue is skeletal, ligament or both. Then at least you'll know what you're dealing with.

If you need any more practical help just post. There are lots of us who have suffered before and have worked out lots of shortcuts to help!

That's a good point button - my chiro is registered etc and specialises in pregnant women and babies.

My physio also said there was a link between SPD and hypermobility button. I think that we dont need the extra 'help' of the relaxin! Rest really is the best cure (although I am stubborn and insist on doing things I shouldnt). Are you working gretna? If so, how are you coping? The doctors will sign you off sick if you need it? I am currently battling with Kent County Coucil to get a disabled badge as they dont give them unless your diability is permanant. Doesnt much help when you are in a wheelchair for 6/7 months does it?!

Our council wbesite too said it had to be permanent but when I rang them and explained the situation (at a measly 4 weeks - you can see how terrified I am that it'll come back again!) the very nice man said that will take every case on its own merits.

So when it comes back (am convinced it'll be when not if!) I'll be ringing said very nice man to apply.

The hypermobile thing is a bit of a bugger no?

the pelvic partnership site is v good.

some great advice on this thread too.

if yours doesn't subside, it's a good idea to make sure the mw present at the birth is fully aware. I told mine how far apart I could comfortably hold my knees apart and she was really careful not to yank them any further, even when I was jacked up on pain relief and wouldn't have felt it at the time as it would have caused more damage later.

it usually does go really quickly after the birth.

Good luck with Kent Council, narcolepsy!

Thank you! Kent Coucil will give you a badge if you are on higher rate disability living allowance (which you have to have been disabled for 3 months to apply for, and the diability has to last for at least another 6 months). I am running an e-petition (and I only have to get 120000 signatures lol!) if anybody would be kind enough to sign? it is here

Cheeky to ask, I know, but I cant get out to collect paper signatures (as I havent got a blue parking badge...grrrr....rant).

signed

Thanks hero!

Thanks for all the advice everyone! I am working but it's an office job and there is a lift if the stairs are too much for me. I have used up all my sick leave in the first 20 weeks with sickness and depression and even though it's painful some days, being back in my normal routine and seeing friends at work has made life a lot nicer again. I'm seeing the midwife in 2 weeks time and if it is no better I will ask her my best course of action although just the tips you have given me regarding sitting/sleeping/moving have already eased the pain. (I have also told my husband I can't possibly hoover anymore!!!)