Avoiding going to bed aka torture chamber - SPD

[Jenice]

Feeling fed up :( 27 weeks PG and Suffering from SPD and although I am tired I can't face going to bed cos it is particularly bad then. I was at the physio 2 weeks ago and they gave me a support belt to wear during the day. The problem is that I have never had the slimest hips in the world and wearing it as tight as is recommended is biting into my lardy body. To add to that on one hip right where the belt is biting I have a large area of psoriasis which is further adding to my discomfort. I have stopped wearing it as often as I should but am worried I am going to make it worse. I feel so miserable with it all and the pain is worse each night. Any other recommendations???

I have a 2 year old DS who wont go to bed until I do usually, work full time and finding it hard to find time to take it easy and relax at all. tonight is the first night in weeks he has gone to bed before me. I feel like such a moaner but I am getting to the end of my rope.

You're not a moaner, you're just in pain. I remember feeling like this.

Having suffered myself I'd suggest putting a pillow between your knees when lying down, or even just the edge/corner of the duvet (I often found a pillow too thick) and on Monday go to your GP and get some prescription strength painkillers suitable for use when pg. I was on co-codamol and then co-dydramol from 25 wks onwards. On a good day I would only take them before bed so I could get some pain free rest and sleep and on a bad day I'd be taking them 4 times a day.

Does your physio do any passive manipulation realignment or have they just sent you away with a support belt, which are of limited use imho. Also ask your physio for crutches or get some from the Red Cross as keeping the weight off my pelvis avoided a huge amount of pain. By time I was pg with DC3 I got on them early (30wks), had left it way too late with DC2, use them as a preventative measure. Had 2 and 3 yo DC's too at time.

The physio never did anything except give me the belt and tell me to pull in my stomach muscles when standing up.

How did you manage the children? I keep trying to avoid carrying DS but somehow find myself in situations where I can't avoid it. I find mself just pushing through the pain because I hate admitting I can't do things or I need help. DH knows I have SPD but I don't let on how sore I feel because... well I don't know why but I prefer to paint on a smile.

I had spd and sciatica and it was awful. I also used to lie on a pillow. I had two other kids to look after. Looking back i dont know how i got through it. My gp refused to perscribe me any painkillers. I was at my wits end and begged to be induced but they wouldnt. On the plus side as soon as i had her the releif was instant. I was bouncing around maternity.

Jenice, you poor thing, i totally understand as i had this first time i was pregnant, it was terrible. I too was working full time at that point but my doctor eventually signed me off for the rest of the pregnancy (i was 7 months pregnant) and was told to rest as much as i could. Easier said than done with a 2 year old- i know now as my first is now 2 and i am expecting my 2nd - havent had the SPD pains yet, i am 18 weeks.

I was given support belt and it didnt work, i got the pregnancy pillow which was great but again, in bed, during the night the pain was often unbearable and i would have to get up and sit on the couch.

Get back to your doctor and explain that you are still in agony, they would be best to sign you off- and your employer cannot start your maternity leave any earlier than 4 weeks before the baby is due if you are off with a pregnancy related illness. You definetly need to rest up now to prevent it getting any worse.

jenice - ask to see an obstetric/women's health physio, via your GP if need be, not just a general one. they should be able to offer you more that just a belt. go and see your dr regardless as the m/w won't give you any painkillers.

how did i manage with the kids? - good question. lots and lots of cuddles on sofa whilst watching dvd's/cbeebies was key to my survival!

take care.

My physio was great abd has given me some excellent exercises which actually help - you really pull your bum and pelvic floor in as you walk, and walk "tall".
Also crutches during the day when going any distance..

But yes, I'm avoiding bed as well, and also can't wear the circulation-cutting-off-tubigrip!

I feel your pain, literally. The things that help me are:

• Hot water bottle between legs at night (yes really!)
• Paracetamol or Co-codamol before bed
• Lavendar oil or any other witchcraft type things to help sleep
• I could never get to sleep lying on my side with pillows between legs like people recommend. I can get some sleep lying sort of on my back but really propped up with lots of pillows, and more under my knees, I guess I'm kind of in the position you would be on all fours, but completely upside down IYSWIM. It might not work for you, but it's the best I can do and keeps my pelvis/legs/hips aligned as much as possible.
• If you can find a position where you're comfy on the sofa/chair etc. then don't force yourself into the torture chamber just because you think that's where you need to be a night. I am usually starting off in bed, until about 2-3am, and then poddling downstairs and re-settling on the sofa, and sleeping for most of the rest of the night. It's not perfect, but lying awake in bed and in pain isn't helping anything. Don't force yourself to stay there when it is achieving nothing.

D

Another one here literally feeling your pain! .

I am now 32 weeks with DC3 and have bad SPD - I had it with DS2 as well but nowehere near as bad. I got signed off at 6 months as I couldn't stand being in pain at work and was worried about making it worse further on in the pregnancy. It was definitely the best thing to do as I now find the pain much better, since all I mostly do is sit on the settee all day! I must admit though that DS2 is still in nursery full time which helps - I find it much harder at the weekends when he and DS1 are home too so you have my sympathies.

Firstly I would go to GP and see if s/he will sign you off. I felt it was being a bit cheeky but by God it's made a difference! It also meant that DH has actually realised that it is serious and painful as I think he thought I was making it up beforehand! He still makes the occasional comment like why does he have to do the dishes when I have been home all day.....but he is learning fast.

I also have the spare duvet folded up under me in bed, so it is softer on my hips. I have 2 pillows, one pushing against my back and one between my legs and under the side of my tum.

I did wonder about crutches but since I don't really do much now I think I will wait. I also don't wear the belt most days as it feels uncomfortable, but I do wear it if I do need to walk anywhere outside.

I am hoping it will disappear once baby is born, like it did last time....fingers crossed for you too!

Meant to say also, I am still working, but have now started taking some holiday days (am 37+3 but have been taking some days off since about 34), and having a rest makes a difference. Also saying no to things I can't do or things I will regret later! E.g. today a colleague asked if I want to go out for coffee at lunchtime. Normally I would, but I know the walk there (only 5 mins!) and back in the cold will mean I will suffer even more tonight, so I'm just not doing it. It's not much fun, but I only have a few weeks left and am just trying to minimise doing the stuff that I know will make me suffer later.

Also, cold really makes it worse for me, so make sure you're not letting yourself/joints etc. get cold and stiff.

D