35 weeks with SPD, just seen the rudest doctor in the world!

[Hattiecat]

I need to vent my anger at having just seen a doctor who having read my notes (had spd written all over them) and hobbled in on crutches couldnt quite understand why i was asking whether there was any chance of bringing the baby slightly early. Her classic question was "are you on crutches because of anything to do with your pregancy!" Unbelievable. Fuming. Vow will never, ever go back to that clinic again. Doc completely told me reverse about labour with spd, have no idea what to think now. feel completely down about the whole thing.

Doctors general ignorance about SPD infuriates me too! I had it in my last pregnancy and basically had to diagnose myself. When I realised I had SPD, I went to the doc and told him and he just looked at me blankly as if I had made it up and then told me he had no idea what I was talking about!!

I felt so stupid. I finally mentioned it to my midwife and she was totally understanding and sent me straight to the hospital to get a belt.

Do the crutches help? I'm only 16 weeks so far and already having trouble walking so I'm dreading what it'll be like in 20 weeks time, although the belt helped a bit last time.

The crutches help a bit, but the best thing i find is to lie flat all day which is easier said than done - 6 year old daughter who is trying really hard to understand why mummy can't do very much for her etc etc, cooking tea and all that jazz. anyway, according to the lovely registrar i saw this morning it should all be a complete breeze and as for the labour bit - shut up and stop moaning!!!! huh!!!!!!

I really dont know why so many docs (and some mws) dismiss this condition so readily.

for you Hattie

Not long to go now though - the main thing is making sure your labour mw and consultant (if you have/need one for anything) know about it at the time.

The main thing to remember is that although they say its better not to have an epidural you can have one if you want to. The reason not to is so that you can feel that you are not overdoing it/overstretching the joint.

Its better to not be on your back esp with feet in stirrups (although obv with certain circumstances stirrups are pretty much required ie if you need forceps or ventouse).

However, i delivered half sitting/laying on my back holding my legs up with my last one despite the spd (and a sacro iliac malformation) and i was fine - it depends whats comfortable to you right there and then - you'll never know until you get there.

Some positions deemed better are delivering on your side with someone holding your upper leg for you, or possibly on all fours.

If you have problems afterwards after a few months of giving birth go back to your doctors and make sure he refers you to a rheumatologist.

HTH Hattie

Just wanted to offer you some support, in my first pregnancy I had sacro-iliac pain and a bit of SPD asked the MW about it and she said she had never heard of it they always wanted to write backache on my notes instead. Fed up of being told a bit of backache is normal in pregnancy (not at 15 weeks though).

Mine went more or less as soon as I delivered, have got it again this pregnancy.

Hope it goes as soon as the baby comes for you too.

Hattiecat - If its any consolation I found that SPD did not affect my labour at all.

Its really made me angry to be dismissed so easily - and it seems i'm not the only one after all your comments - thanks for the words of support - wouldn't have minded (as much), but the registrar i saw who is apparently not allowed to make any decision at all on anything (apart from whether she takes milk and sugar in her coffee - the midwife missed most of the appointment and arrived with a tray of drinks for them - clearly had different priorities to the ones i have!!!!!!!!!!!!! - given they were already running 40 minutes late i thought this was also untrue!!!!!!!).

thanks for your supportive words etc and advice - i think its the fear of not knowing above all!

I had spd from very very early in pg, my mw at the time was great and sent me to physio asap but since moving and registering in a new area they look at me like I'm the baby garbling rubbish to them infact all my new mw said to me was "well you know there is nothing we can do for that" !!!!!!!

Only a few more weeks left for me though so I'm not bothering arguing with them over it, also I have been told that in 90% of cases it doesn't make any difference in labour.

I also had it moderatly, my gp was brilliant and so was my mw. I was referred to physio who told me nothing could be done but they discussed with me how to try and ease it while pregnant ie bring legs together when getting out of car, walk up stairs one step at a time etc. They also gave me a support belt which I found eased it slightly sometimes.
TBH once I was in labour I was so focussed on the birth and loving the g&a that I didn't notice my spd! So in my case it didn't give me any extra pain etc.
I would advise you to make sure that your birthing partner is aware of your spd and that once you are giving birth they are your voice and make all around you aware....Some mw are oblivious and without thinking examine you or get you to get into all kind of positions...may not notice at the time but this can cause you problems after.Take things easy. Good luck.

I had SPD too and was on crutches for last few weeks but thankfully didn't have any problems during labour.
My physio advised me beforehand to measure how far apart I could comfortably open my legs (measure between knees), put this on your birth plan and make sure midwife present at birth is aware. It basically helps make sure that you don't overdo it without realising it.
Also found I didn't need the crutches literally as soon as I'd given birth!
Good luck

Write that you have SPD in big red letters all over your notes. Explain simply that you cannot be in certain positions, cannot move your legs apart beyond a certain point etc. If you are forced into positions such as legs in stirrups it's possible that permanent damage could be done. Make sure your birth partner knows all this and is confident enough to voice it if necessary. I gave birth with SPD at home - I felt much more in control there and able to do as I wished. I gave birth kneeling over the sofa - the MW tried to get me onto my back because I think she was unfamiliar with assisting births in this position and I just shouted at her No, I can't! That shut her up! Not long now. . .good luck.

Actually i should mention too that with my first i had an epidural (had been on crutches with spd from 34 weeks). When it evetually worked after three boosters my dp was stood next to me when they checked how dilated i was at one point and helped move my legs up the bed.

After they had checked he moved away to fetch something for the mw and my leg dropped off the edge of the bed!!!!!! It didnt do me any harm and as someone posted - the spd was infinitely better straight after giving birth (probably coz you lose at LEAST a stone in a few hours which helps!)

Never had SPD but you have my sympathies I can only imagine the pain but know what you mean about the ignorance/unhelpfulness of some medical professionals. I have a prolapsed disc and was told to stop moaning because back ache is normal in pregnancy by a midwife who seemed unable to grasp the fact that I actually have a back problem and this was more than the usual pregnancy twinges and that having an older child I know the difference. They even left me to go 16 days over knowing that I was in agony with my back.

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Hattiecat, I have spd in my 2nd pregnancy & I was fortunate enough to get a Fembrace, which is an elasticated support belt for this condition. I did get a bit of relief whilst bubs was breech for a couple of months but now she's head down it has returned with a vengeance! A physio told me that walking backwards is less painful, albeit totally inpractical!

Have you done a web search on it? If your consultant is crap then you need to swot up as much as possible so you can insist on getting the right care. Good luck!