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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Sacroiliac joint pain & SPD - your experiences/advice appreciated!

13 replies

cmm · 28/03/2011 18:50

Hi there

Am 26 weeks pregnant and started with SPD pain (over symphisis bone) about 21/22 weeks. However now also started with pain in buttock and down leg - seen an obstetric physio and apparently its sacroiliac joint. The front SPD often gives some shooting pain but worse this time is the pain in the butt!!!! Shooting pains and weak leg. (Got a 4 year old and had SPD when pregnant with her too and ended up on crutches at 30 weeks then).
Just wondering what experiences/advice anyone has, although have had a lot of support and from having last time know a little, but not as much about the sacroilliac part!

Things I've got/done so far are:

belt - just been given one today to stretch round back over bum and fasten tight over pubic bone.
told to lie down more than sit or when sitting do it for shorter bursts then get up move/lie down for a break.
got crutches today too for when really bad although wanted to wait till later to use if I can manage.
contacted an accupuncture therapist (he's actually a midwife too!) Just not sure when to start the treatment - some days really bad and can hardly walk sometimes and then other times not too bad and ok to cope with - has anyone tried accupuncture when at this stage and did it then seem to stop or reduce the incidents of big pain in the butt!!!!

Its always interesting to see how others cope with it as know there's a lot of people with it!!!!! Just need to keep getting on with things really as too early to be totally slowing up with a 4 year old and also am self employed but work from home thankfully!!!!

Many thanks for reading!!!!!

OP posts:

mummysweeangel1 · 28/03/2011 19:01

Hey CMM , no advise but can totally sympathise as i have EXACTLY the same- and even weirder- i am also 26 weeks !!

I had SPD when pregnant with my DS who is 2.5 years old , i took it early on - around the 4 months mark and was then signed off work when i was 7 months pregnant- crutches, support belt - you name it- didnt really make much difference

This time round the SPD started again about 3 weeks ago, but my left leg/buttock/hip has this horrible sciatic pain when i walk, its really painfull.

I had an antenatal appointment today and my midwife has said that i really will have to see the physio - but to be honest i dont know what good it will do. Especially when - like yourself- i have another young child to be "on the go" for.

But i am struggling now and having to get Taxis everywhere (i dont drive) Husband works 40 hours a week and i have nobody that can help me during the day as my friends all work.

I am counting the days now till the baby comes.

Hope everything goes well for you

CapsizeQueen · 28/03/2011 20:00

My physio has dramatically improved my SPD - I now hardly ever use the crutches (28 weeks) when at first I could barely walk even with crutches (18 weeks) - but I've had to work hard at the exercises I've been given, and have learnt how to take it easy so as not to aggravate it!

jellyhead188 · 28/03/2011 20:04

Hi - I've had it since 20 weeks its awful isn't it - I too had the symphis pain, my Osteopath helped a lot as did physio. The belt does help as it stops the bones moving too much - the physio and osteopath realigned me a few times which did really help. I was told by my GP I can use a tens machine - which I did today for the first time (35 weeks now), but only on your back - but its worth checking with your GP/Midwife as not sure at what stage you can use it from. also took Co-codimal till 7 months which helped when things were really bad. i sympathise, its so awful, I don't know how I'm going to do another 5 weeks of this!

SpannerPants · 28/03/2011 20:51

I'm the same but only 25 weeks, I have found that the osteopath has helped more than the physio (which was completely useless tbh). My GP has given me co-codamol which makes me feel spaced out but does help get rid of the pain at night, as well as making me sleepy!

8rubberduckies · 28/03/2011 21:39

Hi cmm I am on my second pregnancy and I have exactly the same sort of pain with my SPD and did so with my first. I am seeing a chiropractor regularly, and it has been worth every penny. I am still in some pain but it is not as bad as it was in my first pregnancy at the same stage and I feel a lot more mobile. She has given me lots of good exercises too.

I found NHS physio useless, and although I have been twice this time I won't be going again. I would also recommend getting a pilates ball to sit on (I have also got one for work as I spend most of my day sat at a desk).

MainlyMaynie · 28/03/2011 21:40

I feel your pain - literally! I've been really lucky and physio has actually made the sacro-iliac joint pain go away and since that was the worst the pubic pain feels manageable. My physio suggested that using the crutches early on for a couple of weeks can stabilise you and prevent you having them to use them later. That seems to have worked for me (though I'm only 27 weeks). I'm not sure how much use the support belts have been for me, but physio, crutches and regular yoga and aqua natal have helped a lot. It's a lot easier for me though, as this is my first and I can rest as much as I need to (when work lets me!). Just don't give up and think it's only going to get worse, it doesn't have to.

Original poster

cmm · 28/03/2011 21:42

Thanks everyone for all your comments.
What exercises did Physio give you as I haven't been given any?! Saying that have low lying placenta at the moment so not sure if that's why as not allowed to lift or strain stomach muscles! Being rescanned in may. They dont advise any manipulation cause of that too.
Do hope you all get a bit more relief soon, it can really drag your mood down can't it! Just keep thinking of the baby and when it kicks it reminds me to keep focusing on that! Difficult when you're in pain though. But when I look at my little girl know that she was worth it all!!!

OP posts:

Original poster

cmm · 28/03/2011 21:43

Meant to say, will keep checking in to see how you are all doing as a lot of you are around same stage in preg as me!!!

OP posts:

CapsizeQueen · 28/03/2011 21:58

Exercises:

Huge amounts of pelvic floor exercises and walking with bum tucked under and all stomach/pelvic floor muscles tight - everytime you walk.

Sitting on on an exercise ball and tightening bum muscles while heel/toe alternately with each foot

Holding the outside of the knees and pushing outwards for 10 x counts of 5

Putting something between the knees and pushing in for 10 x counts of 5

Rocking the pelvis forwards and backwards while holding a wall.

If feeling "lopsided", then getting the other half to pull gently on the leg for 5 x counts of 5, while "hitching" the hip up between pulls....

Original poster

cmm · 28/03/2011 23:02

Many thanks! Will ask about them re low placenta. If not perhaps wait till after scan and if placenta moves than could do them. Thankyou for all the support in these posts!

OP posts:

8rubberduckies · 29/03/2011 12:22

cmm I had a low-lying placenta during pg number 1, and was told that gentle physio exercises to help strengthen the pelvis and some gentle yoga (with a qualified pregnancy yoga instructor who understands SPD) was okay, but I understand if you want to double-check. I forgot yesterday to link to this website as well, which has loads of really useful info: www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk

harrygracejessica · 29/03/2011 12:37

I'm 33 weeks with twins and have outgrown all the belts they can give as my bump is so big. I've had SPD every pregnancy but this is the only one I've ended up on bed rest with, problem is with me I have a 4 year old and twins who are 2.5 to deal with too and my stomach muscles have split and I have sciatica too. Luckily I have 4 weeks left max but I cry pretty mch daily as it's 4 weeks too many :(

I was seeing an nhs physio who specialised in pregnancy stuff and she was fab but couldn't do anymore but once I've had these 2 I'm to go straight back and see her to get my body sorted for once :)

ninipops · 29/03/2011 13:09

22 weeks here and sounds like we have have the same problem. Had this with DC1 but much later in pg and not as bad so I just let it go as I was already on mat leave when it started. Just been to see the physio this am and got some stretches and general 'exercises in pregnancy' to do. No advice about belts/crutches/pilates balls but she did say that the joints in my pelvis are actually a bit tight for what she would expect at this stage. Luckily I have a crutch that I can and do use when the pain gets too bad. Got to see how things go I guess but like others now have a 14mth old so not able to rest as much as I think I need to (or would like to!).

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