Is this pelvic discomfort the start of SPD?

[wolfhound]

30 weeks pg, with DC3.

Over the last 6 weeks, I've had an uncomfortable feeling in the front of my pelvis - where the pubic bone is (i think). The discomfort is gradually increasing. It feels as if my pubic bone is held together by an elastic band that is stretched too tight (if that makes any sense). Turning over in bed is difficult and uncomfortable. Also walking upstairs. And I feel generally very stiff from the waist down: getting up after sitting down is as though I'm about 90 yrs old.

Didn't have this in previous pregnancies. Should I be concerned? Since it's not too painful, should I just get on with things, or should I mention it to midwife (don't see her again for 4 weeks anyway). Don't want to raise problems unnecessarily as I want a homebirth and don't want MW to stop supporting it.

It sounds like SPD to me. I wouldn't just try and get on with things as if you do the right stuff you can make sure it doesn't get any worse - call and ask for a physio referral. SPD is not a problem for a home birth, hasn't been raised as an issue for mine at all.

Thank you very much MM - I thought I'd made a big mistake by posting on royal wedding day, and might not get any replies! I will call and ask about the physio referral - should I call GP or MW do you think?

Either GP or midwife can refer you, good luck!

Wolfhound - agree with others, sounds like SPD. I have it currently with second preg, had with first too. Would be good for you to get advice from obstetric physio, also pelvic partnership have some info on web. Keeping legs together much as poss!, sleeping with pillows underneath legs but also some treatment might help if pain bad. I am currently on crutches for longer distances (was with first one) and trying the Bowen technique (alternative therapy) with a male midwife who does this privately. Will post to let people know if helpful. Only one session so far, difficult to say for sure but think a few more bearable days than before treatment. Take care

Thanks cmm. Would like to hear about how you find the Bowen technique - don't know about that, will look it up on the web. Going to ring midwife on Tues after bank hol. Did you find it affected you during the actual birth first time round?

Hello
It does sound as though it is discomfort from your pelvis as your ligaments are becoming softer. An antenatal physio appointment would be good to advise you about dealing with the soreness now and positions to avoid during delivery but if you web surf you can find all kinds of scarey stuff so you may not want to.
I teach aquanatal classes and quite a few women have found some relief by doing my classes learning how to strengthen and use the muscles around their pelvis (which may be not so strong in the second pregnancy) to support the pelvic girdle. Exercise in water , in fact just standing in the water also takes the weight off the pelvic ring which some of the ladies love.
there is a register of aquanatal classes on the web.

The most important thing at this stage is not to push through the discomfort as it will just make the inflammation worse around the joint. So if it is uncomfortable, try to relax- don't carry heavy things, have a day without leaving the house if necessary. I've managed to keep mine relatively ok this pg compared to first by being really careful. I also built up the pelvic girdle muscles between pregnancies by doing lots of exercises and cycling. Oh, and we have a car this pg which has meant less walking when it hurts.

Good luck!

cmm, i have been having bowen for years and its the only thing that has ever worked for my back. for years i saw physio's/oesteos and no one could help my mild scoliosis and then saw my current lady who with a few exercises and treatments did what no one else could.

have been seeing her as put my shoulder and bottom of back out from constant puking, it has been helping but have noticed it taken me longer to respond (2/3 sessions instead of 1/2). be interested to know how you get on with it, fingers crossed for you

Thanks fizzyo and 4pudding, yes i think you are right about not pushing through it. since starting this thread, i have been being more conscious of it and trying to avoid carrying things (difficult with 2 toddlers) and keeping my legs together when moving around in bed/in and out of the car etc. it has helped quite a bit. i'm going to ring tomorrow for a physio referral. will try and find out about aquanatal too, as i might have a bit more time next month to be able to do that sort of thing.

really appreciate all your replies. because it came on so gradually i was just ignoring it for ages which was making it worse i think, so thanks for triggering me to stop doing that!

Hi, I have found all this really interesting. I am 32 weeks with my first and have some pelvic discomfort ( although sometimes it feels like my lower stomach and sometimes my inner thighs) it seems worse if I sit down for too long and I am more comfortable sitting with my legs open ( not dignified, I know!) I am worried as I still have 4 weeks left at work. Do you think this is the same thing?

Danilou, it could be but I don't know. Call your MW and have a word. I called mine this morning and she has referred me to an obstetric physio - she says it should take a couple of weeks for me to get an appointment (probably for a 'group session') From my googling, it sounds like it's quite important to know what to avoid during labour in order to avoid it getting worse. Will hopefully find out more at this physio session.