SPD - anyone else joining me on the birthing ball?

[elgoldenflower]

Hello out there, was looking for a support thread for those of us unlucky enough to have developed SPD and couldn't find a current one.

I'm 19 weeks (EDD 26.10.11) and have been aware of pelvic pain since conception (v mild at first) but it's steadily getting worse. I now can't walk more than about 30 yds without being sofa/birthing ball - bound for the evening.

My physio is fitting me with crutches on Monday as I can't avoid a bit of walking for my work (I run drama workshops all over the place so have to travel to them and I don't drive).

So far cycling's wonderful but I'm not aloud to use my bike like a mobility scooter as far as I know so cycling usually involves a bit of walking too.

Grr just wanted to be able to rant without annoying my v supportive antenatal thread.

Hey ladies,

I've been really poor at posting in here, many apologies.

I'm now 38 weeks and my PGP has been loads better than it was when I was 28 - 33 weeks, had a really bad spell then, and since then like I say it's been a lot better. I'm still wearing my belt when I'm out and about, otherwise I really feel it later, and do feel it the next morning, but I've not actually got loads worse, which was a real worry of mine.

LO is properly engaged (3/5 engaged) and very aware of the head being low down, and it's a bit more twingy at the front now, but I'm not taking painkillers anymore.

Hopefully everyone finds something to help them through. I'll be here a bit more now I think just to give support.

Lovely to hear of the births there have been.

I hope my post has come across as good and that it doesn't necessarily get worse, as opposed to it sounding like I'm all better now etc. I really mean it to be the supportive way I was aiming for.

Hi everyone, another newbie to this thread....
Was diagnosed with SPD/PGP just over a week ago after spending a week not being able to walk and hopping everywhere.
It's mainly in the back/bum area (sacroilliac joint). I am currently 34 weeks and am now under the care of a physio who has given me exercises and manipulates the joint to try and realign it.
Annoyingly, I have had symptoms since around 12 weeks om and off but didn't do anything about it because it wasn't that bad, then within 2 weeks it got so bad that I couldn't walk. Shame really as perhaps if I had caught it earlier it may not have got this bad.
I am now on crutches and have a support belt but nothing really touches the pain, especially in bed, as I am sure some of you know.
I do hope for all of us it goes away soon after we have our babies!

Thanks Iwill and MissusTulip - you're probably right. He had heard of SPD of course, and seemed to know all about it, but reading his biog on the clinic's website it seems he is more used to treating Premiership footballers than wobbly pregnant women. Given my unglamorous predicament I shouldn't wonder that he isn't giving me the best care. Trouble with BUPA is that when you phone up for authorisation they have no idea who to recommend so you just take a stab in the dark and hope for the best...

Yummymango, mine was gone within a couple of weeks, maybe even days of my last pregnancy ending. I had a c section though and only managed thirty six weeks if that has any bearing on things.

Isabella, I phoned the one my doc recommended, but their website was very sports oriented although it did mention pregnancy, so the first thing I did when I phoned was tell them I was pregnant, then kind of allowed them to 'diagnose' from there iykwim, because I wanted to know if they were on the right page.

Very envious of those of you reaching the end of your journeys and happy/sad to see others like me with a long way to go.

Is anyone going for another section because of this?

I'm hoping to avoid a section if at all possible! Last time the birthing pool was great (if undignified getting me in and out given I was using a wheelchair...), but when I had to get out 8 hours later my SPD somehow managed to get worse (incredibly rare, apparently).
The epidural was wonderful - they did think 18 hours later I would need a section but a ventouse got ds to pop out in one push!

So hoping for the same again only shorter. I recovered from the birth very quickly though building up muscle strength took a while.

Reading this makes me want to cry! my baby is now 7 months old and I still have PGP!
It disappeared as soon as she was born, and then 10 weeks later my periods started and it's got worse with each cycle! GP says it's hormones that will eventually settle! (I also have bad skin, greasy hair, crazy moods, heavy periods, and sweat in the night too btw, which is nice) so I asked to be put on the contraceptive pill, which seems to have calmed all those things down, apart from the effing PGP!
I've noticed the odd day or 2 where I don't wince as much, but I still can't do any exercise, and I'm the fattest I've ever been.
Sorry if this has scared you ladies, I just need a rant, and a surprising amount of people don't seem to understand, almost as if it's fake or exaggerated, ugh! and the amount of people who say "oh it's normal, i had that in pregnancy" no, no you didn't.
Just PGP off!!

I'm done.

Can I just add on a positive note that I was in established labour for 1 hour 25 mins (I know) and the midwife said it's probably the PGP that helped everything stretch easier and that's why it was such a quick birth. So not all bad! :)

Hi all,

Sorry not been on for a bit, although that's a good sign spd-wise! However, I'm now 22+4 and it's really sore at the front and also down my lower back into the spine. If I do anything, I suffer for it later or the next day.

I'm booked in with physio for a week Friday, but after the rubbish exercises she gave me last time I'm not sure how much faith I have in her. I'm off to order a belt.......

LaRagazza mine died down after having dd, but then flared back up but it was my sacro iliac joint. It was agony, far more painful than the spd! I had 2 or 3 sessions with chiro for a straightening out. Could you do that? The spd won't have done you any favours and labour and birth is very hard on the body. I'd always recommend a straightening out appointment or two post delivery.

Agh. Really never wanted to join this thread . Had SPD with DD and I'm now 27 weeks and can sense it's return. Mine is all in my pubic bone, although I've been having lower back pain for ages too--like trapped nerve-can't move pain. Helps when I rest, am buggered if I do too much walking lifting (ha ha with 2.11 yr old!). Shall be asking for referral to physio next week when I see my consultant and guess I better book in with acupuncturist....

My chiro has agree to manipulate in the next couple of weeks!!!! I'm ridiculously happy......

banana sorry to see you here. Do you have a support band? I had one with dd, but stupidly got rid of it and am just about to buy another one.

Hi Harassed. No, I don't. Can you recommend one? Do they help with pubic bone pain?

By the way ladies, I have this pregnancy pillow: www.kiddicare.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/productdisplay0_10751_-1_84322_10001?cm_vc=WeRecommendIO

And it works wonders for SPD pain.

Hi ladies - have been looking throught this thread, as I'm not sure whether I have SPD, as I have some of the symptoms, but seem ok during the day. Just wondering whether it's going to get worse, and if any of you think I may have the beginnings of it....
I'm having trouble at night, mainly - my hips ache quite badly, and even feel like they are cramping up at times. I wake up several times a night, and it does seem to be getting progressively worse. I do have a mattress topper, and a Dream Genii pillow, which seemed to alleviate the discomfort early on in this pg, but not so much anymore.
I woke up on Sunday with an achy hip, and even my knee was sore. I had a warm bath, then did a relaxation CD, which cleared up the aching brilliantly. Yesterday, I had some mild discomfort in my buttock, and a dull ache in my lower back. I have also experienced some twinges in my bump, but low down, almost in the crotch area.
My lower back feels achy today, but it's not uncomfortable.

I'm currently 33+4. Is it worth getting this checked out to get a support belt to ensure it doesn't get any worse? Or does it get worse regardless!!!!

I know that I am lucky that this is really mild so far - although the nights are getting increasingly uncomfortable. Some of you are having a tough time and I really sympathise with you.....

Hi Yummymango. Mine was SI pain when at it's worst, more than SPD pain, but I do have pain in both areas.

Alpine, I'm not going for a section, it's never been mentioned to me when I've spoken about the pain, AFAIK there is no reason to have it for me.

LaRagazza really sorry to hear yours hasn't gone and is getting worse, that really sucks. Feel free to rant away in here, you have PGP, it doesn't matter if you are pg or if you have had baby. And I was told by a midwife that having PGP helps stretch things so the birth should hopefully be easier.

Harassed (and anyone else that wants a recommendation), get a Serola belt, seriously, best belt in the world.

banana, hope you get a referral come through quickly.

lovemysleep, PGP can affect you in LOADS of different areas around your pelvic area. For me I got a bad hip, lower back pain on the one side, a feeling like trapped nerve in a buttock, pain in the lower front area and sometimes it feels like I've been sitting on a bike too long without adequate cushioning! Hot water bottles on painful areas for 10 mins - although not on bump - are good.

Well ladies I spoke too bl00dy soon the other day, must remember not to mention that it's feeling OK. Has been much sorer the past few days. Went for a walk last night, you know the whole I'm nearing the end of pregnancy lets see if a walk will bring bub along sooner, not a whisper of her arrival and much pain this morning, and boy oh boy you should have seen me trying to go to the loo the half dozen times in the night, hobble city!

Hi ladies, it's been a quiet week or so on the birth ball - I'm hoping that means we're all either resting and getting the benefit or feeling a bit better and finding life a bit less of a pain in the bum?

I had a productive week - got a load of outstanding reports and letters done, v satisfying! Then went on a jam making spree, mmm plum jam, pickled beetroots and have a maslin pan half full of apple puree sitting on the cooker awaiting me making up my mind as to whether to freeze it as puree or to experiment with making some apple butter (sign of being at home too much...). As a result, have been pretty sore and tired and had some period type crampy pains (I think brought on by coring and segmenting a bag of apples). Luckily resting up helped the soreness and the cramps. Have now got the lovely clicking and grinding from my pelvic joints, nice!

100years - hope you're recovered from your walk by now!

lovemysleep - I have a dreem geeni, I often feel like it doesn't do much until I try having a nap without it. Think the support has helped keep my pelvis aligned. Makes it hard to turn over at night, but I find I need to turn at least once every 2 hours or the hip I'm lying on gets extremely sore. Usually I wake up and do this but occ I actually manage to get into a deep sleep and don't... Some ladies on here recommend sleeping on top of a duvet too?

Any word on your physio referral banana? If walking is sore, sounds like crutches might help?

Sorry to hear you're still suffering la raggaza I think it's something most of us just try not to think about but it's something that does lurk at the back of my mind as a worry, the chance that this bastarding thing might stick around. Are you seeing anyone - physio, osteo, etc? Or in contact with the pelvic partnership? If I remember right there was a case history on there from someone who had awful prolonged PGD and what steps eventually helped her. I vaguely recall pilates being in there but I may have just imagined that...

hi ladies, not read everything yet, but just wanted to say hi!

I have my first physio appointment at 2pm. Hadn't realised I had PGP with DS, I just got on with it. Well, the pain is back and it's worse.

I haven't been diagnosed so there is a chance it is something else, but I am convinced.

Will write more later

My serola belt arrived yesterday!!

Omg it's good, the relief was almost instant . I have it on today and things are still sore but just feels better. Well worth the money, although I did get mine on Ebay £25.00.

Good luck with the physio supa, I felt my first one was a waste of time. Back there tomorrow so fingers x'd it'll be better.

One thing I was wondering, is that walking is quite sore and I'm quite slow now. Is there anything else I can do?? Work is also getting to be a pain as my office is upstairs and loo is downstairs..... 24 weeks today, and really want a home birth.

Thanks harassed

There wasn't much physio involved tbh. She confirmed i'm very stiff on the right side and everything i pretty much already knew. She said to start the pilates DVDs I have as that will help, and told me not to do too much or too little. I'm to go back in 2 weeks for a follow up.

Oh and I got me some SEEEEEXXXXXXYYYYYY crutches which I am chuffed to bits with because I really needed them last weekend. (typically i'm having a good couple of days!)

Neither of us mentioned belts....forgot about that!

Hi there, I hope you all don't mind me intruding to ask a rather strange question.

Can SPD/PGP be brought on by sex?

I am currently 35+5 and had sex with DH last night for the first time in weeks. This morning and all day subsequently, I can barely move. It wasn't exactly vigorous sex - is there a way to have vigourous sex at 35 weeks?!

So today, my legs all down the inside are killing, my tailbone area, lower back, hips, knees are all agony. I'm ok-ish while I'm moving slowly but as soon as I stop, try to sit down or try to get up I'm nearly in tears with the pain. I don't understand how it can come on so suddenly overnight so wonder if the sex has brought it to the fore?

I have a ball that definitely makes things feel easier but after about half an hour my upper back starts to ache then I can't win.

Had a bath and it felt easier for a bout 10 minutes after but not it's painful again.

I also have polyhydramnious so I have excessive fluid so am measuring at 40 weeks already so am panicking that if this is the beginnings of SPD then I'll have to put up with it at full term size for a whole month.

Sorry for such a long intro post, just wanted to cover all bases and make you all think I'm not here just to talk about my non-vigourous sex life

i've not heard of that alovely but i guess if you put any strain on your joints it could happen......

i had polhydramnious with DS1 and it was horrid. Waters started to leak a bit at 38 weeks and i was induced 10 day early SO BE PREPARED!!!

good news was I lost all of my 'baby weight' as it was nearly all fluid

Thanks for your reply supa. Well I think the sex just made me ache a bit as today I feel alot looser and in less pain so I must have just pulled my muscles or something. Feel a bit stupid for posting now!

I am trying to get prepared now, I have left things quite late I fear so now it's a mad dash to wash things and get ready. I haven't really put weight on anywhere other than this massive 50inch round bump. I feel like a weeble!

alovelybunch I think it depends on what position you have sex in as to whether it can affect your pelvic area. I know certain positions make it feel worse for me, so it's possible it might be a touch of PGP.

Am now 40+1 and waiting for the arrival of the LO!!! Am quite chilled about it all and happy. More discomfort when getting up from sitting or lying down, but generally I've not got worse and unable to do stuff. Have even been managing a walk a day the past week, maybe it's a mental thing that it's mind over matter for the pain nearly being over, but it's not worsened by the walking or the mahoosive low bump I've got.

Harassed, yep the belt is ace :)

Supa, I hope the crutches do help you out there :)

Tulip how far along are you now?

Hi Ladies,
Im 22&6 on my 2nd pregnancy. Never had a problem last time at all.
Have been aching on and off since about 12/14weeks. Never realised what it was until supa had mentioned it on another thread(waves to Supa).

Doctor confirmed PGP this week and prescribed cocodamol and referred me to MW. Saw MW the next day and she wasnt happy about the Cocodamol as it makes baby drowsy. She said to only take it when really suffering. Got Physio booked for Tuesday. It cannot come quick enough.

Iv read over the last few pages on the thread. Thank Goodness for MN!!
The mat pillow is already between my legs and the carrierbag is helping a bit in the car. MW told me to act like im wearing a short skirt which seems to be helping. BUT I keep getting worse as the week goes on. Iv got pain in the front, back and hips and make a lovely clicking noise when walking. This afternoon however im getting shooting pains and tingles from between my legs down the inside of my left leg. I feel like I have just given birth!

Hi shonno (waves back)
Loads of fab advice on here

well, my sciatic type pain has totally vanished since yesterday's manipulation at the physio's!

but now I have in it's place, a really horrid ache in the middle of my back, and no end of changing position relieves it. I think i'd rather have the other, at least if i sat still the pain disappeared for a bit!

never happy!