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.

Hi Woodifer - I'm 18 weeks and a bit. I just can't face feeling like this through pregnancy.

I have a NHS transfer and am looking into also going private. How did yours feel? What was the level of pain?

I feel like someone has slid a knife into my hip and I'm limping like anything, though I can still get around.

I was fine in my last pregnancy. FINE. sob! I can't believe 1 in 4 women put up with this.

I had a friend that had this and she bought a pregna pillo and said it really helped her get comfortable it didnt get rid of the pain but made a big difference.

Before my running incident - I would get some pain over the top of my buttock (on one side or the other - sacroiliac pain) when transferring weight from one foot to the other.

I had been doing some gentle jogging, but got a bit carried away running downhill one day (14 weeks) - didn't hurt while running - but afterwards - felt really bad pain in the front of the pubic bone (pubic symphysis) - which was really worrying!

I actually couldn't sit down for any time for a while, ended up putting my laptop on boxes on my desk at work so I could work standing up. Went to see a chiropractor - and got a good improvement form him freeing up sacroiliac joint on one side which was much stiffer than the other.

I'm not sure on the difference between PGP and sciatica - but you phsio should be able to diagnose you - becaues your hip pain sounds less like the classic PGP symptoms (although there can be all types of manifestations).

Other things which have helped have been doing lots of pelvic floor exercises (good idea anyway), and also transverse abdominal exercises (TVA) which help your local muscles hold your pelvis together.

Hi just wondered if anyone could give me some advice really, Ive been walking funny for the past week, my hips feel a bit painful and over the past two days Ive had terrible pain in my left hip it feels like ive trapped a nerve and my leg keeps buckling on me giving me the over all feeling of waddling away, does this sound like PD or something else entirely? I cant even get comfortable tonight its so bad

Oh, Im only 13 weeks BTW if that makes any difference? I know nothing!!

Hi there. Am 14 weeks today & have been having a burning pain in my R groin which is def worse after walking...am usually active & attempted a 2 mile jog last night. Had to stop due to the pain in my groin. Only my r side, though, could it just be groin strain? Seeing Gp in 2/52 & hoping for a Physio referral. I have had back trouble in the past though nothing like this in either of my previous pregnancies.

hotpot if it is PGP/SPD which are apparently the same thing, you need to see a physio asap. Make an appt with your midwife and she'll transfer you - or at least mine did.

woodifer thanks for the advice. Also really reassuring you went from being unable to sit down to functioning normally. pelvic floor is the old kegels isn't it? I'll also google TVA exercises.

Am feeling slightly less panicked and sorry for myself today. Yes DH may have lost his job, yes my leg may be trying to fall off, yes I may have a horrible damn sinus infection that makes me sound like a rhino, but it's sunny, my baby is starting to kick and I have a gorgeous DD and somewhere nice to live determinedly looks on bright side

Hi bean - I was high as a kite on cocodamol for most of my first pregnancy, but the week before I went into labour I was just knackered and stayed in bed for most of it, so not moving, so took much less. Then hormones kicked in as I went into labour, so I stayed in bed for a bit (started at 4am), then had a bath, then got on all fours across a pile of pillows for a couple hours, went to hospital and a TENS machine was great for the journey and admission process, was on all fours on supportive beanbags in the MLU enjoying the gas and air for a couple hours, then got in the pool which was wonderful especially with g+a.

Admittedly when I had to get out of the pool 8 hours later my pelvis had managed to get even worse (was in a wheelchair to get there), and that was when the MW suggested that as I'm allergic to pethidine, I might want to think about an epidural. Which was great. MrNC's job was to ensure my knees were kept close together, though the staff were very good.

Getting worse PGP in labour is very rare, too, so hopefully you'll be fine.

If you've got 30/500 cocodamol try taking one with an ordinary paracetamol or with a low-dose (8) one to make a lower dose. You can also get the codiene prescribed by itself so can then try breaking the tiny pills to the right dose for you.

thanks kenobi its not going away so I suppose id better do something soon

Just to let you know I had my baby boy by ELCS last week. All is well. I'm very sore of course from the wound pain, and have a slight touch of the old PGP still, but nothing like it was before the birth. Fingers crossed as time goes on and hormones settle it will disappear completely. Baby was 6lb 4oz and is doing well :)

Congratulations!!

Congratulations Iwill, so glad your hips are feeling a bit better at least.

I'm 39 weeks tomorrow and no sign of bub's arrival really yet. After 2 months of being semi house bound I'm really ready to have this baby though and hopefully get my hips back to somewhere near normal.

To all the recent additions to the thread, do get yourself referred to physio ASAP to get whatever help they can offer. I also highly recommend an osteopath and pregnancy yoga (if you can spare the cash - it was so worth it for me) to keep the muscles in your back and bum mobile so your body can compensate positively for the weakness in your pelvis. As well as a pregnancy pillow (long body length, I love my theraline one) to allow some comfort during the night. And do look a the pelvic partnership website too.

missusTulip and Woodifer how are you doing? I think we're all nearly due aren't we?

hope its soon elgolden! I am 38 weeks tomorrow. had midwife appt yest - and baby at brim - but not engaged - do they always engage?

The past week or two seemed a bit worse, but I was letting my tummy exercises slide a bit through being tired - so forced myself to do a few.

been particularly a bit harder at night - my up til now foolproof sleeping position, lying on one side, very side on with hips at right angle to bed - now gives a sore lower hip after an hour or so, and turning over pretty much means sitting up on edge of bed and getting back in. every time i have a set back it does seem to settle down - seems to come in hormonal waves for me, also maybe related to baby/bump growth spurts and adjusting to them.

finish work today - ready to from an energy point of view - but it feels weird!!

woodifer I find I have to have a folded duvet under the sheet to soften the duvet and have an extra pillow underneath my ribs and waist to keep my spine straight while I'm on my side so it doesn't pull my hips out of line (as well as a full length body pillow between my knees, calves, a bit under my bump and then to wrap my arms around). I still get sore hips after a while and have to turn (particularly the left hip which is the most unstable) regularly but this is my most comfortable formula - hope that helps

Ooh i already have doubled up duvet, and pillow between knees (well actually a cushion and a pillow). I tried supporting my bump/waist - but it seemed to put more pressure on my ribs - but i do hug a cusion to my chest as a kind of support.

There are scarcely any unused pillows/cushion in our house now as i construct my sleeping arangement :)

WARNING - MOAN ALERT!!

I haven't posted on this thread before, but been keeping an eye on it, and now just want a good moan - hope that's ok?!

Started getting SPD at c8 weeks due to already dodgy lower back and hips - the result of a physically demanding job for 10 years :( I managed through to 28 weeks without any help apart from the information my physio gave me. Then I had to succumb to a sexy maternity belt - joy

Now at 37+2 I am thoroughly fed up. I have to hobble about using a hiking stick. I find that walking helps ease it a bit, but not too much otherwise it all starts to ache, and the tops of my legs are awful!! But if I sit down for any length of time I seize up, and it's really really painful. The last few days I have developed a very painful, clicky and poppy left hip, it actually feels like it's coming out of its socket. I can't close my legs at all now, and walk around like John Wayne crossed with a 90 year old granny. Oh yeah, and the permanent feeling of being booted up the a*se. Turning in bed at night is a full scale operation with aid from DH - as my bump is getting so big too, and having to fight with my Fort Knox of pillows; and getting out of bed - well I have to use the wall to support me with DH pushing from behind (and yes have been doing the rolypoly legs over the side 1st thing) .

I know there's not much I can do, and I'm being induced on the 31st, so no point in making an appointment with the physio as I'll probably have given birth by the time there is space.

I'm thinking about succumbing to paracetamol, has anyone else tried this? And will it actually help in anyway at all? God all I want is a very stiff !!

Rant over - sigh - and relax!

39+4 here, still waiting!!! Might have had a show yesterday, not sure which got my hopes up things would start moving soon, but junior seems perfectly happy in my tum! Keeping my fingers rossed we all go soon and as easily as poss, els and woodifer!

iWill yey! Congratulations on your little boy! Glad to hear PGP is getting better

I'm pretty fed up of being more or less housebound too. Things have been worse over the last couple of weeks, with right hip back to being v sore and stiff and I can't twist on it or get up from chairs easily - have got stuck half up/half down a couple of times. Not too bad as have no energy or concentration for anything other than crap tv and reading, so can't complain too much! DH also being a pet, which helps a lot!!

stripymum - think it is still worth seeing a physio, even if after baby - just in case things don't pop back or there's a misalignment? YY to paracetamol, even otc cocodamol - I'm on prescription cocodamol but some people can't tolerate it cos it can make mum and bubs pretty sleepy. What about heat (packs or bath if you can get in out) or ice packs to sore arse regions? Glad you don't have long to go!

Hi to all the new ladies

Hi all, not been on here for a while so thanks to everyone who replied to my last post! Since then my SPD has actually been a lot better... 33 weeks now but my acupuncture is starting to really help. I would definitely recommend it to people (I am getting it free from the physio on the NHS). Still quite worried about the birth, as I tried some breathing exercises on my hands and knees at NCT last night... and wasn't comfortable at all. I think my knees are hating the extra weight :) Anyone know about other good birthing positions? xx

I finally got my NHS physio appt for next Mon - only 5 weeks after I first went to the midwife I'm glad I've been going private out of frustration in the meantime and it's stabilised. It's awful but it hasn't got any worse.

I asked my work insurance if they would pay for and they said no as it was 'pregnancy related and pregnancy isn't covered'. How's that for a big pile of f-- off?

Acupuncture on the NHS? sob!

Hi ladies a v quick update, I gave birth to baby Adam on 25th October 4.15am by emcs, 7lb 14oz. Long story. I seem to be one of the unlucky ones whose pgp worsens in labour .

Things have def improved since then . It's still there a bit but phew so glad it's mainly just cs recovery to get on with. Got home yesterday, v glad to be home but wow lots to get to grips with! Wee man is lovely and dh n I both totally smitten.

Congratulations Missus T!!

Congratulations MissusT!

Hopefully I won't be far behind you, I'm 40+2 and had some signs but nothing real yet - all my ability to cope with discomfort and pain of SPD is drifting away as I go overdue and become a moaning hormonal mess. Hopefully I'll be braver today and my labour signs will develop into labour itself!

thebean I've had some spells of contractions and find my birthing ball amazing, sitting on, rocking and also sitting on it while leaning forward onto something higher up. Get you partner to help you experiment.

Congratulations missus t! Delighted for u. Too bad it was emcs, but u can join me in the cs recovery process. Enjoy your wee blue bundle. elgolden I hope you don't hav to wait too much longer and wish u all the best when your time comes. X

thanks ladies. iwill, yep, I'lljoin u in cs recovery - ouch. hard to differentiate new cs related fun from pgp remnants, still there more than i had realised but still much better than pre-baby! Ladies, a word of advice - if ur pgp improves after labour and u have a cs, DO NOT overestimate what you can do now you can mobilse freely, as you will really bugger up your CS recovery and be in unnecessary agony

Hello all,

Baby Lincoln arrived into the world at 1.20 am on 3rd November, weighing a healthy 8lb 7oz.

The birth was the opposite of what we'd planned but we're both doing well. My high BP, and Lincoln being back to back when it came to labour meant that we ended up being continuously monitored and I needed an epidural. His position nearly led to a C section but with the last reserves of my energy and forceps and episiotomy he was born vaginally.

We're both recovering well and despite all the interventions feel like we were looked after really well.

The SPD is still niggling but loads better, I now just have my pregnancy pillow in bed (and that's more to ease the episiotomy soreness). I actually got dressed this morning with make up and everything and am hoping to manage a little walk after my midwife comes for our newborn check up. I guess only time and walking will tell with my hips but I'm feeling hopeful.

Good luck to all you other ladies