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.

some good exercises :)

www.bookieboo.com/profiles/blogs/exercise-for-symphysis-pubis

Not having a stunning day today. Was woken at 4am by ds coughing then running across landing to vomit in the loo (he's well trained ). We live in a 3 storey house so I leapt out of bed and was half way up the stairs before my mind kicked in and I remembered that I can't actually do that!

So I'm suffering for it today - even cracked and have taken my cocodamol

Ah well, off to SiL's house for w/e so I'll get looked after there, even if I have to drive 3 hrs to get there...

Ooh ouch Buttonmoon!

Hope you're both feeling better soon.

MIne is pretty good at mo - APART from in bed - arg!

There are lots of things I can do at the min without aggravating it.

I can do stairs (as long as not too big)

I can even do squats (and quite wide) as long as weight is evenly distributedbetween both legs

It's parting my legs forwards/backwards - rather than sideways which does me.

I can't do the sensible lunge way of picking things up from the floor for example (that is meant to protect your tummy muscles)

Can cycle, can swim crawl - phew!

That's impressive woodifer! Scissor actions are out for me too but then squats are totally out too!

Well intentioned people keep telling me I should be trying al these odd positions to help baby turn from breech, and doing pelvis opening exercises. I normally smile sweetly and nod whilst thinking 'ha ha ha'.

Just occasionally I show them my collection of lycra, neoprene and tubigrip that keeps me together. Pelvic opening is not high on my agenda currently

Oh, and thank you. DS is fine - was purely coughing induced. Even went to school this morning. Which is a blessing considering how I'm feeling!

Not a good day here either. This is the first morning I've woken up with aching hips where the pain goes right down the legs :(
Have things I wanted to do and needed to go out, but just can't. All I could do was fill the bath and get in with DD....spent 1hr 15mins in it!! Passed the morning for us, although couldn't really have the water hot enough to benefit me 'cos DD (2) was in it also and she kept saying "hot, hot". Now DD asleep so I'm gonna take a lie down while I get a chance. THink I'll be reaching for the paracetamol before long also.
Will check out those exercises later....

I had a good day yesterday and thought it might be easing, but no - it was just that I hardly had to walk anywhere. Today I've walked maybe half a mile on my crutches between buses and trains and work and I'm very sore. Thank goodness for the crutches though or I'd be stuck at home!

I'm going to try to go swimming tomorrow, hopefully the water will ease the pressure on my hips. Really want to try to keep some kind of physical activity going. People trying to be helpful are going - you should keep exercising, try yoga, it makes it much more difficult in labour if you lose your strength - er thanks, I know that's what's so f*ing depressing about all this: that I can't stay as strong and healthy as I'd like and prepare properly for baby and labour. Really wanted to get into pregnancy yoga but it's out of the question now.

I find I can handle the pain but it makes me grouchy but it's the , ooh maybe I could mooch and see if there are any baby clothes sales now we know we're having a boy - er no because I'll just regret it. That's what's killing my cheeriness too.

I was in quite a lot of pain and discomfort the other night, unable to find a comfy position to relax in and was getting really crotchety when DP made me take some paracetamol and it was like heaven being able to sit pain-free and move without flinching while I relaxed and moved around the house. Think it's a must for achy nights before bed if I'm to get any decent sleep.

Pregnancy yoga might help you elgoldenflower, if you can physically get to it? My teacher is very conscious of what I can and can't do and tailors exercises to help with my hips. If it hurts, I don't do it, but there are still things I can do and the relaxation bits really help. My main problem is that I just can't get comfy sat on the floor!

Hi Ladies, I'm just saying hi, and will be joining in here properly soon.

Am 28+1 and have had this for a few weeks now, some days is a lot better than others, I switch between walking like one leg is longer than the other and walking fairly normally but slowly at the moment. I feel like I'm waddling, to which my Mum replied oh you can't be waddling yet.. Hmmmm well it feels like I am and I have no choice in when the waddling starts! Bed is interesting! So it's a case of waiting till wednesday to get the exercises and see how that goes. Oh and to top it off, I've just started with this weird feeling which is making the upper outside of my one thigh go numb and burny, it's not pleasant, and I shall be asking about this when I see the physio, I think I know what it is, and I don't think it's related to the SPD/PGP, but it makes for a weird combination.

HI all fellow SPD/PGD ladies! FIrst pregnancy and have had PGD (started in sacroilliac joints, so back and hips) at week 8, now week 20 - pretty crummy. GP saw at time didn't know much about it and said I had to wait for midwife to refer me to physio (physio appalled, not true) so this added about 6 weeks onto wait time (I'm sure this actually is shorter tha some waiting lists tho). Physio gave me a belt/corset which helps if I have to walk or be on feet but otherwise can be instrument of torture! She also gave me crutches. I've had mixed results with pelvic manipulation - once = good relief, second time = increased pain with no let up. So be aware and don't persist with manipulations if they do end up hurting!! Best thing so far: 1) being signed off sick by GP to rest for a month (up soon, eek); 2) a dreem geni support pillow at night (tho sore legs); 3) acupuncture which actually gave me 2 pain free days this week. I see a trained acupuncturist privately (don't seem to do it on NHS locally) once a week and she works on my hip and leg (gall bladder meridian and pain gate). Last week she tried cupping - ouch but possibly what helped over the week?

So I do def recommend a trial of acupuncture. It won't help the instability or the pain caused by using/stressing the joints but I've found it v good for pain management.. Hope that ramble helps..

elgoldenflower, I have the Tara Lee pregnancy yoga DVD and that has adaptations for SPD on. I was managing to do it until a couple of weeks ago when the baby's head moved too far down and now getting onto the floor is too uncomfortable!

I'm still managing aqua natal, with some adaptations, and although I can't swim properly, I go to the pool quite often just to move around and float. Just think of the amazing shoulder muscles you're going to have from the crutches!

100years, I've had that numb patch and it was related to SPD. The chiro seems to have fixed it for me though!

Mine isn't great today, especially on the left side. I can feel the baby's head wiggling down there, putting extra pressure on!

woodifer I find back to front motions worse that sideways too. I also find breaststroke legs easier than front crawl legs in the pool, not that I can do either properly anymore!

buttonmoon I can manage holding onto the side of the pool and doing very controlled breaststroke legs, which is supposed to be good for getting the baby into a good position. I keep doing it as I have anterior placenta and don't want him to turn back to back. Ouch on your running up the stairs, it's amazing how little it takes to aggravate it for the whole day.

Hello. Just joining. I'm 9 wks with dc2 and getting twinges. I had PGP with dd and am keen to get on top of it quickly this time. Have got a GP appt on Tue to ask for a physio referral.

I emailed the Pelvic Partnership and they directed me to an article on their FAQ page about finding a good manual therapist. My physio with dd was very hands off, but this seems to say that pelvic manipulation can be really beneficial. Does anyone's treatment involve this? I was thinking about asking my friend's sports masseur about it while I wait for the referral.

Hi, glad to have found you all. I am 38 weeks and have only suffered for the last 2 weeks but have really suffered! In my SI joint, seeing chiro twice weekly (and having to live on cheap pasta as chiro so expensive!) and having to use crutches to walk anywhere. Really fed up so don't know how I would have coped if I had another 20 weeks to go! Also worried about labour/birth and being able to stay active (or indeed move!) Will be second DC so hopefully easier though. Good luck to you all who have much further to go than me.

I'm off to the osteopath this morning so will report back later

MainlyMaynie Thanks, I had done some reading and thought it was due to trapped nerve so didn't think it could be related. I will more than likely see a chiro once I've had the physio, will ask them for recommendations to try.

We had a long journey yesterday and some walking around the town and am suffering a bit this morning because of it. Some days it's just the little stingy feeling at the bottom at the front, other days it's full on hurty. Also getting back pain on one side, low down kind of if you put your hand on your hip at the front it's at the back at that height. It's on the same side as the numb front of leg thing too. So think I'm all out of line. Feel like I'm falling apart!!

Hi, i don't think it has been mentioned yet but my chiro has said use an ice pack on the pain for 15 minutes every hour, as well as paracetamol every 4 hours (up to 4x daily). The ice is like magic, it seems to ease the pain instantly. I am quite addicted to it. Hope this helps someone. I am going to our village show this afternoon in a wheelchair! Been hobbling on crutches but really want to go as so much for DS to see and think it will be too much on crutches. Not looking forwards to the experience but will be worse not to go!

Hi All. Just popping in to say hello. 33 weeks tomorrow and have been suffering for a couple of months now. Had a really, really bad week a couple of weeks ago where I spent most of it on crutches but then had 2 quiet days at home and I've been fairly ok for just over a week. Yesterday though the pain started up again so not out of the woods yet. Like many of you, it's not the pain I find most difficult to deal with, it's how limiting it is. Some friends want to do something this weekend but what can you suggest when you can barely walk and even sitting hurts?! Got quite grouchy with DP about it and have decided to go to theirs and take the crutches in case they want to go for a walk somewhere (they have a lively dog and we have a lively 2yo!). Not fair to spoil everyone else's fun!
Last week at work this week and am determined to spend the next 6 weeks bouncing on birth ball and doing pilates DVD (recommended by physio - it's the Australian physio one). Too achey and knackered at the end of a work day to do it so far as I have a 2 hour commute - not going to miss that!
Can I ask - does anyone feel a bit stupid on their crutches? I feel really self-concious and embarrassed by them so haven't used them unless it's really bad which is probably dumb, but it's so complicated to explain what's wrong and people probably just think I can't cope with being pregnant! Am I the only one?
Anyway, good to meet you all and have someone to share the ups and downs with. Hope you all have relatively painfree weekends!

philbee my physio is big into hands-on manipulation. I get it every time I have an appointment with her. She does it because she checks my alignment at the beginning of each session and every time I'm mis-aligned, I just seem to slip out of line each time. It can hurt at the time and it's agony for a few days after, but then I always seem to have a few days relief after that.

did you go for a swim, elgoldenflower? I did this morning. So proud of myself and it lifted my spirits. Only did 10 lengths, but that's enough of a start for me. THen wallowed and floated for a while....bliss :)

misstulip good to know about acupuncture helping....my physio is on holidays for most of the summer so don't know what I'm going to do without her....will look into acupuncture if I feel I need it to keep me sane in the meantime

Must try the ice packs EITYF recommends

My aim for the day is to get through without any paracetamol.....wish me luck! :) Hope the rest of you are having a good weekend.

iWILLdothis, why are you trying to go without paracetamol? I don't think it will do any harm(?) and it is better to stay on top of the pain. I didn't bother taking it for the first week but now I am taking it 4 hourly, it really helps improve my day to day pain levels.

minicorrect Yes, today is my first big outing in wheelchair, which Dh will use TO get me to the show, then will use crutches around the grounds. Dreading it but as you say, don't want to spoil anyone else's fun (or mine) by staying home. Will let you know how humiliating it is to be crippled by such a small thing as pg!

I had SPD during my first pregnancy. Started about 20weeks and got progressively worse. Absolute agony for last 6 weeks. Didn't help that DD was over 10lbs. I'm now pg again, but only very ealy stages. I'm dreading the first few twinges and think I can feel them already even though I'm only 5 weeks. Think I'm being silly.

I may very well be joining the thread soon. I have heard that chiropracter is a good idea?

All the very best to those have this, it can be very nasty but at least goes back to normal for most people after the birth xx

EITYF....I know paracetamol is the only pain relief we can take in pregnancy and they say it is harmeless, but I keep thinking it would be better to go without. Probably me just being silly? I did end up taking some 2 hours ago as I was near crying with the pain, after such a having such a good morning. So do you take it 4 times a day every single day then? It does wonders to lift my mood and make life bearable.

Curly you are not being silly, nor are you just imagining twinges. I felt it pretty much from 4wks onwards. Was sore for about 3 wks, then died down, then came back with a vengeance from about 10/11wks. I mentioned this to my physio, thinking it sounded ridiculous, but she said it's due to massive hormone surge at the very early stage that you're at now, then another hormone surge a few weeks later. I recommend you get a physio referral immediately.

iwilldothis, I don't take paracetamol either. My SPD started so early that I didn't want to get into the habit of taking paracetamol early on and then needing to go onto something stronger towards the end. I know it's supposed to be safe, but I've always just thought if I can keep managing I will. I took it once for a headache that wouldn't go away and I found that the impact on the most painful things wasn't enough to be worth it anyway.

curly, I can't remember exactly when mine started, but I do know I mentioned it at my booking in appointment!

minicorrect, I felt weird with the crutches to start with. The worst bit was going into work and having to explain to 100s of people on the first day! I use them all the time though and don't really think about it anymore.

I have been taking it four hourly, daily for just a few days but I am very glad I am, it really helps. However, I only have about 10 days til EDD so may have felt differently if I though it was going to be more long term than that.

Went to village show in wheelchair, then used crutches and it was fine. No one stared much and I didn't really care anyway as I realised quickly what an incredibly stupid idea it was - tramping around a big field is quite differnt to pottering around my house on crutches - duh! Quite broken since coming home so DH took DS out to McDonalds and brought me some back while I lay on the sofa - all standards seem irrelevant when I am in so much pain! Currently on birthing ball with ice pack and recently dosed with paracetamol so feeling better!

Hi all, I'm another October lady joining this thread. I'm currently 20 weeks pregnant. I've been waddling for about 6 weeks but I put it down to my bad back. This last couple of weeks the pain in my hips and groin has got worse and after reading elgoldenflowers descriptions of the pain I realised what it was. I spoke to a midwife about it on Thursday at my scan and she said to try putting a belt tightly round my hips to see if it helped. I actually put on some rather tight pregnancy jeans instead, but the relief was instant! I'm going to phone the Midwife Monday to see about a referral for physio.

I'm lucky that I work in healthcare and I sit with the physio team, so I'm going to be getting their advice, as far as they can give it. Pregnant ladies aren't their speciality.

I'm also lucky that I have 2 jobs, a nice quiet office based job, and a very busy on my feet all day support work job. I've already been off sick for the heavy job with back pain so I decided a few weeks ago that enough was enough and tomorrow is my last shift before A/L and Mat leave start.

I had imagined a nice lazy summer, working 3 days a week and having lots of camping trips and days out with DD.... that may not happen now. But at least I'll be home.

Discovering what works for me and what doesn't:
Tight belt makes the stinging pain at the front worse and more persistent
Birthing ball makes my hips ache a bit more, have a feeling it's separating things
I have to rest as much as possible - just get used to being in the house on days off and letting my DP do the lions share of everything.
My Theraline pregnancy pillow which I couldn't sleep without, allows me to sleep comfortably on my side, goes between my thighs/knees and lets me keep my hips aligned comfortably.
A Duvet folded under the sheet in my side of the bed, the softness reduces the hip aches in the night.
My crutches, without which I'd be truly housebound. They allow me to walk short distances, from home to the bus, from the bus to the train, from the train to work and today hopefully to the swimming pool.
Taking paracetamol when I can't get comfy in any position or before bed ont he bad days - makes it all a bit easier to cope with.

Iwill I didn't swim yesterday as I had a terrible night's sleep but I'm going to give it a try today. Will report back.

Also my GP and my OB said that I can take paracetamol and codeine if I need to although I won't be able to buy it but DP can buy it for me and that it's perfectly safe. I'm aware it dopes up baby though so I've not resorted to it so far.

elgolden Why is your doctor not prescribing you codeine if he/she is saying you can take it, but can't buy it?

My pain seems to be on the up at the moment. Boo. Only a few days till physio and hopefully then things will get better, or at least be able to know what to do.