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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Tips for SPD?

18 replies

flossiXxX · 18/10/2011 14:10

Hi just wondering if anyone has any tips to help with SPD? Im 15weeks and suffering! The doc has given me 3 boxes of co-codamol and refered me to a physiotherapist. Im glad about the physio but i wont take any painkillers! Any advice for me in the meantime until i start physio??
This is my second pregnancy and never had anything like this with my 1st! Wish me luck hehe =)! x

OP posts:

harassedandherbug · 18/10/2011 14:20

Keep your knees together and try not to take to cocodamol unless you have to! I try to take paracetamol during the day to keep going, and save the cocodamol for the night time when it's worst. Don't forget cocodamol have paracetamol in too so you can only take a max of 8 of them combined in 24 hours. Drink plenty as I've found they can give me headaches and dry me out.

I've had it from a similar time as you. I'm now 30wks, just back at work after 4 weeks off and been on crutches for the last 8/9 weeks.

Check that your health authority fund a support belt, or you may like to buy your own. Serola are the best, but pricey. Although the effect is worth the cost imo.

Don't hoover or push a shopping trolley and don't lift anything heavy. All leave me in agony now. Rest but not too much as you'll go stiff and that hurts just as much as doing too much! My birthing ball is the most comfy place to sit.

Have a look at the pelvic partnership website. Lots of great info.

Harecare · 18/10/2011 14:26

Go and see a chiropractor who specialises in pregnancy related things. I had SPD from 30 weeks with dd1, from 7 weeks with DD2 and the chiro, while expensive helped sooooooo much. I'm 11 weeks now and saw her at 5 weeks and will see her again next week. So far no SPD. The physio told me how to get up from seated, getting in and out of bed etc, but did no work on my body at all. I'm not going again as I know the advice, but you should get the advice and see if they offer any other help where you are.
Be very careful getting in and out of cars, bed, anything where you have the weight on one side. Try to be as even as you can at all times, this is why ironing/hovering are bad as they are one sided activities.
I hope it doesn't get any worse it can be agony - my sympathy to harrassed

Moredofbumsnet · 18/10/2011 14:29

Satin pyjamas make it easier to turn over in bed. Buy a dustpan with a long handle, use crutches around the house even if you find them a pain when out and about, accept all offers of help and sit on a gym ball a lot.

Moredofbumsnet · 18/10/2011 14:31

And a plastic bag on the car seat makes it easier to swing your legs in.

harassedandherbug · 18/10/2011 14:32

I wish I could find a chiro who'd manipulate me! I have a history of miscarriage (1 previously, but two this year) so no one is keen.... but I've had all sorts of things the weirdest being a treatment with a tuning fork which gave me my first pain free night in weeks . My consultant recommended reflexology and acupuncture. I can't cope with reflexology as I have a feet "thing", but am going to try acupuncture.

And if the tablets give you headaches I've found 4head to be brilliant.

sleepevader · 18/10/2011 14:32

A cranial oestopath or osteopath. Thats the only thing incan recommend.

TwoWeekWonder · 18/10/2011 14:45

Only extra think I can think of that has not been said is take smaller steps - don't stride.

banana87 · 18/10/2011 15:16

I swear by physio IF you get a good one. Mine took the time to examine me and found the root of my problem to be in my lower back. He "works" on me each time I go in and has given me a set of exercises. I have to say its been very successful!

mediawhore · 18/10/2011 17:30

My physio was a bit pants. Gave me a leaflet on where to get a belt from (which I hate but it does help), some 'exercises' to do, and advice such as knees together etc.

My second physion appt saw me end up with crutches. Which I also hate but am using more and more.

Am 30 weeks with number 3 - had SPD with number 2 too but not as bad.

Am currently off work for a week (and then a week for half term) and hoping to make it back to work after that for last 5 weeks before maternity leave.

I have just (today) got a birthing/gym ball too. And it is fab. Not sure why I have not got one before - but that does help.

I am finding walking far at all very painful - went round tesco for a few bits today and it was a bad idea! Take it easy.

Original poster

flossiXxX · 19/10/2011 09:17

Thank you everyone for your advice! I will try and take it easy! I am a volunteer at a pre-school and doing a college course. Im thinking maybe to wait until bubbas born now before i carry on anymore with this!
I bought 4head yesterday as i have also been suffering with really bad headaches too! Huff lol!
I like the idea of not being able to hover and get my other half to do some housework hehehe ! Just not looking forward to more pain!
So is it more likely to get worse than better? Or can it stay the same pain throughout... considering im only 15 weeks would it stay the same or i should i expect the worse?
Thank you again everyone for your kind words and advice! Thank you! =)! x

OP posts:

Imnotaslimjim · 19/10/2011 10:46

I had it carrying DD, and my one bit of advice it to always keep your knees and feet facing the same way. It takes a bit of getting used to doing it - things like if your changing direction when walking, stop and turn, don't turn one leg and follow with the other

Sleep sat up if possible, with your feet flat o nthe bed, knees bed and pelvis "locked" pop a pillow under your knees to keep you there, you'll find you're in much less pain the next morning. Towards the end, I had 8 pillows to sleep with and DH slept on the floor lol

Sorry you've started with it at such an early stage, I first got hip pain at 10 weeks, by 20 weeks I was permanently on crutches. Thankfully a lot of the time it clears almost as soon as the baby is born

Original poster

flossiXxX · 19/10/2011 16:54

Thank you! i'l try sleeping sitting up i was really uncomfortable last night and woke up achey! So will it definately get worse then since im only 15weeks or could it stay the same?? x =)! thankyouu again!

OP posts:

notcitrus · 19/10/2011 17:11

With luck it won't get worse, or not much.
You may not be lucky...
Keep knees together - so when walking, that's small steps! Don't rush.
Don't twist legs into different directions when standing - make sure both feet turn when your bum does.
Hold your pelvic floor in and your below-navel muscles together when getting up/down. Tuck your bum in when walking. Basically pelvic floor muscles - do them!
Keep knees together when getting in and out of bed. You are allowed to kill your partner if they yell "TIMBER!" at this point...

And take the cocodamol when going to bed - you need your sleep, pain will disrupt your sleep, and if you're avoiding it because you get that stoned feeling, it's much better if you're asleep and it should be mostly worn off by morning. If the 8/500 ones aren't doing it for you, then the GP can prescribe much stronger ones.

Woodifer · 19/10/2011 18:31

hi flossi can you possibly afford a private physio/chiro/osteo? (i know not everyone can :( )

My SPD came on at 14 weeks but it actually got a bit better with treatment - starting to get a wee bit worse now I'm 37 weeks +

I would say - keep moving within your limits! Some things might make you a bit sore, but will settle down again - so its working up to that limit - IYSWIM?

there is a thread with birthing ball in the title with loads of useful info (its very long but probably worth a trawl)

FiPeacock · 20/10/2011 08:26

Hey,
I've been in agony since Friday. I saw my midwife yesterday & she said it's PGP (which I think is the same/similar to SPD). Work is awful, I don't know if it's the commute or the fact I have an office job and spend most of the day sitting at a computer. I took Tuesday off because walking was too painful, and resting on the sofa helped a lot because I felt much better by the evening. Yesterday I was back in work, and last night the pain was unbearable. I can't find a comfy position to sleep in, turning over is agony even with my legs locked together...it's really frustrating.
I'm meant to be going to Bristol on Saturday (and back on Sunday) to see my friends. It's a 3-4 hour journey from here, I'd be the passenger not the driver. I really don't want to let my friends down and I haven't seen them for ages, but is such a long car journey asking for trouble with PGP? Would people recommend giving it a miss instead?
My midwife just said to let her know if the pain is still bad next week and she'll refer me for physio and to take it easy in the meantime.
Any advice would be much appreciated! xxx

HanaC · 21/10/2011 18:52

I've found pilates has really helped (obviously check first the teacher has experience of spd) - plus cranial osteopathy and acupuncture...the bill is adding up but it does mean that I can go out on walks much more easily. It's just annoying as it doesn't take much to set it off - mine kicked off with a small slip on a rug. Also recommend going off work as early as poss as sitting at a desk/commuting really makes it worse. I managed to wangle working from home for 2 days until I was entitled to mat leave - so see if you can get a GP note.

FutureNannyOgg · 21/10/2011 19:30

I found a chiropractor to be absolute magic. I am early in my second pregnancy now and will be seeing him for preventative/general wellness care, before it kicks in.

RatRace2SchoolGate · 21/10/2011 19:50

I'm in my third pregnancy and had a shooting pain and weakness down my leg from about 12 weeks - much worse than the previous 2! I saw a great physio who gave me some exercises to strengthen my core and lower back, thse really helped. I am 34 wks now and fine - chasing around after 4and 2yo dcs with no problems, whe before I was really battling. I also find that if I engage my core (to use Pilates speak) when I feel the ache coming on, then it seems to just melt away..

Definitely worth finding a good prenatal physio - if you're in SW London, I'd recommend physio on the river in Barnes - only needed 1 appointment!

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