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Pregnancy

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

Most comfortable position with SPD?

3 replies

Sexolette · 30/11/2011 17:20

I am 28 weeks and struggling with what I suspect to be SPD. Just looking for some advice on getting comfortable, too much sitting down makes it worse, lots of pain across my bum, nice!!

On a separate note I have been signed off work for the last week ad I was struggling with the two hour commute each way, however Doc was v reluctant to sign me off at all, suggesting that I bring forward start of Mat leave - err, no!! So he sent me away with a sick note citing lower back pain, is that normal? He didn't even mention SPD. I am wondering if that is my symptoms or him, he is a bit of an old fart!!

So, anyone got any tips on getting signed off correctly this time? Am stuck with old fart doctor unfortunately...

Thanks!

OP posts:
HarrietJones · 30/11/2011 20:04

I used to kneel leaning on a gym ball?

heliumballoon · 01/12/2011 10:48

Many doctors haven't heard of SPD. You'd want to get a referral to a phsyio and get it properly diagnosed.

Genuine question, why don't you bring forward the start of your maternity leave a bit? That is what I have done this time. Last time I struggled on and it meant that I was completely knackered when the baby arrived, which caused no end of difficulties. I'd rather have less time with the baby than go through that again. I have also gone PT, with lots of working from home and using up of bits of holiday, which also helps. Something to consider?

duzida · 01/12/2011 11:40

ring these people up

www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk/

you may have to leave a message, but someone helpful will ring you back, and they know all about it, in all its manifestations. They should definitely have tips on how to get your GP to be more useful, and can usually recommend an physio/osteopath in your area that other women have used.

GPs can unfortunately be very unhelpful, and it can also take ages to get an NHS physio appt. Even my GP - youngish woman with children - said 'oh, i had SPD too, but I couldn't let it get to me, i had to come into work'. Well, obviously she didn't have it too badly, because if you have it bad, you just cannot move/walk/bear to sit down or whatever enough to be able to do your job.

Gym ball helps, but if you can get to a physio, or even better, a private osteopath (maybe just for 1 or 2 appointments? it's expensive but it's MUCH better than not going), they can give you some exercises that may relieve some of the pain, and also have a proper feel of your pelvis etc and tell you what's going on there. Rest lots. Don't walk more than you have too, but find out what sort of stretches and exercises you can do, so that you don't get too stiff. Getting down on the floor on all fours and sticking your bum in the air looks silly but helps me a lot. Also gently rolling back/forwards/around and around while sitting on gym ball may help. Lots of pillows in bed around back/between legs. Warm baths? Avoid sitting on sofas (lie on them if you have to). If you sit, try to be very straight-backed, with legs at right angles and feet on floor. But you may well find it impossible to sit in an office job for the remainder of your pregnancy.

Pelvic Partnership again will have better tips than me.

Also - some NHS physios will say 'nothing you can do, just do lots of pelvic floor exercises', and that's not enough, you do need other exercises too (which is why osteopaths seem to be a bit better). Pregnancy yoga, with an instructor who knows a bit about the condition, or aquanatal type classes might be good too?

I agree with poster above about maybe doing mat leave a bit earlier, although I know that 28 weeks sounds horrific, and you shouldn't have to start that early. With my first pregnancy, I was signed off from 28 weeks, but I think at something like 34 or 35 weeks, HR said I HAD to start maternity leave. Can't remember details, was pissed off at the time, but also in so much pain that I couldn't be arsed to argue.

Finally, every case is different, and you may have some pain after the birth too (although hopefully it will resolve fairly quickly), but for me, I was lucky, pain went as soon as baby born, and he was/is SOOO worth it. So much so that I'm pregnant again. Also have SPD again, and cursing myself, but I think this one will be worth it too. And then I'm stopping. No more pregnancies for me!

good luck

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