spd symptoms, feeling down

[nightowlmostly]

Hi, am 24 weeks pregnant and have been having fairly mild pains low down in my groin area and my lower back for a couple of weeks. At first I dismissed it as normal pregnancy aches and pains, to be expected. I had stretching ligament pain previously and thought it was that.

Yesterday however, I was feeling quite a bit of pain in the car as my DH turned corners, the pressure was affecting me, so I looked up my symptoms when I got in. It wasn't a case of deciding what I have then making the facts fit, I know how easy that can be but it really wasn't. I have been aware of spd from the start as I looked into pregnancy things as I have had trouble with my hips in the past.

Anyway, it seems that is what I have, and I feel really depressed about it! I have been really enjoying being pregnant up until now, no real trouble or morning sickness or anything. I guess what I really want to hear is anyone's positive experiences, like if you have had it but it didn't get too bad, or was helped by any particular exercises or anything. I am just worried it is going to get progressively worse and the next 4 months will be hellish. I was suffering driving in to work today, and it's more than an hour each way 5 days a week, so if it is going to hurt every time it's going to be shit.

Sorry for the rant, I know full well that I am feeling more than a little sorry for myself today, I guess I really just need someone to tell me it isn't the end of the world! I am going to call the GP now and see about getting an appointment, but all I've read is that they might refer you to get physiotherapy, which sounds like it will take a while to do any good.

Thanks if you got to the end, any advice or even just some sympathy gratefully received!

Hiya!
Yes I has similar pains at 22 weeks, which actually came on quite suddenly so even rang hospital to get checked out...anyway to cut it short, they said it was stretching pains and that all was fine. Im now 27+1 and have backache nearly every day which settles with hot water bottle/warm baths, I dont think it helps that my little man is sitting very low in my pelvis so it depends where your baby is laying?

I would say try paracetemol/hot water bottle but if the pain is not easing then ring the MW for some advice...! Hope this helps and good luck :) xx

Avoid hot water bottles and hot baths. They are not good for your baby!

Call your MW. She can give you a referral to physio.

I went to physio few weeks ago and they gave me some exercises and a pregnancy belt.

I've been suffering of the same problem since pregnancy week 18, I'm now at 31 weeks.

MW says my baby is lying very low and causing pressure on my hips.
This kind of problem will not go away easily.

Hi Nightowlmostly

I can offer you a more positive experience of SPD. I started getting pains at around 15 weeks while going for a run - obviously that turned out to be the last run of my pregnancy! As I had a while to wait until my next MW appointment, I went to see a physio privately and she confirmed the diagnosis and gave me exercises and recommended a support belt.

I'm now 35 weeks and as long as I do my exercises every day and sit on a gym ball at home and at work whenever I feel sore, I've been able to manage the spd and stop it getting worse. I would describe the exercises to you but I really think you should see a physio for a proper diagnosis, particularly if you've had hip problems before.

If you feel pain while sitting in the car, can you try adjusting your seat or sitting on a cushion?

Some women swear by seeing chiropractors or osteopaths for spd - I don't have any experience of that but it's something else you could try.

Ok so I'm not running or as active as I was but I think it's not bad that at 35 weeks I'm still working full-time, walking up a steep hill to work and managing gentle prenatal pilates classes. Good luck with managing your spd, hopefully you can figure out what helps you.

Also 24 weeks here and second time of having spd for me also. Although a fair bit worse this time round. I swear by the gym ball! Bed time is worse for me, try a pillow between knees and under bump when lying on your side. When getting out of car/bed etc try keep knees together if possible. A physio will give u gentle exercises to help. Mine went completely when DD was born which is hopefully going to b the same thus time round! You are not alone and is quite a common problem :) hth x

Thanks to evryone who has shared their story, I feel a little better now than I did earlier. I guess it's easy to focus on the bad things, when as birdsofshoreandsea says, things could be a lot worse!

Nigellabot, your experience makes me a little more positive, it sounds like I need to see a physio and then maybe it can be managed and not get a lot worse. I think I'm imagining the worst because I've had the other hip trouble before.

Thanks again, fingers crossed it won't end up being too bad x

There is a fantastic website I found called the pelvic partnership its got loads of good advice and where to go to get help. I just need to decide now if I'm going to go for physio or to a chiro? Any advice?