SPD tips?

[babbashouse]

I appear to have developed SPD (I think) My hips are really painful and clicking and in the middle of the night I was up with pain right in the middle of my pelvis, sort of 'inside' down below, so maybe not pelvis at all then, but sort of seemed like it at the time.

Anyway, I'm struggling to get to see my GP - if indeed there's anything he'd be able to do anyway? - so in the meantime thought I'd ask here any advice on what to do/ not to do?

I'm stuck at my desk (job alternates long periods of standing with long periods of sitting depending on the day/ week - this week's a sitting one) and it's really not comfortable at all, my left hip in particular isn't happy. Are there particular sitting positions that are best?

I'm currently with my legs up on another chair, but now wondering if that might put more weight on pelvis?

I'm trying to remember to keep knees together when getting out of car/ bed etc as seem to remember having seen that somewhere, but is there anything else I can do to help - better yet, is there anything I can do to stop it in its tracks from getting any worse?!

TIA x

Id book into see your midwife as soon as possible if you can and ask to be referred to physio asap, the sooner you get there the better it will be for you, i carried on for a few weeks like your describing until 1 day my lower half just seized up and i couldnt walk at all, ended up on crutches, but as soon as i had the physio (who didnt o anything other than give me a velcro belt thing to wear) i could physically walk again.

i find it easier not to sit or stand for hours on end and to do both, so if im watching tv at night on the couch ill make sure i get up and have a little stretch every hour or so, its just finding things that work for you, i also find it helps to have a cushion between your knees at night when sleeping, dont know why it works but feels more comfy when i remember to do it. things like swimming and pilates are meant to help to but i know at my worst id of killed anyone who tried to get me into a pool, you do need to see your midwife though straight away, even if you have to lie to get an appt do it, itd be so worth it. luckily i had actually been on crutches but as soon as i told them this they seemed to speed things up for me so worth a try, you can also take 2 paracetamol 4 times a day, was only told this after i had lived off 1 paracetamol a day and nearly cried when she told me id lived with the pain for nothing!

Oh dear, thanks so much for the advice. I'll try braving asking to see midwife - the receptionist at my surgery are nothing short of aggressive and make you justify yourself to them even to get a GP appointment in advance - I just know they're going to say I'm not due to see her til... (just realised not even sure when next standard appointment after 16 weeks one is supposed to be - I'm currently 22 weeks.)

Really scary that you couldn't walk :( - definitely glad to know to take it seriously though, so thank you. :)

Thanks for this thread, it's prompted me to take some action on my own growing pelvic pain. Ow.

babba if this is your first, I'd expect your next MW appt is around 25 weeks? But if you can get in touch before then, do - do you have any direct contact, or is it all via GP's receptionist?

In the meantime, recommendations to me have been pillow between the knees at night (helps keep pelvis in line I think) and spending sometime every day with a pillow or rolled up towel gripped between your thighs - I think this is supposed to help strengthen the adductor (sp?) muscles which can give extra support? I might be a bit off on that explaination though

But definitely avoid anything which could strain where you are feeling the discomfort - i.e. for me, it is a bit of hip pain, but mainly excruciating pain in my pubic bone (like it's being sawn in half!

Good luck and hope you can get a referral ASAP.

The support bands really do work. And dont forget you are allowed to take painkillers if you feel you need them.
If being physical - moving about, I was told 15 mins work + 15 mins sitting but I dont know how that can be done at work.
I found sitting on a straight backed chair was best for me, like a dinning table chair.
The physio will give you exercises to help.

Ooh teas, I forgot I could make direct contact with midwife(s) - there's a number in blue folder that's a general midwife helpline type thing I think, so will give that a call and see if I get anywhere with that. And yes it is my first, so I should probably be asking when my next appointment is too!

Have people been referred to physios quite quickly then? I assumed - on the basis of NHS referrals generally - that DC would be about 2 by the time I'd get to see somebody!

I asked for a referral at my 28 week appointment on 30 March, and i've just found out my physio appointment is on 26 April, so I hope you'd get one within a month too!
I've just had the delights of the antenatal ward for the last few days - a nice adjustable bed and minimal walking around has helped a lot! Back in my own bed last night, and it shows (although I am obviously very pleased to be home!)
Good luck

I saw a chiropractor in my first pregnancy, and it was like magic, I still see him every 8 weeks in this pregnancy and it is very much under control.

Lots of lifestyle things help as well, try googling The Pelvic Partnership, their site has more tips than I could remember!

yy, I had MAGIC results from chiropractor too.

It was expensive, but I didn't care as it was worth it to be pain-free.

I think osteopathy can help too.

The NHS seem to only provide help with managing the symptoms, rather than treating the problem.

Agreed Hambles. My NHS physio told me I had no tone in my glutes, so my pelvis wasn't being supported, but she couldn't give me exercises until after the birth, just crutches. I thought this was odd because I am a dancer (I was still training at 20 weeks, about a month before I saw her) and I didn't think my glutes would waste that fast.
My chiropractor told me the muscle was there, but my nervous system wasn't controlling it properly. He pinged at my back with a spring loaded back cracking device, and literally instantly I regained strength and control in those muscles. My pelvis got more stable and less painful over about 3 days, until it was back to normal.

you should be referred urgently because its important you're given manual therapy quickly. it's in the guidelines I think. (i still had to sob down the phone though)

I've just been issued with a massive tubi-grip and an exercise sheet. Fingers crossed they'll help.

I had my physio on Wednesday the best tip she gave me was to put a folded duvet under your bed sheet (she suggested 2) I slept like a baby the first night it seemed to take all the pressure off my hips in bed

I've suffered awful spd with my last two pregnancies, which unfortunately never went away after delivery, I'm on my third now. And at 7 weeks I'm already struggling with simple tasks :-(
My biggest tips are, tie a scarf or tie around your knees at night so you can't unintentionally open your legs while sleeping (which can be excruciating) walking up stairs sideways and one at a time, put a carrier bag on the car seat so you can swivel out without opening your legs, and basically just take it as easy as you can. Good luck and hopefully you won't get it too bad. I've dug out my crutches already as I don't think it's gonna be long before I'm using them :-(

I had magic chiropractor results too. Had it really quite badly by 6 months in second pregnancy, I suspect I'd have ended up on crutches. After one session, I was much improved, after three I had no pain. I carried on seeing her occasionally right up to the birth and had two appointments after. Then I moved and didn,t get around to finding a new chiro, got pregnant two years later and had absolutely no bother.

I had a mild discomfort from fairly early on... and was just a bit uncomfortable and stiff. But after I swept some snow off the path in January, I was left in agonising pain...

Never went to physio... as when I contacted midwife about it and she referred me... it would have been weeks. I just got off the phone and cried! But I have followed the advice, taken it as easy as I can etc. I am now 35 weeks, and a bit more uncomfortable due to sheer weight I am carrying.

My only advice is to not be afraid to keep taking painkillers... but most importantly... have lots of warm baths with lovely bubble bath!! Its the only thing that makes me feel considerably better :)

Do you have a day antenatal assessment unit at your local hospital? I have SPD, I was crying in agony at work, couldn't get a GP appointment for 2 weeks (as the receptionist didn't deem it it be urgent enough!!!!), rang panda unit, got an appointment for the next day, was seen by midwife, sho, prescribed strong, safe, painkillers and referred urgently for physio

We had a drop in pregnancy physio class at our local hospital so may be worth phoning them?

I ended up being signed on sick at about 20 weeks in my 3rd pregnancy and my mum having to practically move in with me to help with my other children.

Definitely sleep with a pillow between your legs, don't push anything, go upstairs on your bum, I found getting in and out of the bath a struggle so don't have one without help, use crutches if necessary. Good luck, SPD really is awful

my GP refered me and I saw physio a week later

I then had fortnightly physio sessions until dd was 10 weeks old

my physio gave me alot of pilates core strength exercises and they were like magic, I was on crutches at 30 weeks but off them at 37 weeks

do push for a referal to the physio as a good one makes all the difference

I have a hip like SPD thing, if you can possibly afford it a memory foam mattress topper is brilliant - at least 2" of foam - it's the only reason I sleep. Also if you swim whatever you do don't do breast stroke legs - arms are fine but just do crawl legs - and you can use a hoist to get in the pool if you can't use the steps, it's like a cheap plastic chair. the antenatal phisio can go through labour positions with you too - and be very careful about how far apart your legs are moved during labour, advice seems to be to tie a cord around your legs - dressing gown cord or string to what is a comfortable distance to that they then can't move you further.
I laboured on my knees on a fancy adjustable bed - they wanted me sat down and I am in discussion about being forced to sit down again this time grrrr - but on my knees meant no one could move my legs further than I was comfortable at all.

I've posted this before on SPD threads but we switched to a foam mattress halfway through my pregnancy and my SPD improved greatly almost immediately. Was completely worth the £££s