Does this sound like SPD?

[AnEcumenicalMatter]

31 weeks pg with baby no.1.

For the last few weeks I've had intermittent pain in my hips when walking - not too serious and completely bearable. However, for the last few days I now have persistent pain in my lower abdomen/pubic area/tops of thighs with occasional shooting pains going down into the fanjo area.

I noticed it got worse after going swimming on Saturday (I have been swimming fairly reguarly) and today I walked to an appointment (only about a mile) but I was in agony by the time I got there. So, whatever it is seems to be aggravated by even gentle exercise. It is also painful when I try to turn over in bed.

Have I just pulled a muscle or something while swimming maybe? Or does this sound characteristic of SPD? If so, do I need to see anyone about it? I have a routine appointment with my GP next week and will mention it to him then, assuming it doesn't get worse in the meantime.

that does sound like it might be SPD. when the pain is in the inside of the hips (iyswim -- i.e. in the fanjo area), not just the outside, that might be SPD.

go to the GP/midwife, not sure exactly how it works but you probably need referral to a women's health physio, and you should also talk about pain medication options. i think the standard at your gestation is co-comadol.

sleep with a pillow between your knees, and don't twist your spine when you turn over in bed or on the settee etc.

good luck, hope it gets better and isn't SPD at all!

Yes it does sound like SPD. There is a checklist on here somewhere which also contains some advice. Definitely mention it to your GP and your midwife. Poor you, im afraid it gets worse as you get bigger. However i would push for some physio and a support belt which i found a godsend.

Probably SPD.

I can relate to all you say, mine started at about 5.5 months on. The pain across lower tummy, pubic area almost stitch like. The shooting pains down into fanjo area were agonising.

I seem to remember being told to keep my legs together when moving around(?!) Pillow between legs, when sleeping.

I had a support belt, and had one session of physio.

Good Luck. Mine went away when baby's head dropped down!

Damn :( I guess that knocks swimming and and walking to my work appointments on the head then :( I guess I should count myself lucky that it didn't happen much sooner.

Thanks for your input. I shall speak to my GP and see what he recommends.

I suffer terribly with spd, it's a horrible pain, but I find swimming is the one thing I can still do. It's low impact and the water takes pressure of your pelvis, obviously your won't be able to do the breaststroke, but front or back crawl should be ok, try it and see how you go. Also there's no need to rush to the dr about it but you should mention it at your next appointment and ask for a referral to a physio for treatment. It's unlikely to get any better before delivery, but you can manage the pain and learn how to cope with it xx

Thanks MrsPaynie...alas, breast stroke is the only one I know.

The pain isn't unbearable (yet!) so I shall just see how it goes until I see the Dr. next week anyway. However, tonight it's serving as a convenient excuse to get me out of going out in the cold and rain to walk the dogs...DP is doing it

re: swimming, can i suggest a kickboard? usually they're available for use at public pools. just hang onto it and kick with your legs together iyswim. doesn't take much practice before you get it right.

with a kickboard the trick is to concentrate on keeping your torso stable in the water (i.e. not rocking side to side with each kick), which is a good core exercise in any case :)

and you can still get across the pool even when you haven't master the stable torso thing. kickboard is easier than breaststroke tbh.

Good thinking oik...I assume you mean those flat foat things that are usually used for learners? If so, the pool at my gym has loads of them :) Thanks for the suggestion...it's cheered me up no end. I was dreading going without any exercise as walking and swimming is all I've felt up for during pregnancy.

I know it's a bit late now but you arn't supposed to do breast stroke in pregnancy at all. However FX that was the problem and that not doing it and resting will improve any inflamation you have going on. I saw an antenatal physio who gave me a support belt but as I do pilates already didn't give me any excercises.

Really? I had no idea that breaststroke was not recommended. I suppose it makes sense if that movement is likely to affect the pelvis. I've been really lucky to get this far before it's become a problem.