Can SPD only be expected to get worse in last 10 weeks, or might it be ok?

[babbashouse]

I'm 31 weeks and been suffering increasingly for the last about 8 weeks. I got crutches about a month ago and seeing physio again on Friday as found no real relief from crutches at all.

Anyway, last few days (and nights) have been pretty unbearable and I can't help but look at the bumps of ladies who are further ahead of me and thinking 'NOOO! There is NO WAY I can carry anything that size!' Bump feels so heavy already, I just don't know how I can take another 9 week's growth...

So I'm hoping for reassurance but really asking for honesty/ wisdom - am I really going to feel that extra weight of growing baby piling on, or is there a POSSIBILITY that it's got as bad as it's going to get and I don't have to worry about it getting any worse?

Can't offer reassurance over whether your pain will get worse, everyone's experience is different but wanted to post to urge you to see a chiropractor if you can afford it, the NHS would rather see women suffer and hand out crutches than pay for proper treatment it seems.

I had SPD during both my previous pregnancies and found the NHS physio clinic to which I had to self refer to be absolutely useless. This time around my midwife recommended a local chiropractor who has a particular interest in pregnancy related conditions and she has been marvellous.

There are no impossible excercises to try to do and feel guilty about when you can't/don't just a gentle 30 min treatment session roughly every 3 weeks. I'm 20 weeks now and doing much better with it than last time around. She hasn't 'cured' me but I certainly feel much more stable and have a lot less pain/grinding bones/aches than last time.

I'm sure it's not too late in your pregnancy for you to receive some treatment that actually works instead of being sent away with equipment that doesn't help.

Very best wishes x

babbashouse, there have been a few threads on SPD recently, will look and bounce for you.

Thanks so much MoonHare! Trying to find a local chiro now... Feel better about my crutches failure having read your post - knew they didn't seem to be doing anything, but thought it must just be me! Thanks again. x

hi babbashouse. I was suffering from PGP badly (mainly in my back) from about 22 weeks and saw an osteopath at around 24 or 26 weeks for three sessions.
She managed to do a manipulation which left me almost pain free. Was still in a bit of pain if I overdid it till about 28 weeks but since then have been pretty good, as long as I don't try to walk for more than 5 or 10 minutes.
It's certainly better now at 36 weeks than it was at 26 weeks. I hope you can find a good osteo or chiro who is used to treating pregnant women! You might end up feeling better later on.

If it's any help, my baby has descended slightly (36 weeks) and the pain has eased off significantly. Physio was ok, but they seem to focus on management rather than "fixing" like a chiropracter.

Hi, I agree with the Osteopath comments. I went to one when preg with DS2 and experienced an 80% improvement after just one session. I was so mad towards the midwives who just gave me a tubigrip skirt bandage and told me nothing more could me done. Go to an Osteo if you can.

yes I saw an NHS physio and they basically did nothing. They said they couldn't recommend manipulations in pregnancy because there wasn't enough research that it was safe for the baby.
Fortunately this was after I'd seen the osteopath so I wasn't scared off. I'm still glad I went and I can't see how a back manipulation would hurt the baby but obviously it's worth knowing there isn't much research out there about it.

I can't remember at what point, think I was about 35 weeks? SPD vanished. I think perhaps it was to do with baby dropping.

But I think I was lucky - heres hoping you are too!

Mine got better on its own. It was worst between about 24 and 30 weeks. Fingers crossed for you!

Sorry to hear about your SPD. At around 30 weeks last pregnancy I was given crutches, painkillers, a pamphlet on exerices and one or two physio appointments. It got worse and I was pretty much housebound by the last weeks of pregnancy.

This time round (am 38 weeks) it started earlier, I insisted on help from the GP, she made a referral to physio unit at the hospital and I was fortunate enough to see an amazing physio who also runs her own practice outside of the hospital. She only saw me twice within 10 days I think, manipulated everything, made me move/walk/sit in front of her and taught me how to get up properly etc. Thought it was going to be a waste of time esp as she refused to give out the crutches but lo and behold I got better!!!
SPD hasn't given me half the pain that I thought i'd have or that I had last pregnancy. If you can afford a private physio or professional I'd highly recommend (I was actually looking at above mentioned physio on the net before giving the hospital try, was very lucky esp as each session is 80pounds) -- as I think if you find the right care you do suffer less but i suppose it differs from person to person.
Wishing you a pain free rest of pregnancy and hope you find someone who can help. Fingers crossed.