Is this SPD?

[Flolo]

Help me please! I'm 27+4 and have been experiencing a lot of hip pain recently which is making it increasingly more difficult to sleep at night and to move around. I went to the doctors to have it checked out yesterday and she was very unhelpful, i mentioned if it could be SPD but she dismissed the idea and said I must have knocked my hip or it's just stretched ligaments causing the pain. It isn't! It's pain in both hips with a dull period like pain under my bump going from hip to hip. I've had this for a week or so now and is becoming unbearable to live with. I had to take paracetamol last night just so I could get some sleep but I really don't want to have to keep taking it. Does this sound like SPD or am I just being a wimp about normal pregnancy aches and pains?

It could be but your midwife will probably be more helpful. I described my symptoms over the phone to the midwife and got a referral to a physio that way. What you can do in the meantime is look up the information about managing SPD, make sure you are sitting correctly and keeping your knees together as much as poss when you shift position. If it is SPD, they can't take the pain away unfortunately so to an extent you do have to put up with it - but they should be able to make you more comfortable.

It sounds very much like my SPD - I second Katie's suggestion of seeing your MW, who will be far more knowledgeable than the GP.

As well as speaking to your midwife - since you might be lucky and live in an area where treatment for SPD is actually available on the NHS (rather than 5 mins with a physio who gives you a support belt, exercise sheet and sends you on your way). I strongly recommend seeking out a chiropractor who is interested in pregnancy related conditions - if you can afford it. Your MW might actually be able to put you in touch with one, mine did.

I'm pg with no.3 (30wks) and have been seeing a chiropractor since 16 wks. She has been amazing. I still have pain and discomfort in walking but nothing like as bad as last pregnancy. She said she could not cure it but could keep me stable enough to avoid using crutches or ending up in a wheelchair, which were my greatest fears with 2 under 4s to look after.

Best wishes with everything.

I suffer from SPD and my first symptoms always seem to be a tenderness if you touch the pelvic bone: so you could press down on the pubic bone and also the little nubs at the back and these are usually sore to the touch as well as the other pain you are experiencing. Definitely worth having checked out by the midwife as if it is SPD the sooner you can get the correct advice to manage it, the better. Best of luck.

I agree that it does sound like SPD/PGP, as I get pain rolling over in bed. It may well be normal/common in pg but you don't need to suffer it!!

My tips;

1. get a decent pg pillow. I love my dream genii pillow but everyone has a different fav... I find it keeps my hips parallel & supported without flexing my hip upwards/pushing my knees to far apart.
2. see a chiropractor (or osteopath) if you can. I saw one prior to both pg but def credit him with keeping my hip pain to a minimum.
3. do a pg yoga class. I attend an NCT relax stretch & breathe class & the gentle stretches keep me feeling flexible & active without hurting and I often have a better night's sleep as a result.

Good luck - hope your MW can offer support.