What actually helps SPD/PGP?

[kurlyvoice]

I'm 29 weeks and have been suffering from SPD for quite a while, but have always just about managed to cope. It's just taken a huge turn for the worse and I'm really suffering, and don't know how to help myself. I've called in sick to work for the last two working days, but I also have a 21 month old toddler and on mummy days, I really hurt by the time DH gets home at 6.30. Could hardly weight-bear on one side last night.

Am doing physio exercises, using my gym ball, and trying to chase up a pelvic band referral, but what else can I do? The only thing that gives me actual relief is a warm bath but I can't sit in that for the next 11 weeks! A friend has recommended an osteopath so I'll try that too...

What else? Please help!

During my first pg I was diagnosed late and ended up on crutches in constant pain.
2nd pg I recognized the pain earlier, got referred for physio. They gave me a tubigrip type bandage to wear round my middle, it was amazing, virtually zero symptoms, except when I took it off to wash then my symptoms came back with extremity!

Ur midwife will be able to refer you to physio which if ur area is anything like mine, you'll get an appt very quickly.
I had a 'fit for pregnancy' class where the physio said...

1, get in and out of car keeping legs together
2, sit sensibly - back straight, knees aligned.
3, keep active but don't overdo the walking
4, sleep using a pillow between your legs, again for alignment.

5, if it doesn't work, contact the physio who can make alternative, more individual, suggestions and would even offer acupuncture to ease.

She basically said that if we take precautions we could attempt to avoid problems.

I was really sore up until about a week ago (am now 39 weeks) - like literally couldn't weight bare on my right leg when I first stood up. Thankfully seems to have eased now. Not pain free but defo eased.

Hope this helps, try the precautions and see if it makes a difference to day to day life - I'm convinced I'd have been bed bound without trying her suggestions.

Can you afford a few private osteopath sessions? Really helped me. Make sure you go to someone experienced in treating pregnant women. If you're in London, pm me for recommendations.

I haven't found much in the way of self-treatment that helps. Other than doing moderate non-painful activity. Too much flares it up, as does sitting all day...

If all else fails, your GP can prescribe some pain killers for you.

www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk

The major thing that helped me was an appointment with the physiotherapist, who physically manipulated my pelvic bones to put them back where they belonged. Since then, it's only been little flares of pain if I do something stupid, and I still have a hard time getting in and out of bed, but the rest of the time it's very minor compared to how it was before. I think osteopaths can do something similar. But the important thing is that it's someone who's experienced at SPD/PGP and confident in what they're doing.

Doing nothing. Not very practical but it's the only thing that doesn't make the pain worse!

In my opinion ( this is the second time I've had it) nothing can get rid of it.

I'm 32 weeks pregnant with a toddler and normally i'm very active but have been told to ease off because SPD is a weight bearing condition. I do yoga which helps ease the pain at the time but it comes back as soon as I get out of the position. My problem is sacroiliac, at the back I can definitely feel my pelvis spreading out (ugh)

I have one of those thick supports with rigid boning at the back which I wear all day, not the ones from the hospital which are too narrow. I sit it way down on my hips, pulling my pelvis in, it help with keeping correct posture too which I find helps as then your core muscles are supporting your pelvis. Can't wear it in bed though.

See a physio/osteo or chiro who is actually prepared to manipulate you (not just give you exercises (useful as they are) as NHS physios often do).

Work out the movements that really make it worse (for you) and avoid them - for me it was lunge type movements (i.e. how they tell you to pick stuff up to protect your back), big steps up, steps in general, turning over in bed, getting in and out of cars, crossing one leg over the other

These are v. good do's and don'ts
www.serola.net/Serola-Theory/dr-serolas-dos-and-donts.html

• these are also meant to be the daddy of sacroiliac belts if you need one

(I didn't thankfully), various UK distributers sell em eg www.healthandcare.co.uk/back-supports/serola_belt_S.html

BUT - I can't stress enough - keep moving as much as you can - I know it is different for everyone how bad it is - but coming to a complete stop is also really bad - often though you may slightly overdo it and have a slight flare up - you've learnt a bit about where your limit is and it will settle down a bit again.

I was able to keep cycling - it seemed to help keep muscles working and 'hold me together'.

Don't sit too long at work - I ended up last pregnancy putting my laptop on a load of boxes and working standing up (or alternating) - for some people standing for any time is bad. But get up and move about a bit.