SPD and teaching

[bopoityboo3]

Hi, first time post but lurking for a while. Was just wondering if any other teachers out there suffering from SPD and still managing to get into school.

I'm off today (cause it hurts so bad) and heading to the doctors in a bit to get it confirmed as I'm in so much pain and obviously being on my feet all day teaching a very active secondary school subject isn't helping. What will the doctor suggest I do/ is there any treatment for this other than hoping it stops once I pop?

I'm not due to go on maternity leave for another 6 weeks (I'll be 37 weeks by then) and I'm at a key time of the year with all my exam classes and don't want to leave them in the lurch. Any advice would be great.
Thanks,

I have had mild SPD since 20 weeks (now 32) and have found that a support belt that squeezes my hips together has helped enormously. It was recommended to me by an osteopath - apparently the pain is from where your bones get too far apart due to relaxin and then the ligaments get strained. The belt helps keep everything together!

I'm not a teacher, but I do have to chase after a toddler so I am on my feet quite a lot.

This is the one I have:
www.amazon.co.uk/Serola-Sacroiliac-Belt-Medium-34-40/dp/B000NIFVLW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391503200&sr=8-1&keywords=sacroiliac+belt

Thanks schmalex will be looking into one of those.

Do talk to your HT and make him / her aware of the condition. They have to do a risk assessment for your pregnancy and there are likely to be reasonable measures that's they can put in place to help you - as you say, it is in their interest too to keep you for as long as you're able and wish to work.

I was given a parking space on site, and a lift pass. I also requested time to attend some physio appointments and I left some after-school meetings early to attend yoga and Pilates classes. I found antenatal Pilates particularly helpful.

It might be possible to look at your timetable to give you breaks. By 'very active' subject do you mean PE?

Can you see a physio?

I had SPD with my 2nd pregnancy since I was 16 weeks and it got worse my midwife told me to call physio number is on the back of your pregnancy notes book and I got a belt to start with but I ended up with crutches as couldn't walk but I've had friends that went off physio and they didn't need extra support after they got their exercises from physio so maybe see if you can phone physio for a appointment they do help x

The support belts can be really useful but I would see a physio first. My physio squeezed my hips together and instantly said that a belt will not help me and will cause more ptoblems. So I don't think they're for everyone.

I worked in a school with moderate SPD. I didn't work as a teacher though. I worked as an ICT technician. School jobs are very physical and there is no respite. Lets face it, its hard sometimes to find time to go to the toilet.

I think you should ask your GP to sign you off for 6 weeks until your maternity starts. In many ways it is better for the kids if you go early than the children not knowing whether its you or the supply teacher today. The school will manage without you.

I found physio really helpful.

I'm not a teacher but I would be surprised if your not signed off till the end of your pregnancy pushing through the pain will only make it worse. Possibly a week or so of resting may give you a but more time to work but likely to come back when you start doing to much again.

Also if your signed off or sick after 36 weeks work have to start your mat leave immediately.

I teach drama so a lot of demonstrating and movement, my 6 forms have opted for physical theatre as one of their styles of performance this year so it evolves demonstrating a lot OTT movements and almost dance like positions unfortunately not a subject where I can sit and teach from the front.

Seeing my doctor at 11 so will push for referral to the physio or see if I can just organise it my self before spending money on support belt.

Frumious - I'm doing pregnancy yoga at the moment and was worried that the GP would tell me to stop - glad to here it helped you as I've been finding it really helpful in general.

"Seeing my doctor at 11 so will push for referral to the physio or see if I can just organise it my self before spending money on support belt."

An NHS physio will provide the belt you need for free. It needs to be fitted by someone who knows what they are doing.

Mcbaby - this is what I'm worried about I really don't want to abandon my kids at this point. Plus can't really afford for it to kick start my mat leave early.

Feeling like I'm being a bit of a wimp and should just suck it up like I normally do when ill worried that my SLT wont be particularly sympathetic as had to take a couple of weeks off at the start of the year as I had terrible morning sickness.

bopoity I have practised yoga with the same teacher for a while so I carried on with my usual class with modifications. Make sure that your teacher understands spd and what positions you can't do - basically anything with a wide, unstable stance, such as the deep lunges for some of the warrior poses, or anything which could further destabilise your pelvis.

Please feel free to PM me if you like - you might be surprised at the measures that your school are willing to put in place in order to enable you to keep working if you want to. McBaby makes a good point but please be aware of the implications for your mat leave if you are signed off with pregnancy-related sickness - after a certain point (34 weeks? I'd have to check) it will trigger your mat leave automatically.

The trigger point for maternity leave is 36 weeks.

"
Feeling like I'm being a bit of a wimp and should just suck it up like I normally do when ill worried that my SLT wont be particularly sympathetic as had to take a couple of weeks off at the start of the year as I had terrible morning sickness."

It makes SLT life easier if they know where they are. It is far harder managing any kind of organisation if they have no idea whether someone is going to make it in or not. In someways a one off period of long term sick looks better than lots of days here and there.

I found that when I handed SLT my long term sick note for SLT that it brought them a sense of relief. They knew that they had to cope without me and could make arrangements.

I've had SPD since 24 weeks and I am now 39 weeks. It started at the front of my pelvis and moved to the back which was much worse. I have a desk job but getting up and done from my chair was agony.

I was referred to physio but they did nothing but say there is nothing you can do and it will get worse and give me done advice that you can get from an internet search. Thanks!

In the end I saw an osteopath who specialises in SPD. It was amazing and the results were noticed within 2 days. I no longer need the codeine prescribed by the doctor or paracetamol. I sometimes wear the belt he gave me if I am standing or walking and distance though.

Have been signed off for a week, no mention of physio just told to rest and advice on what pain killers I can take.

Frumious, have already talked to my yoga instructor about it and she is very aware of it all and specialise in pregnancy yoga

Have worked out that after this week (not counting February half term) I only have 4 full weeks of teaching before starting mat leave. So with feb half term as a break in the middle of that I'll be okay.

I have spd and I also teach drama, 34 weeks preggers with number 3 so all in all I'm feeling a little un reasonable. I went to a physio and was fitted with a tubi grip for support which has felt like someone giving me a hug. I have adopted the well known 'teach from a stool' method and 'point quite alot', they are both highly advanced methods of teaching but in sure you can do it. Number 3 is also breach which in turn is making me vomit, so yesterday I embarked on some distance learning from the toilet! You can imagine my joy when the fire alarm went off!
I have the mantra ' your not alone' constantly going around in my head.

LJBanana I like your style I will be utilising these advanced methods when I get back next week. Sorry to hear your now also having to embark on some distance learning hopefully number 3 will turn for you soon.
it is nice to be remind 'you're not alone' will be taking this up myself I think as a new mantra.

I had SPD during last pregnancy whilst an infant teacher. I also do lots of teaching on a chair, pointing and as I had ms all the way to the labour ward,quite often did distance learning from the bog too!
I feel for you. I'm 19wks with dc2 and so far no SPD. I have lots of other sickness things hanging around me but I can cope with those. SPD is awful.

There you go further proof that these advanced methods are in fact ofsted worthy and proved practice all over the place. I going to pitch them to teacher training courses all over the country. Watch this space. 2 weeks and counting till half term! X