spd please help

[miasmummy]

i have spd and i am in real bad pain, i know not a lot can be done but any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated, i have seen a physio once an i am due back tommorow, things are getting worse and can now hear clicking when i bend, even in bed it is really painful. I have a body pillow and keep knees together moving about, i feel useless!!! i have a 2 year old dd and i cant do anything! please help

hi
i suffered real bad from about 20 weeks in my first pregnancy.
I would whole heartedly agree with the silky nightie and sheets, i did this also ( although make sure dh/dp knows why you have invested in them, i know mine got a glint in his eye when he saw them!)

i paid a weekly visit to an osteopath, and while it didnt cure it, i am sure it really stopped it from getting worse as e worked on re alignment and strengthening the muscles around the pelvic bone area.

If you can bear it, try lying on your back with knees bent, place your hands just under your hips and slightly in a bit and press lightly but firmly, then contract the deep tummy muscles. You should feel it tighten under your fingers, hold for a count of five then relax. Repeat as often as possible. Its a great, easy , safe exercise to do when you are pregnant, and one i found to be really easy.

Another tip, if you have to drive anywhere ( bit like the silky sheet idea) sit on a plastic bag, this aids you when you get in and out. Keep your knees together and swivvel on it. might look a bit strange but helped me.

A wheat bag, heated and placed on your pelvic bone when your sitting gives a bit of relief ( or hotwater bottle i guess) and one thing i found, was not to sit for too long as it seemed to 'set' and i found it harder to get mobile.

i wore my belt at night time, under the nightie, this helped me when i had to keep getting up for the loo in the night and as i always found it bad in the morning after lying for a long while, it supported me while i regained my mobility.

I asked fro crutches and my hospital were only too happy to give me some, it might be difficult with you 2 yr old, but even using one for some support is better than nothing.

I am on my second pregnancy now, and unfortunatly my SPD has increased dramaticly ( i am only 18 weeks) I am definately going to give the acupuncture a go this time round, i have also heard it helps...

Try not to feel too down about it, it does get better in time, and it wont last forever, its an awful thing and becasue noone can 'see' it you dont get the sympathy you deserve hope you can take some of the tips we have given, keep your chin up, think of the beautiful baby at the end of it!!

thanks for the help ladies, have been to physio today and no further on really, im back there next week though, just hoping it wont get worse

do you know what position your baby is in? my spd was only severe when dd was transverse - when she moved i was pain free!!! as soon as she went sideways (which she liked alot!!!) i couldnt move my legs!!! i also had 2 sons to care for and the school run was awful!! was easier to drag myself on my crutches than to drive!!!

best thing i found was to kneel on the floor and rock/stretch to get baby to move, then i'd get some relief.

also getting in and out of bed/ car etc keep your knees together - always - looks funny but really helps!

lastly, invest in an eisel and some pens/pencils and chalks - i'm sure your daughter would love to be artistic with you - and you should be able to do that lying on the sofa with the eisel next to you!

peace and love

thanks, don't know the position of the baby but worth asking. My daughter is good really its just me that feels bad for her

Hello....sympathy to you, I had SPD and it is pretty grim at times. Pillow between knees defo helped at night and I found the tip about not sitting still for too long true for me, I seemed to seize up. I did try accupuncture after having iot recommended to me by a fellow sufferer and it helped a lot.

I was v. sceptical as have never used anything similar before and not really into such things but after the first session i felt immediate relief. It didnt cure it but did lessen the pain. I had sessions every 2 weeks and by the end of the fortnight i could tell a i needed to go again IYSWIM. It is expensive (i think i paid £35 a session but as it helped i figured it was worth it)

Should warn you that they sometimes put the needles in the 'danger zone' was horrified before i first went to think of needles in my bits but actually it didnt hurt (just a slight sensation when it first goes in and it is the bit above the pubic bone not right down below!) and the embarassment factor was good practice for when i gave birth!!

Bizarrely, even though i could barely walk I managed to cycle to work still as it actually hurt less to sit on my bike than walk...although getting on was a slow process...I dont have a car so i didnt have much choice and dont know if this is practical for you as a form of transport with you lo??

Once i gave birth it was instantly better, despite an emergency c-section i could walk better the day after than the day before. Also found that despite ttelling the midwife and dr that i couldnt have legs too wide for examinations during labour (this can lead to longer term problems) it all fell on deaf ears really especially went my ds' heartrate fell and it all went a bit scary mary but was least of my worries at this point!

If you are near York I can recoomend accupuncturist
(sorry for long post, hadnt realised i'd rattled on so much!)

Hello miasmummy.
I really sympathise with you. I was diagnosed with spd at 13 weeks with my second child. By 20 weeks I was on crutches and by 23 weeks signed off work. I also have a 2 year old dd and it is really tough. I can second all the advice about getting crutches as soon as possible - I felt stupid using them but noticed a significant improvement in pain levels when I used them. TBH I don't think I would have coped without them. I started off just using one as I was in pain more on one side than the other and it also mean't I could still hold DD's hand when we ventured out (she was rudely kicked out of the pushchair as it was too hard for mummy to push ). Also all of the tips on this thread are great too. I didn't like the support belt so my physio gave me a big tubigrip bandage which I wore like a skirt over my bump and under my clothes - that was fantastic support. I did as little as possible and rested as much as I could, and DH took DD and I out at weekends to do more family things so we had outings to look forward to. Ask your friends to help too, mine were a great help to me and bought their toddlers round to play in the afternoons and we did proper activities then like painting, cooking, teddybears picnics etc - it was much easier to cope with entertaining dd if we had her friends over to play, and easier for me as I had another adult who was only to happy to help keep the kids entertained. Do your food shopping online. Don't lift anything (especially not your toddler, although this was extremely hard for us).We got a cleaner too so if you can afford even 1 hour of help with housework then pay for it, it is well worth it! I am now 3 months post birth, I had a c-section because of the spd and the spd cleared up within days of having ds. If I can help you please let me know, it is really miserable having spd, you are not alone! xxx

Thanks so much, its lovely to have people that understand, could i request crutches from the physio? it is so hard for me atm i suffer from depression so i think this makes it all seem a lot worse too. Phyio tried some exercises yesterday that she said may help but they seem to have made it worse!!! are they just going to try different exercises every time??? My dh is so good and helps as much as he can, but others dont seem to understand. I also had a traumatic birth with dd and was worried about birthing this baby even more so now! Sorry to go on but it is really good to get all of this out. xx

I had this in the middle of my second pregnancy. It did improve towards the end. Some of the things that I found to help were:

walking slowly - I mean, really really irritatingly slowly. I give myself an extra three or four minutes for a five minute walk with the buggy.

picking up your dd - if you do have to lift them up, balance them on your bump rather than on your hip

relax - I've found that being less stressed makes a huge difference to the amount of pain. i think it's partly becuase I move more slowly, and also because I have more time to think about how to move to minimise the pain (legs together, sleeping better etc.)

The bath is your friend - but you'll need help getting out so that you can keep your legs together, and sit on the side then turn around without separating your legs.

If you're in the house a lot (and it sounds like you are) don't bother with knickers and wear a skirt - it just means you don't have to start the morning with the pain of getting knickers and trousers on.

Sorry I can't help more, but hopefully some of these might help a little.

Miasmummy - do absolutely nothing unless it is life or death. If you have conventional back pain, then you're encouraged to keep moving. But with SPD, the less you do the better1 Virtually impossible I know, but please try!

I had SPD from about 18 weeks with dd. Unfortunately, she's now 16 months and I still have it - some days worse than others. Pushing a shopping trolley or a buggy was/is a big no no for me. Having sex, unless you can find a position where your legs are almost closed . Using the washing machine/dishwasher - NO squatting or picking up anything from the floor AT ALL!!!!

ASk for help - explain to people and plead with help for housework - say you'll get some tasty biscuits in for bribery

Get home delivery for everything

WEar your belt all the time!

Talk through the possibilities of a water birth - that's meant to be the best option for birth.

But don't have baths anymore at the moment unless there is someone to help you in and out. Lifting yourself and bump out with the water pressure ot the bath water is really really bad. Showers only from now on.

Um - will try to remember what else my physio said later....

It's soooo miserable, but if you stop being active now, it might stop it getting worse. Get loads of help and maybe arrange someone to have dd for a couple of afternoons so you can be totally motionless for a while?

No potty training either (I learned that the hard way with ds )

Someone at my support group swore blind by a flotation tank in a beauty therapists shop she went to - £50 a go though!!

thanks again, there is no one to have dd for a few afternoons, she is already potty trained so she has to go to the loo! I am doing as little as possible but i find it so hard, i hate to see mess!! i wish i was different!
Sex is already a thing of the past!!
I also find the shower hard because it is over the bath although it is easier than the bath!

I have had this in both pregnacies and it is just horrible, especially when you already have another child to look after. My sympathies go out to you. Its hard not to feel down when you are suffering so much, and their is nothing you can do to make it go away. I was bedridden for the last 6 months with a 2 year old dd, and i had to move my parents to London to help me. To entertain my little girl i would read to her, do crafts, threading, computer games, pictures, watch dvds etc. we moved the PC, tv, dvd player and stereo into our room !!! but at least i could do alot more with her, and even if she was just watching cbeebies i could at least be next to her chatting. housework is the last thing you should be worrying about. the advantage of spending all your time in 1 room is that then your husband only has to clean up 1 mess at the end of the day. I also found a swivel seat to put in the car easier to get in and out, as well as an "easy reacher" from argos. this way if you need to pick something up you can do so without hurting your pelvis/back. Its very frustrating, especially the fact that midvives and doctors don't seem to understand much, but at least it will go away.

i still have my crutches, so if you are near the sw london area you are free to borrow them. best of luck with the pregnacy and try to stay positive. i always find listening to my favourite songs very uplifting.

I had SPD every time. The 3rd time round, instead of a belt I got some of those giant knickers that are really elasticated with a sort of belt incorporated. I think the brand was chicco. Get the smallest size you can get into and it really holds everything together. That made a huge difference for me - far better than the belt had before. They popper up underneath so you don't have to struggle out to have a pee.

mapleleaf thank you very much for the offer but i am in carlisle, i sent dh out to get a gym ball this afternoon, and i am sat on it hoping that it helps!!! it feels a little more comfy but nothing amazing! The knickers sound strange but if they help anything is worth trying, i will have a look for some. I think i might ask the physio what route we are going to go down next as i feel a little lost!

Hi Miasmummy - I really empathise - I had SPD in pregnancy, little one now 7 weeks old and had my first real walk today with the pram (will prob be bad tom now but it is great to be able to walk again).
Re: tips - I used crutches from about 30 weeks - it was so diff getting around and despite not wanting the crutches it did help (although I was v. slow!) Like the satin sheet idea - bed movement was difficult. One thing the SPD partnership said was that some physios will re-align your pelvis. I spoke to a BUPA/private physio in Leeds (on the partnership contact list) - she was great and said that if it the SPD was caused by hormones alone it would go right on its own, if it was that the pelvis was out of alignment then it would need gentle manipulation. I was nervous of doing in pregnancy (as my NHS physio didn't recommend) however I spoke to a number of private phsyios who said that it would be OK. I found it hard to believe it would get better but it has. Good luck x

how bad do you think it needs to be before crutches? thanks for all the posts, have just ordered satin sheets and pj's. dh will be getting ideas but will put him straight!!! gym ball seemed to make it worse after a little while, any ideas? thanks again x

Hi Miasmummy,

I sympathise with you, I suffered from SPD very badly during my pregnancy. It resolved by 95% 2 weeks after giving birth, there is light at the end of the tunnel!
I am also a physio myself, and I'm afraid there is not a lot that can be done other than exercises to stabilise the pubic bones, remember your ligaments are lax so we have to rely on muscles more for support. I know it might feel like the physios aren't doing much, but really, if done properly and regularly the exercises DO help, speaking from experience. You can ask your physio for crutches if you feel you need them. I used them a bit, but tried not to rely on them. (although I'm not sure what the policy is at your local physio dept). Be careful with any 'hands on' treatment offered by any chiro's, physios etc, your body is pretty fragile right now. It's very frustrating, speaking as someone who has both treated patients with and suffered from SPD. You have to keep remembering that that bump in front of you is pushing down on your pelvis, so it will be uncomfortable. I know several friends including myself who had it and it resolved after delivery. I DO understand how miserable you are. I ended up finishing work at 32 weeks instead of planned 35 weeks. DON'T feel guilty about dd or dh, this time will pass. You MUST look after yourself!!! I hope this helps.

thank you i am trying really hard to look after myself, not easy as im not that type, lol would rather be busy but i know now pain is too much if i do more than a little, so have to put up with it
x

I had this in my last 2 pregnancies and am currently 22 weeks pg and can feel my hips and pelvis starting to get painful. I was referred to the physio last time who showed me exercises to strengthen ny core muscles. She also said to pull in and up all the ab and pelvic floor muscles before moving - this was a big help as it stabilises your pelvis. I am now a big fan of PILATES - this is all about strengthening your core and pelvic floor muscles and keeping your mid-section (waist, pelvis) aligned when you move. I am hoping regular pilates sessions will help keep my pelvis a bit stronger and less painful in this pregnancy. Obviously you can't do all the exercises (e.g. lying on tummy) but a lot are suitable for pregnancy and even the simple exercises are a big help. There are lots of good books/DVDs if you can't get to lessons. Hope this helps.

i am suffering terribly with psd, my pelvic bones click when i move and even when i dont do anything there is so much pain it reduces me to tears i cant get out of bed in the morning and now im finding it difficult to get my ds to school too im only 22 weeks and never experienced this before. ive read that this can hinder giving birth too has anyone else heard this??

bubblbell1

Mine clunked and brought me to tears too, but it didn't hurt in labour, only my lower back. It can hinder giving birth, but it is very rare for it to be this bad, even though we all feel as if we must have it as bad as it gets!!!!

Haven't read all the comments, so don't know if this has been said.

I saw an osteopath, who as well as manipulating my pelvic area gave me orthotic inserts for my shoes. I have quite high arches and these were comprised by the relaxin too. I'm not sure one has to go that far (and they are damn expensive for what they are!) but I think that wearing properly supportive footwear is very important. I was in the later stages of pregnancy during the summer, when I just wore lightweight sandals because they were easy to slip on and off. Should have stuck with walking boots... (if only I could have seen over the bump to lace them up!)

My DD is now a year old and I still feel that my pelvis is weak. I can't really lift or step over things. I'm only occasionally in pain though - and doing yoga helps keep things in place. The osteopath told me that it takes 18 months for the relaxin to leave your system... but which time you could be on to the next one.

Incidentally - when I was in constant pain with SPD in the later stages of pregnancy and could hardly walk, my father suggested it was to do with having put on too much weight (2 and a half stone at full term??).

So - watch your pie consumption, girls.

i had a telephone conversation with my gp and she agreed with ur father red. not so much weight gain but if your muscle tone isnt up to scratch then u tend to suffer more. i do feel sorry for myself and tend to be a bit of a worrier, being a nubile 19 yr old while pregnant with my first i didnt have anything like this and was worried have waited 2 weeks for an app. with physio

Hello. Really sympathise as had it in pregnancy from 12 weeks and it got progressively worse. Not nice having an inactive pregnancy. I remember someone said on a previous thread that osteopaths can actually manipulate the pelvis and get rid of the pain. I would try this if I got the condition again. Good luck with whatever you try anyway.

I don't suffer from SPD but I did a study at university so there are a few things that you can do. The pregnancy hormones soften the ligaments around the pelvis to get ready for labour, weight isn't the cause. I don't want to scare you but you have to be very cautious specially with exercise, also as the pregnancy progresses it gets worst. Make sure the physiotherapist you see has experience in obstetrics, also they would be able to advice you on supporting belts. Obstetric osteopaths use different techniques, they focus in the ligaments and soft tissues, I think a consultation could help. When your labour starts make sure the midwife looking after you knows you have SPD to guide you through the best positions. Don?t ignore it if it hasn?t gone away after birth after 10-12 weeks, see a physio or osteopath. You can get some accurate info from the support group at www.spd-uk.org.