SPD: How do you use crutches and a pushchair?

[FYCandTheGhostsOfNagsPast]

I'm getting to the limits of my practical options.

Dd is 1. I am now fully reliant on crutches and even then in a lot of pain all the sodding time. I have 3 months to go.

Luckily we have an automatic so I can drive with minimal discomfort. But other than that I am now trapped.

My day revolves around minimising moving, dreading having to lift dd, and nothing else. I go out for appointments only, and that's only when dh can meet me to take dd for a bit.

So how do you do it? I've got at least another 3 months, and it's only going to get worse. I can't take dd out in the pushchair because it hurts and will mean I won't be able to walk later on at all. I obviously can't use pushchair with crutches, or carry her whilst using them.

I need some practical ways to cope. It's not for long, I just need some techniques. Other people must've done this. There must be solutions. I'm just struggling to see them.

Any advice gratefully received.

You poor thing . Can you go back to your physio/occupational therapy department? You have a long time to go to be stuck like that. I am making the assumption that you've already had the postural and exercise advice, given that you're already on crutches.
In my first pregnancy I had SPD and used a bike for short-medium journeys, but I was lucky and didn't need crutches. I also saw a chiro (I was desperate) and swam a lot which helped, however that wouldn't work this time as I have a 3yo to manage as well.
fwiw, not the same but I broke my foot and sprained my ankle at the start of my 2nd tri, was signed off work for a bit and then managed to get a temp disabled permit for work car park (as underused), so could minimise walking and pretty much just drove door-to-door everywhere for a good few weeks. In my case there was at least the prospect of improvement before I got any bigger though, I think you need to demand specialist help to try and get you through the next few months. Could you get some help with childcare, e.g. a temp nursery place or something, just to give you a break? Is your DD walking? Can you use reins and then your crutches? A structured sling to try and distribute her weight whilst on the move if she needs to be carried (although that option sounds pretty awful if she's bigger)?

Corpore, thank you :)

Dd is walking but wobbly, so a bit soon for reins I think.

Physio has been all about minimising how bad it gets, and I have all the exercises and a support. I don't feel they can help anymore, but am happy to stand corrected.

I could go to an osteopath, but I'm very flexible at the best of times and I'm terrified that it could be made worse. Which is probably daft.

I could go to my gp and get codeine, but I worry I'll do myself more damage by pushing myself too hard if I can't feel it.

I need a wheelchair that can do stairs and has a little seat for dd built in :o

I've tried dd in the back pack, but the additional weight is excrutiating.

There may be help here:

www.rosttherapy.com/index.php?show=patientnews

Can you put 1 year old on reins just for short journeys in and out car?

Go swimming. It's not really swimming with toddler but you can float around and they can do same and get excercise with Bands on. Can drive to swimming pool and pop 1 year old on reins for the few min walk from car into pool.

Go to closed in park on rainy day. No one else will go so you can park outside in car, walk to bench and let little one run about safely for a while

otherwise stay in tbh. Get craft bits/ books etc for toddler, both can get in bath together you to relax and she can play a while.

If you have partner at home get him to take little one out each evening or morning so she gets out, even if just toddle around the block or to supermarket

Art, the indoor activities work well. Dd is luckily very relaxed and happy to do most things. She's only just 1 so still very wobbly.

At the moment I look at any 1 of those activities and can't help but break it down into how many times I will have to do something that will make me want to scream.

I have a high pain threshold (no drugs in labour etc), but have already had several moments (that thank god coincided with dd being asleep) when I couldn't move for the pain.

Dh is brilliant when he's here and has taken over everything he can, but he works full time.

I tell myself it's only 3 months. Each passing week is another week I won't have to do.

Thanks cheesecake :)

Miserable isn't it? But only 3 months and it'll be better.

Just wish there was a way to push a pushchair.

Warm baths is what I do. Takes all the pressure off and I find them really soothing.

Walking is agony. Stairs are my nemesis.

No classes sadly. Saw my MW today and got sympathy but no solutions! She just Hoped I had someone who could help out for a few hours every day. well I don't. Other than dh who is brilliant in the evenings.

I just feel so frustrated all the time. Every step hurts, so I plan every movement from room to room to minimise how many times I have to do it. I have a house bag for putting everything I need in so it's always in reach :o I should patent it!

SPD sounds horrific - but just because you didn't have drugs in labour doesn't mean you have a high pain threshold..... That's a very hurtful thing to say to some people , like me, who have had a traumatic birth...

Mummy, I'm sorry if you took offence. I have a high pain threshold in general, that was one example of it.

Just because I've not had drugs in labour doesn't mean you should assume I haven't also had trauma during my births.

I've only been pregnant once and had SPD and used crutches and support belts. Still scarily painful. I didn't have an older child or pushchair to manage. Have you been in touch with HomeStart? They could offer a volunteer for a couple of hours a week and help take you and your 1 yr old out. Otherwise I too would say "stay home", your body can only cope with so much.

GP gave me Tramadol for the pain, and tbh I only took a dose at night because I found sleeping and moving around in bed difficult. I barely moved during the last few months of my pregnancy

Glacé, I think it's just going to come down to staying in as much as possible and hoping the time passes quickly :)

But think it's time for a trip to the gp for some pain killers.

Oh Bless you, you really have my sympathies. I get it terribly like you, I'm waiting for it all to kick off anytime from now, I'm 24wks and already my pubic bone is cracking and grinding, dreading that horrid pain. Nothing ever helps does it. This is my 5th pregnancy, the last one was absolutely dreadful. I hope ur GP gives you some meds to help you. Good luck.

Support belt, constant hot water bottles & physio helped me. But the first Physio I saw didn't help in the slightest, it was the second one I saw a week of agony later who helped. Also on both their recommendations I minimised stairs to once a day, as in just for bedtime & morning. Only other good thing was when baby dropped, the pain lessened & moved from bum/back to mostly thighs/hips. I don't know if that's for everyone, but at least it seems closer than the birth!

I second asking for a home start volunteer - they can be so helpful. Also have you contacted your local children's centre and asked for support?

Just use one crutch

Ruby :o

Unfortunately I need both! The time of getting away with only one is gone.

Thanks for all the advice. I've had to realise just how limited I am this weekend. I walked no more than 250 yards, with crutches and support and carrying nothing yesterday. By the end of it I had seized up and today I can barely walk.

Time to accept that dd and I are housebound for now.

How old is your dd 12 months or nearer to two? I am a wheelchair user and sometimes use a mobility scooter. When I had just one young dd I used to put her on my knee on the scooter. You can buy small ones on eBay for approx £75 and sell them on again later.

You could also use a sling where dd is on your front not back, if you are sitting down you shouldn't feel much weight.

OP - I dont (yet) have SPD, but I have some hypermobility and have found Osteopaths fantastic in the past. It can be a bit hit and miss - you need to find a good one so ask around and see if anyone has recommendations, but they shouldn't make your "stretchyness" any worse and might well be able to at least help relieve some pain. Make sure you let them know what the issues are beforehand though, as not all will treat complicated cases like yours. Hope you feel better soon.

Ooh six, are they really that cheap? That would be amazing!

She's closer to 12 months, so that would work.

Thanks pocket, I have been to osteopaths for my back before, if I knew they would help and it wouldn't get worse I'd do it in a flash. Can they really make that much of a difference?

I use a heat pack belt(the microwavable ones) and a surolla support belt for support when standing and walking. I'm still very sore, I haven't had crutches(I got spd a lot earlier (at about 11 weeks) in this pregnancy so might need them yet) but my physio told me no brushing, hoovering or mopping floors or pushing shopping trolleys or buggy because the movement puts pressure on the joints so that may be making your pain worse. I lie on my side with a pillow between my knees instead of sitting upright on the sofa. For the sake of 3 months it is worth looking for someone to take your lo for a few hours a day or to help with day to day stuff to help you get through the rest of your pregnancy. I found it really hard to accept that my spd meant I was limited in what I was able to do during pregnancy but it is only for a short time so hopefully it will go once our baby is born. Unfortunately, as stubborn as I am to carry on with daily living, SPD has won the battle! Codeine is highly addictive so may not be suitable for use during pregnancy or use daily. Your gp might be able to give you a prescription for something safer but as effective. A hot bath and back massage work great too!