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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

SPD....I need to walk 3 miles a day.

37 replies

caley1 · 23/02/2015 21:49

Hi. I am currently 15+6 weeks pregnant with dc3. I suffered from SPD last pregnancy and at the end couldn't walk very far and had to stay at home most of the last few weeks. It worked out ok as I didn't work and my son was just at preschool so it was ok if he missed some days.
This pregnancy SPD has hit already and it looks as if it's going to get really bad again. This time my circumstances are different though. I have 2 kids in school and I have a part time job. My husband works outwith the town we live in so he uses the car and I have always just walked. It's a mile to my work and back and half a mile to school and back. So I need to walk 3 miles every day Monday to Friday.
How on earth am I going to do this??!!
Thankfully my midwife has been amazing and referred me to physio which will start this Friday. Do you think there's a chance I can be helped enough that I can still walk to work and school?
I know this question is a bit like how long is a piece of string...just wondered if anyone had any experiences which could offer any hope.
We can't afford a second car or taxis, it's not on a bus route and I don't have anyone who could help me every day with all these journeys.
Wish I had wings!

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SunbathingCat · 23/02/2015 22:00

This reply has been deleted

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MollieCoddler · 23/02/2015 22:03

I had this and although physio was ok the thing that really helped me was reducing my walking massively.

If this isn't possible cycling might actually be better

Original poster
caley1 · 23/02/2015 22:04

Thank you Sunbathingcat that is an idea worth considering. I can't think of any other way. Either that or a wheelchair! Don't think I could do 3 miles with crutches, which seems to be what they offer if it is that bad.

OP posts:
MollieCoddler · 23/02/2015 22:04

The only thing I can say whichight give you hope is that my symptom were much milder towards the end of my pregnancy. I know it is the opposite for most people

MollieCoddler · 23/02/2015 22:05

Oh yes and get a belt asap

Original poster
caley1 · 23/02/2015 22:06

Thank you Mollie I hadn't thought about cycling. No idea if I could manage that without pain but worth a try...

OP posts:
MollieCoddler · 23/02/2015 22:08

I found cycling pain free but getting on and off the bike was tricky!

Original poster
caley1 · 23/02/2015 22:08

Yes I remember the belt well and I will be begging for one on Friday. I had a 3 pronged thing the last time which had gigantic velcro straps.

OP posts:
mousmous · 23/02/2015 22:09

can dh use public transport so you can have the car?
some minicab companies do good deals for regular use as well.

Zahrah5 · 23/02/2015 22:12

If you manage it properly perhaps you can still be walking for a while.
I would go to physio and get a belt immediately. Start doing physio exercises as soon as you can.

Perhaps your husband can eventually consider alternate work transport?

Can you or your husband work from home in some days?

westcountrywoman · 23/02/2015 22:12

Hire a mobility scooter? Assuming the DC are old enough to walk alongside.

Original poster
caley1 · 23/02/2015 22:13

Possibly mousmous thank you. Again it's more money but we would have a lot less if I couldn't get to work!
Just hate the thought of upheaval to dh too. Makes me feel a bit useless that our whole routine may change because my body doesn't cooperate :(

OP posts:
thenightsky · 23/02/2015 22:17

Have you tried asking to hire/borrrow a mobility scooter? You could try freecycle.

MrsCakesPrecognition · 23/02/2015 22:17

Could DH cycle while you have the car?
Or could he get a lift from a colleague (even if he had to catch a bus somewhere to meet up)?
Or even hire a mobility scooter? Although I've no idea if you could use a scooter safely while escorting small children.

Original poster
caley1 · 23/02/2015 22:18

Zahrah thank you I will be asking for a belt and hoping the physio can help strengthen me up. Prepared to do any exercises that keep me mobile. Writing from home isn't an option for to the work we do.

Westcountrywoman sounds like a great plan. Think the boys would be wanting on it too! Wonder what prices are like. I am determined to all get around even if it means on wheels.

(I have roller skates and sons could pull me along)

OP posts:
mousmous · 23/02/2015 22:18

well, it's his baby, too, that you are brewing :)

TheRealMaryMillington · 23/02/2015 22:22

I don't think it's at all unreasonable to expect your DH to cycle/get public transport if possible, at least part of the time. Could he drop the kids at school in the mornings?

FWIW I had horrendous SPD/sacroilliac pain in 2nd and 3rd pregnancies and both times a chiropractor really helped. Enormously. Kind of undignified but really worth it.

Original poster
caley1 · 23/02/2015 22:23

MrsCakes I am sure dh would cycle if it was closer it is a good 20 miles and most of it dual carriageway. It's a small place he works and colleagues are from other towns nearby. Thanks for your suggestions though.
Thank you all it's great to think of ideas I really can't let this beat me.

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Original poster
caley1 · 23/02/2015 22:26

Thank you I think you are right in that I may have to use car instead.
Fingers crossed for physio working magic though. I might not even need it to get this far.

(yeah right who am I kidding)

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BoffinMum · 23/02/2015 22:37

I had horrific SPD and virtually lost the ability to walk but oddly enough was able to cycle with a special saddle. Would that be a possibility? Another option might be an electric bike, to reduce the pedalling a bit. My youngest gets taken to school on something like this:

Electric scooter

They are 12+ for riding but I think passengers can be any age. There is no tax or insurance to be paid, and the same rules apply to them as push bikes.

Original poster
caley1 · 23/02/2015 22:42

Wow thanks boffinmum I might have to see about getting one of these!

OP posts:
Christelle2207 · 23/02/2015 23:03

I had it really bad last pregnancy amd couldn't walk a couple of hundred metres. However I cycled past my due date so worth thinking about if you can't get car organised. Currently pg with dc 2 and it's actually not been anywhere near as bad this time yet BUT I haven't pushed myself nearly as far either (used to run lots but now too tired looking after toddler!). Try taking it easy now and you might be surprised!

seaoflove · 23/02/2015 23:07

Speaking as someone who has SPD much worse in my second pregnancy compared with the first, you can't. There's just no way your body is going to let you walk three miles a day.

If I "overdo it" (i.e. walk to the corner shop half a mile away) I am in so much pain for the rest of the day I can barely function.

You're going to need a Plan B.

WhatHo · 23/02/2015 23:14

Another one who got SPD at 16 weeks and was in exquisite pain by 30 weeks:

Bear in mind that quite apart from the pain and how BAD it is for your pelvis to crunch and rub along for 3 miles a day, every day, you will walk slower than a granny with a zimmer frame. It will take you about five times longer to do the walk so you'll have to leave the house earlier and earlier.

You DH needs to work with you to find a solution. You'll be mobile for a while of course and the belt of joy will help, but as we know in general SPD is degenerative as you get heavier and more pregnant and I don't think it'll be feasible by the end.

Mollie the idea of putting the stabbing pain in my pubic bone on a narrow bike seat to jolt over every pebble in the road - no no no Shock did you really?!

WhatHo · 23/02/2015 23:16

Wow all these people who cycled. I simply never considered it. huh, who knew?