SPD - what's the best thing to do...

[grace11]

I developed SPD (symphysis pubis dysfunction) in my last pregnancy but luckily not until until quite late on so I managed without help from a physio etc. I'm now 17 weeks pregnant and have noticed sharp pain in my groin and even my bum and just put it down to growing pains. However, last night I noticed it came on after I'd sat with my legs apart, so I'm pretty sure this is the start of the dreaded spd. It's really annoying as I saw the midwife yesterday and just didn't put two and two together. I want to try and get some exercises and advice very soon so I can manage this and prevent it getting bad - has anyone got any advice about what I should right now re exercise, sleeping, things to avoid, and getting help - should I call the midwife, see the gp, have acupuncture, see an osteopath, physio, etc. Thank you! I know the pain that's ahead of me so panicking... I was about to start yoga too - and then remembered that this was the one of the things that caused it last time!!

You really need to support the bump with support knickers, vests or a band. Try not to spread your legs too much. Keep your knees together (difficult I know) put a pillow between your legs to sleep at night. A specially designed sleep pillow might help.
Exercise wise, there's things you can do. It's hard to explain the exercises, but there are several videos on YouTube that will show you what to do. Swimming is also lovely. Take painkillers if the pain is bad and speak with your midwife about a referral to physio. You don't want to end up on crutches or in a wheelchair.

I know how you feel though, I had it with number 3. Agony.

A band worked well for me, I also got signed off work sick at 28 weeks as was to the point if needing crutches, that really helped. The midwife told me off when I worried about going off sick and said I had myself, a toddler and soon a new born baby to think of and to put the family first.
She was right and I don't regret it.
Apart from that, paracetamol before bed, pillows between knees and ankles to sleep, keep knees together as much as possible. Plus the band helped keep my maternity jeans up!

I got SPD with my second child (felt like my pelvis was going to collapse in the middle - horrible feeling, so sympathies, OP!), and went straight to an osteopath. I'd had hip problems after my first was born, and after asking about it for weeks, I got some pretty useless physio that left me with a dodgy hip for years, so this may have prejudiced me against going the GP/physio route.

However, the osteopath was brilliant, I was worried about what it might involve but it was all very gentle, he obviously understood how pregnant bodies work, and more importantly, it sorted out the problem. I also saw him after the birth which was helpful too.

Thanks everyone, very helpful. I'll phone the midwife Monday and see how helpful they are going to be - I have a feeling an osteopath might be the best route at this point x

If anyone has any recommendations for reasonably priced osteopaths specialising in spd in London I'd really appreciate it if you shared them - just found a couple who look great but on Harley Street, so too much for me x