SPD

[annatha]

Dr Google tells me I've got textbook spd. I mentioned it to my midwife at my 16 wk appointment and she brushed it off saying all women experience pains in pregnancy and because of the 12 month age gap my body won't have had chance to recover properly. I'm going to try and get in the doctors tomorrow because its just getting worse, but I was wondering what they can actually do about it? Any tips for coping/not making it worse?

I've been seeing a physio since about week 20 for SPD which has been pretty helpful. I ended up paying for it myself (about £40 per week) as the NHS referral would have taken a month or more and I wanted to start right away. I've also been wearing a serola belt and doing some core strengthening exercises recommended by my physio. The serola belt has definitely helped with my commute in and out of London which was killing me before. Lots of hot baths, not walking too much, a pillow between my knees when I sleep, keeping my knees together when I get in and out of my car etc. - I think all of these things are helping a bit. It's still painful but I'm really glad I saw the doctor and got physio sorted - I think it would have been much worse if I hadn't done anything about it!

If you can afford it, pay to see a Physio or osteopath or chiropractor who specialises in women's health or pregnancy. I also found acupuncture helped a lot with the pain

And Pilates is good.

Thanks ladies, that's really helpful. I'm 20 weeks tomorrow so I want to do something before I get bigger and more uncomfortable. Lorela did you find the physio yourself or did the doctor give you details for one?

I managed to get myself on a group class for SPD (through the NHS) but that was only on my second pregnancy. During my first the MW was very dismissive and said it was normal - I didn't figure out she was wrong until it was too late to do anything about it!
The group class was great though. The main things I took away from it was to try to sit up completely straight (no slumping on the sofa!) and to take very small steps like you're wearing a tight skirt. We got advice on sleeping too which involved multiple pillows and is a bit difficult to explain!!

I got a referral for physio through my mw. I started feeling it at 16 wks and was v worried it would get so much worse. I have also been doing pregnancy yoga an practising the physio and yoga exercises at home.

I am now 24 weeks and it's not bad at all. I can't believe exercises helped so much, it was much worse by now with previous pregnancies

Get a sleeping bag, turn it inside out and sleep on top of it, it is cushioned so feels comfy but more importantly acts as a slide sheet so you can roll over in bed more easily. It actually reduced my pain during the day as well because I wasn't in so much pain at night as well.

I got details of a physio from my gp as I wanted to be sure that I was going to someone good and wouldn't really have known where to start looking or who to ask for advice on who to see.

I'm happy to give recommendations of people who've helped me with spd in both pregnancies. I'm in London - pm me.