Help - SPD (I think)

[essexgirl31]

Dear All,
I have been a lurker on here for a while and I wondered whether I could draw on your experiences and strength?

I am 25 weeks pregnant tomorrow and for the last week have been getting very painful pelvic pain on walking. I?m ok when sitting (well a dull ache) and on standing but when I start to walk its like someone is stabbing me or pulling my muscles in my pelvic area. When the GP pressed on my pubic bone I nearly leapt off the couch! My GP and midwife have been particularly useless. I think it could be SPD and have got an urgent physio referral (after threatening my GP with all sorts).

I am a nurse so have too much knowledge into some of these things but obviously I am not a midwife so in most respects when it comes to my pregnancy and birth (not going there yet!) I know nothing!

I?m having problems adjusting to the fact I am going to struggle for the next 15 weeks of my pregnancy and for sometime afterward. The bursting into tears is not helping me or baby! I?m really worried about having to give up work early and the financial implications this will bring. The thought of long term pain is made worse by the fact that I was off work last year for 11 weeks with a slipped disc! Worse pain ever. I fell thoroughly fed up that I may not enjoy preparing for the baby.

I know I have rambled on and I know there are people out there with worse problems than me. I would really appreciate some help with coping with this?

Thank you ever so much

I'm not sure if it is SPD as I am not entirely sure what constitutes this. I have a similar really painful feeling in the left hand side of my pubic bone. It is there constantly and makes it very difficult to walk and move in general. Somedays I feel almost cripple-like. This is my second child (I am 22 weeks), I have a DS who is 5 and did not experience this first time around. I have a lot more aches and pains this time but this pelvic/pubic pain is driving me nuts. I also suffered from hypomobility after DS1 and every now and then it starts up again. Marvellous. I am seeing my MW in May and will ask her about it all then. Good luck to you and I hope you (we) find some suitable answers/suggestions.

I had spd in both my prgnancies. Can't post anything worthwhile at the moment as I'm at work but can write something later. meanwhile, do a search for SPD as there are lots of threads abnd very useful advice in other threads.

I'm no expert - hopefully one will come along soon - but I'm 24 wks pregnant with my second child and I've been having similar pains for the past 6 weeks, I think its spd but I'm not certain. They're worst when standing up, or rolling over in bed (agony). Wearing a support belt has helped tremendously as has visiting an osteopath who has been painfully massaging the muscles on my inner thigh and tops of legs - apparantly they run into the groin and mine were really compacted. Anyway, it's taken a few visits but I have to say it's made a very great difference. Although it feels nowhere near normal, since Saturday it's been uncomfortbale rather than painful. Hope your physio is helpful.

Hi essexgirl. I have very severe SPD this pregnancy. I've had it in the 3 previous ones too. For me it is extreme pain in the groin, inner thigh and back and down my pubic bone. I was despairing last wk. because I couldn't walk and had to get around the house on all fours (not v. dignified!). I have managed to get hold of some crutches - the GP referred me to the physio.and they have helped enormously around the house. I've also seen an osteopath for the 1st time and have had 2 sessions in quick succession. This has been really helpful - either that or the SPD is resolving to some extent. Now my lower back - sacro-illiac area - feels v.v. achey and stiff but the pain isn't referring to my groin. In my experience, the physio will tell you how to get into and out of bed etc, try you with tubigrip or a fem brace (I found them impossible to wear but others can)etc and tell you to work on your pelvic floor exercises. I think that looking into stg y'self like opsteopathy or acupuncture is useful - check they have experience with preg. women though! You may also find the pain comes and goes - I'm convinced mine's linked to hormone surges and growth spurts because at its peak I'm v. morning sick again. Also saw the consultant y'day who said that I should rest (ha ha with 3 kids under 6!),take paracetamol reg. (8 a day) so that the pain is not allowed to get beyond control and one lot of co-codamol at night for the severe pain. If you are in lots of pain and can't walk you should be signed off, get lots of rest, be as still as poss. and don't lift anything. If it's any comfort with my 1st 3 the pain resolved by 30 wks. Unfortunately not this time. Best of luck and hope this helps!

Thank you ever so much for your responses. It is greatly appreciated. I really admire you coping with children too. This is my first and have no-one else to worry about - well apart from DP!

I?ve gained perspective about it now. I have had a look through previous message boards and does seem that seeing an osteopath or chiropractor maybe a good move. I?m going to see my boss too about managing work. I should be able to work from home for my office days. As for clinical work ? serious negotiating with colleagues is part of my plan of attack for dealing with this!(Or GP for a sick note) I will take it day by day.

Roll on August when I have my baby in my arms.

Thanking you again for your experiences and advice.

I love MN

essexgirl31, I am in Essex too and am also due in August. Whereabouts are you?

I'm in Loughton. Under Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow. You?

Billericay, Basildon Hospital. Just thought if we were closer it might be good to meet up or something. Hey ho. Keep me posted though.

I will do.
Basildon is a great hospital