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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Symphisis Pubis Dysfunction - what about delivery??

37 replies

gingertoo · 03/05/2007 13:26

I'm 31 weeks and have just been diagnosed as having Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction. Had a good appointment with Obs Physio who was v. helpful. Has given me an enormous three layer 'tubigrip' and a maternity belt to wear, plus crutches for if I have to walk far. She has given me some gentle pelvic floor / pelvic tilt exercises and advice re positions for sitting / sleeping / getting in and out of car..etc . She had even given me some ideas about positions for labour......Only thing I forgot to ask about is the actual delivery. She has specifically said that I should avoid any movement which involves straddling / opening my legs wide
(DS1 and DS2 were vaginal deliveries. No probs.)
Anyone any experience of delivering a LO while suffering from SPD??? Any ideas??

OP posts:

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BettySpaghetti · 03/05/2007 13:31

My Obs Physio advised me to measure the distance I could safely and comfortably open my legs (measure distance between knees) -cut a piece of ribbon/string and get your partner to have it with him whilst you're in labour.

Your DP/DH can keep an eye on you and make sure you don't get carried away without realising it during labour.

Taylormama · 03/05/2007 13:33

i had SPD and delivered my baby vaginally - i laboured upright/walking etc as much as possible as well as kneeling/squatting etc - gave birth actually lying on my back as i was sooooo tired and it was ok - i had the fact that i had SPD written up in my notes so the MW was aware of it.

alinjosh · 03/05/2007 13:33

I have had this in all my pregnancies didnt effect my first 2 births but ds3 i had on my side as didnt cause as much pain as on my back all vaginal deliveries with no pain relief,also make sure the mw delivering you knows about your spd so they dont open your legs to wide but on your side is best

Original poster

gingertoo · 03/05/2007 13:42

Good advice thanks!
Physio has written in my notes - but will mention it to MW also.

The string is a good idea Bettyspaghetti!!

Alinjosh: delivering on side sounds better than back - I physically CAN'T lie on my back at the mo - TOOOOOOOOO painful!

What about after?? What was your recovery like?? Do you think I will need the supports after the birth??

OP posts:

BettySpaghetti · 03/05/2007 13:54

The good news is that the relief can be almost instant once you give birth.

I hobbled into the delivery room on crutches but walked out without them once I'd had DS!

It was still uncomfortable but no where near as painful -just don't go jumping around too much , take care getting in and out of bed, be careful if you sit on the floor with baby for nappy changes/playtime because sitting cross legged for example will hurt.

I can also recommend Pilates further down the line -i did it from about 10months after I had DS. Excellent at strengthening your core muscles.

bubblepop · 03/05/2007 14:07

hiya, i had this too. i would thoroughly recommend a water birth, you can move about freely without spd pain. try to avoid lying on your back to give birth, if you don't fancy water give birth on you left side or maybe on all fours.your coccyx has to be able to move when the babies head emerges and this will relieve the pressure on the bone at the front.afterwards, make sure the midwives know and then you can get stronger painkillers if you need them. i can honestly say that my baby was 6 months old before i felt that the spd pain was completely gone.some people might not like this but i think my recovery coincided with giving up breastfeeding and my body hormones returning back to pre- pregnancy state. good luck

TooTicky · 03/05/2007 14:18

I had to give birth on my back as had previously had a shoulder dystocia (sp?) but it was okay. Very quick, but it was my 4th...
Oh, and if you go swimming, DO NOT do breast stroke.

BetsyBoop · 03/05/2007 14:33

kneeling on hands & knees is also supposed to be a good position for birth (didn't get to try it due to monitoring equipment, BP cuff & drip, but that's another story)

The key things to avoid are opening too wide & also having feet on m/w's hips to push. Make sure DH is clued up on this as you are likely to forget in the heat of things, particularly if you have an epidural, as you won't be able to feel it.

The pain should hopefully be a lot better immediately after the delivery, but don't be surprised if it takes a while to settle down again.
I felt I was just about back to normal at 8 months - but it can take a year or more (or so the physio warned - she will probably come & see you post delivery to check how things are) I b/f until 16months, so I don't think b/f hormones influenced it one way of the other.

Original poster

gingertoo · 03/05/2007 14:44

Bettyspaghetti: I hope I get the 'instant relief' thing! It is so horrid being in pain all the time.

Bubblepop: hadn't thought about water - Makes sense though. Will speak to MW.

Physio has left my appointment open until 6 weeks after delivery, so I can pop and see her before or after the birth if I need to.
Might make an appointment for 36wks so I can discuss the delivery with her.

Thanks all for your posts

Great to know you had vaginal deliveries with SPD as I really don't want a CS if I can get away with it!!

OP posts:

lulumama · 03/05/2007 18:40

this is a great website!

kerala · 03/05/2007 18:56

I had similar SPD experience to you on crutches from 30 weeks. Had a CS but unrelated to SPD. Although there is instant relief afterwards go carefully. I assumed it had gone and after 6 weeks determined to get fit did some skipping (what was I thinking!) and the familiar pain came back. 9 months down the line am fine but still have to be wary of high impact stuff like running or it flares up.

Good luck with birth though.

Also how are you managing with small children and SPD? Am hoping to have DC no. 2 at some point but daunted that DD will be running around by then and I may not be able to run after her...!

cupcakes · 03/05/2007 19:01

I had very bad pelvic pain and saw physios at the hospital pre labour. In the end I laboured and gave birth lying on my side with one midwife helping to support my top leg. I really think it would have been horrible lying on my back - and you end up opening your legs wider.

cupcakes · 03/05/2007 19:02

btw, I had ds (6) and dd1 (3) to look after whilst pg and it is difficult when you're in pain - several memories of lying on floor in pain whilst they watched tv, waiting for dh to get home.

Original poster

gingertoo · 04/05/2007 09:04

Thanks for the link lulumama.

It looks like childbirth on my side might be an option. It is definitely the most comfy position for me at the mo.

As for looking after the little ones: They are both at full-time school which helps loads. They are being really thoughtful, picking toys up and helping me carry things too. Bless them!! AND I have the most fantastic DH. He is doing the shopping and the hoovering and any heavy housework cos I just can't manage it. I feel SO guilty because he's out at work all day.......

OP posts:

Harry2007 · 04/05/2007 09:39

Hi!

I suffered horrendously with SPD during my pregnancy. So much so that I was confined to the sofa for 10 weeks and even had to get help to go to the toilet. I could only get about in a wheelchair and was being admitted to hospital every 4 days for injections of morphine and pethidine to control the pain.

I did see a physio and he measured the distance I could part my llegs - which was 7 cms! This is why ot angers me when people say - "SPD is not a good enough reason to have a C Sectopn." As if I could have delivered my baby when I could only part my legs 7cms!

Anyway, had a fantastic C Section experience, but still suffering from the SPD. Am having physio every week and waiting to see a Consultant to have a operation to insert a plate across my pelvis to keep everything together.

I do hope you have a positive birth experience though - I definitely did!

alinjosh · 04/05/2007 09:47

my spd has always disappeared when i have given birth so i am lucky cant believe that you can go from so much pain to none after birth

ali

Original poster

gingertoo · 04/05/2007 09:56

Harry, poor you! You really have had a bad time of things with the SPD. Mine has definitely not reached that stage yet. I can move around - although all movements are painful ( esp. getting dressed, getting in and out of the car, going up and down stairs) Glad your birth experience was a positive one though I'm going to keep an open mind about that. I'm seeing the MW to discuss my birth plan next week and have appointment with consultant at 36 weeks so I can discuss my options.......

Another slight problem which has only arisen in the last day or two is stress incontinence. I'm emptying my bladder when I go to the loo, but by the time I've hobbled downstairs, I've had a leak. Do you think it's related to the SPD or do you think it's just a part of being 31 weeks pregnant? I've got an open appointment with th physio - is it something they help with??

OP posts:

Songbird · 04/05/2007 09:58

My obs physio also said to check how far you can spread your legs before the pain kicked in, but I never believed I'd have the presence of mind (or thigh strength!) during labour to say, right, that's 20 inches, my legs aren't dropping any further!

Like you I had the strappy belt thing (hated it, actually more continually uncomfortable than the spd iyswim!), and crutches as well - getting in and out of the car and turning over in bed were the worst!

I was lucky though. At about 38 weeks when dd got really engaged good and proper everything settled down - I guess her head stabilised my pelvis!? I was really worried during labour as I was induced so had to fecking lie on my back most of the day (I'm defo not going to be as submissive next time!) and the little bleeder turned round so she was back to back - agony! Then eventually I was strapped into stirrups (one of which kept collapsing!) to have ventouse delivery! I was very worried about the spd but it was fine. And after birth I haven't had a single problem (though the less said about my pelvic floor the better!). So fingers crossed you'll be OK.

Feeling better? Good! A labour horror story or two always makes things right, eh?

Enid · 04/05/2007 09:58

dont give birth on your back it will knacker you forever!

I had spd wtih all three pgs and the absolutely best thing was giving birth in lovely warm water while squatting down

otherwise do not lay on your back - you are asking for trouble, lay on your side or even better squat

foxinsocks · 04/05/2007 10:00

ooh at trying to give birth on your back with SPD

I delivered, both times (with SPD), on all fours - or on knees, with arms on the top bit of the bed (so sort of kneeling). Was much better that way. Could not even bear lying down on my back for the internal exams.

saralou100 · 04/05/2007 10:06

hi gingertoo... i had spd, you really do have my sympathy! not much more i can add to what others have said.. i find my spd pains return when i'm due a period but ds2 is only 5 months so my bodys still getting back to normal!!

stress incontinence is most likely down to the baby pressure, not much you can do about that now... although pelvic floor exercises are always a fabulous idea!

goodluck

Original poster

gingertoo · 04/05/2007 11:12

Thanks everyone! Nice to know I'm not on my own!!
Songbird - Thanks for the story - you can't beat a good horror story!

Agree with you all totally that giving birth on my back is out of the question. Tooooooo painful to even consider!
When the MW examines me at the clinic, she wants me to lie on my back with my legs flat (ooooh it hurts just thinking about it!)
Do I have to get myself into that position for her to measure the baby / have a prod around or is there another way round it??? Anyone know??

OP posts:

EdieMcredie · 04/05/2007 12:35

What is SPD? Im 21 weeks and for the first time I have an ache kind of down below when I walk. Could this be SPD or not? It's fairly painful but not terrible and is definitely an ache rather than a pain.

saralou100 · 04/05/2007 12:41

lulumama posted a good website below edie have a look their

saralou100 · 04/05/2007 12:43

meant to say, ginger i used to be propped up with pillows, omly laying flat if i absolutely had to! talk to your midwife

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