SPD hell

[mustbemad17]

Anybody else struggling? I'm 34+3 & seem to be spending my days having a total melt down because of how much pain i'm in. Physio again tomorrow - my pelvis is wonky (can't remember the official term) so my right side is higher than my left; this seems to mean i'm overcompensating so even my knees & ankles hurt. Trying to take it easy but still have things that can't be avoided...the next six weeks are going to be hell.

Anyone any tips? Or even just want to have a whinge 🙈

I bought a support belt from Amazon that has helped a bit. It lifts my bump to ease the pressure a little. I'm still waiting to see a physio. I'm 33weeks and I've got a lovely gait & resemble an injured duck!

This is what I have.

Osteopath as well as physio, and a belt, as little walking as possible, and get crutches and/or a folding wheelchair if you don't already have them. If you have children already, start calling in childcare favours.
And tell your MW - hope you have good painkillers. GPs can be reluctant to prescribe but the MW can get a consultant to.

I've suffered for the last three months of this pregnancy too- you have my sympathies cos it's tough.
Acupuncture was the best treatment for me- it's worked wonders. Also a tubi-grip band around tummy and hips felt more supportive than a belt. Maybe you can try that if you haven't already.
As baby has dropped, the hip pain has been better (although pubic pain the same) so fingers crossed you also get some relief.
Hope you feel better :-)

I have a belt similar to that which the physio gave me...it's okay unless i sit down (which i'm doing a lot) then it hurts 😂

Osteopath, never thought about that. I've basically been told by the GP to suck it up until birth, which was lovely. I take dihydrocodeine at bed time, then paracetamol during the day. My MW has told me to see what the physio says tomorrow but she has hit a wall with my GP surgery already 🙈

I'm lucky i don't have to do too much, my DD is at school so it's just school run & then basics at home. I live in a flat tho, so dragging my carcass up the stairs takes the piss 🙈

speak my description is usually 'a duck with someone trying to snap its foof in half' - the duck waddle just doesn't cut it now haha. Doesn't help some tosser parked so close to me today i had to climb over from the passenger side...i was making some pretty questionable noises

Albanyd someone else recommended acupuncture, is it something you do regularly or as & when? Willing to do anything right now. I just want to collapse in the bath all day but i can't get myself back out of it without help...don't fancy having to call the fire brigade 😂 am holding off calling DP at work unless it is a genuine 'i really am stuck' situation haha

Right there with you.. 29 weeks and in SPD hell, in tears with it most days. God knows how the next 11-13 weeks is going to be.

I spoke to midwife and she basically said physio is a group session and it's rubbish, get yourself a support belt and you can have crutches if you want them - I said I'd hold out to my next appointment (next week) and see what they say.

Sending supportive hugs, it is hell! Mine has gotten progressively worse so i'm dreading the last 6 weeks. My physio isn't group session but tbf she hasn't done much, given my leg a good tug to realign my pelvis. Altho she had a pillow thing to die for that meant I could lay on my front without little man kicking ten bells out of me...was worth it just for that!!!

I'm dreading ending up on crutches, i hate the buggars. I'm holding out for my natural home birth but tbh right now if someone offered me an induction at 37 weeks i'd kiss them

I went to a group physio was great. Plus she taught all the partners how to do a special spd massage that was lovely

You also need a special pillow to support your top leg and bump

Pillow between the knees in bed helped me a lot, but I don't think I had it anything like so bad.

I've got the pillow...got a 9ft one that is a frigging godsend! I do like the sound of this SPD massage haha. My partner is fab, he really tries to make sure i'm resting up & he does a decent massage. Just need something that delivers it permanently!!

Just got stuck in a sitting position in the bath, took my dp lifting me straight up to get out. Cue lots of hysterical tears. It's a good job these babies are worth it

The following link is to a charity that has a list of recommended practitioners. I had Physio in my first two pregnancies, absolutely terrible SPD. It started again in my third and I found a chiropractor recommended by the pelvic partnership and I saw her about 3 times and she basically cured me. Worth a look!

pelvicpartnership.org.uk/

I had twins so I had a double dose of relaxin - my SPD started about week 17 and by the time I had an emcs at week 35 hadn’t slept for well over a month and was in constant agony.

The other thing that helped at all was a zero gravity recliner chair

Physio physio is all I can say, and get a chiropractor to realign you a couple of months after birth. Acupuncture is also pretty good in combination.

If you can afford it or have cover find a private specialist in female physiology - a multi skilled practitioner. An all in one stop - it kept me walking, bad SPD, combined with historic back injury.

The support belts are great as well - again in combination with Physio (if your SPD is bad).

Unfortunately SPD care is a little bit of a post code lottery

Sincere sympathies, and I hope you get the help you need soon & start feeling less pain.

I am in increasing pain and only 19+1....still a long way to go!
I have seen Physio and got the serola belt. Neither has made a dramatic difference !
I want to supplement this by seeing an osteopath or chiropractor; but what is the difference and which is more appropriate?
I was on crutches by 30 weeks last time and feel so miserable....

Sorry that you are feeling so rubbish, is it worth asking the physio for crutches tomorrow? Not sure if this would help you but worth asking if you think it might.
Would also recommend the chiropractor, I have been seeing someone who really helped me.
The belts are only meant to be worn whilst walking/upright not whilst sitting which might be why you feel uncomfortable when sat down in it.

Osteo is worth a go, it kept me moving for a few extra weeks.

I second the poster above who says chiropractor. I’ve had 5 babies, had it so bad with dc1 I was high strength painkillers, crutches and couldn’t get myself out of bed/dressed unaided. I found a good chiropractor in pregnancy #2 and was basically cured within about 3 sessions, had no spd with baby 3, had a few sessions in prg #4 as I’d felt the telltale twinges of it and afterwards it didn’t progress and no spd with baby #5.

physio was pretty much useless, just told me the dos and don’t say of positioning with spd and gave me the crutches, tried a belly belt but it was pretty rubbish(I was huge and felt it gave no support anyway let alone helping the spd)

A chiropractor is usually about £60 for the first session and £20-30 a session after that, it’ll be the best money you’ve spent and you may find you only need a couple to sort the problem!

Thanks for all the suggestions ladies - sympathy to anyone suffering, i actually wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy! Will speak to the physio tomorrow about next steps then get booked in with someone for some manhandling.

I could have written your post OP!
Misaligned pelvis which wasn't noticed or spotted for two years after having my son so this pregnancy has been hell on earth from about 8 weeks!
I'm 35 weeks now and TBH the only thing that helps me at this point is rest! I spend my days lying on the sofa with a pillow between my legs and a hot water bottle on my lower back!
Try to pace myself and do little jobs then rest!
There's some good facebook support groups with hundreds of women who are suffering or have been through it on there
Lots of support and advice
Type in spd/pgp and they should come up xx

Oh god User i don't know how you have coped!! Honestly the last 7 weeks have been hell...sod doing an entire pregnancy like this.
I'm finding it difficult to lay for too long on my side, my hip & thigh starts to feel like i've camped on concrete (think i have sciatica as well, yay) so even resting brings issues. I want a pillow with a big bump sized hole in it so i can wallow all day on my front.

Thank you for the group suggestion i'm off to have a nosey

I only had it really mildly with my son towards the end, so it came as abit of a shock at 8 weeks when I could barely walk
Thankgod with the help of the Physio and my partner taking on all household chores I've managed to just about cope! Just
I haven't been able to 'nest' tho which is killing me :(
I was taking painkillers at one point but they were only taking the edge off so for me they weren't worth it!

Ahhhh yeah I know exactly what you mean, I try to alternate which side I lie on! Lying on my back is so painful but being on my left side is ok!
Just try and move abit every 30 mins or so

I'm dreading to think about the muscle wastage I'm causing, never thought I'd say this but I will be so glad when I can get back to exercising!! Actually I will be glad when I can just walk without wincing haha

I have crutches 😭 okay, okay, i will begrudgingly admit that they are already making a difference, but shhh don't tell anyone 😂

Physio has told me off for doing too much...the plan of action in her eyes is do nothing unless absolutely necessary. So now i'm on the sofa with my pillow & trashy telly