Crutches for SPD, anyone else?

[charlottexox]

I'm only 23 weeks on second baby but really struggling to get around due to SPD. I went to physio today and she gave me a crutch to use. I had one on DD but SPD wasn't as severe as this time!
Although, DD is 2 in August so I still push her around in a buggy. Was thinking of using my crutch on weekends when DP is there to push her around. I just feel so daft with a crutch though, like it feels like people expect me to have a broken leg or something!
Just wondering if anyone else has used a crutch(es) during SPD and if it helped and if you felt daft too?

I have crutches for spd too. I got them three days ago. I'm 34weeks now and for the last 3 weeks I could hardly walk to the bathroom never mind anything else. They have been a life saver. If its a case of me using these or staying in bed for 6 weeks ill take them. They have helped massively. Im still in pain but can actually made me able enough to walk round the house and garden. X

I'm 21 weeks with my second and SPD has already kicked in - I broke my knee a couple of years ago and I've already dug the crutches out ready. I'm fully expecting to be on them fairly soon.

They didn't give me them last time as I literally saw the physio once; basically went here, have a giant tubigrib and get on with it. I have no doubt I should have been on them though as I was bloody crippled

Yikes 23 weeks is very early for crutches. Did the Physio offer you any other treatment?

My SPD kicked in at 24 weeks - am now 37 and so far still pretty mobile (no crutches) - in my first pregnancy I was immobile by now.

What has worked for me:

• treatment 2x a week with a women's health Physio who knows about SPD. A bit of Pilates but mainly release work (massage but painful!!)
• a serola belt
• staying off my feet as much as possible. Haven't walked further than the end of the street for 3 months. V maddening but worth it to stay pain free.

- avoiding stairs, keeping knees together at all times, pillow between legs when sleeping.

• icing groin to reduce inflammation and wheat pack on bum for glute pain.

If you can I really recommend getting some Physio treatment and the serola belt (though all SPD is different and it may not work as well for you). 17 weeks is a long time to struggle on with SPD - I tried in first pregnancy (idiot osteo told me to "stay active" which ultimately led to me twanging my pelvis walking the dog and being crippled in week 36) and it took a good 6 weeks post birth for it to subside. The recovery from the SPD was worth than the recovery from the CS!! This time round I've been diligent in managing it ($$$ though) and so far so good - I'm in pain but not nearly as bad.

Have you tried a pelvic belt? Not to be confused with one of those pregnancy support belts. These really helped me.

I read on one web site to be careful with belts. If your pelvis or SIJ is misaligned, wearing a belt will hold it in the wrong position which will make the pelvic girdle pain/SPD worse.

Please please look on the Pelvic Partnership and go to see a recommended provider who will fully assess and manipulate the joints to the correct position.

I had this done last week and along with my physio exercises I’ve managed to have relatively little pain for the last few weeks. I had previously seen a Physio who was supposedly a pelvic specialist, but she didn’t manipulate my joints back into alignment so I continued being in pain.

Edit: Should have written relatively little pain for the last few days.