SPD blues

[PixieDust33]

Anyone suffering from spd, i can barley walk and im only 24weeks, i have crutches to help, but holy cow the pain😪

I don’t have SPD blues but I certainly have sciatica blues. I’ve been housebound aside from hospital appointments since 16 weeks and I’m 28 weeks now. The pain is horrendous, im not fit to do anything. It’s ridiculously hard so you have my sympathies.

I’m also suffering through it at the moment. You’re right that it’s quite a mental struggle as I feel so bloody helpless right now. I had to use crutches on holiday and it really limited what I could do. It can be so frustrating to not be able to run round after DS or clean the house properly!

What belt are you using? I was recommended one by the physio but it’s so hot and itchy and uncomfortable. My last pregnancy was in winter so didn’t have this problem.

Luckily, it does usually clear up once you’ve given birth. It’s a big feeling of relief.

I'm 28 weeks with SPD, and also using crutches outside the house.

Work have been pretty good with arranging a parking space, more accessible meeting rooms, someone to carry equipment etc. but it's still proving pretty difficult. My original plan to work up to my due date has gone out the window.

I find swimming really comforting, though getting the costume on is getting difficult. Kicking my legs hurts, so I just use my arms and tell myself it's great for my bingo wings.
I've got chairs all over the house so I can rest between jobs. I painted the nursery recently whilst sat on a dining chair with a roller on a long stick!

I think i may invest in a support belt, i find using my birthing ball is the most comfortable way for me to sit, this is my 4th baby and the spd has started a lot earlier for me this time, swimming does help as it takes the weight off for a bit, its just the actually getting in and out that is hard.

Im seeing my consultant on Monday because i really cant cope, work is the actually worse, the chair i use to sit on is actually really making it worse, iv been told i can get a cushion. i know this sounds really silly but i haven't used my crutches at work as i feel a bit silly but i think im going to have to as i can barely get into the building.

Any tips on using stairs?? iv been going up backwards on my bum and sitting down to get down to but going down really hurts. x

Hi everyone I feel all your pain. I’m 22 weeks tomorrow and I’ve been having pelvic pain since before 16 weeks. Mine is mainly my sacroiliac joint so the back on my pelvis and my buttock. I’ve seen the physio and she’s given me exercises which seem a bit useless really. I’ve got crutches now too.
I’ve been signed off work for weeks and probably will be til my maternity leave now which leaves me feeling quite useless. I’m a nurse and can’t work if I can’t walk.
If I rest the pain is manageable, but I can’t really get out and about so I’m getting a bit isolated. I’ve not been driving because the pain stops me lifting my clutch foot up.
I’m trying to stay positive though, but it’s hard when people keep saying it’s only going to get worse.
I asked my physio about exercise and swimming, but she didn’t think it was a good idea.
It’s nice to have somewhere to chat about it, I’ve been getting a bit down

Yes, it’s worse with my second pregnancy. I did debate whether to have another for quite some time as the pain was so bad, but I had read that some lucky people don’t get it the second time round! I knew there was always a possibility so it’s my own fault.

Try to get over the embarrassment with the crutches. I found after a day or two I wasn’t too bothered about people staring or asking questions. It’s a good way of signifying to people that you’re in pain and need extra help, so they tend to be more sympathetic. I found that crutches don’t really do much for the pain, but they do make you feel a little more stable. If I don’t use them I feel like my hip is going to pop out of its joint.

Sorry to hear you’re struggling yerp. It is really hard mentally to cope with and feels quite isolating. It’s not really a condition that people speak about either, so it can make you feel quite alone. You should definitely vent when you need to!

Hi milk
I have no idea if my pelvis is unaligned? I guess so but nobody has said. I have appointment with the physio again in two weeks. It’s not really being treated as such, just been told to not overdo it and use crutches when I need to. The crutches make me ache though so don’t think I’m using them right.
I feel and being off work too. Especially when I’m just resting and the pain is manageable but as soon as I do a bit of walking I suffer for it. And I feel I can’t go out because I’m off sick too. Sometimes I’d take the pain and suffer just to get out and have some freedom, but how can I when I’m off sick. Meh

milk thank you so much for your kind reply. I was having a bit of a pity party last night when I posted, but I’m back to myself this morning. The physio did try to show me the crutches in the way you described, but I seemed to lose all co-ordination haha. I will practice at home with them like that though. I’ve shortened them by one notch too which seems to help. My pain seems to be moving to my groin too now which I mentioned to her, but she just said it was all my pelvis and this happens. But I think maybe a second opinion might be helpful, I’ll look into that.

I think today I’m going to try and walk to the corner shop and get some bread (exciting times I know) and get some fresh air too.

pixie I hope you get some help tomorrow with the consultant. It feels like a no win situation doesn’t it when you can’t sit or stand. I hope the crutches help you in work, but I understand it’s embarrassing too, I hate drawing attention to myself.

Milk - my belt is similar to yours but a bit thicker. It’s bloody uncomfortable to wear in the summer as it’s layers of nylon and Velcro. It’s supposed to sit just under the bump but every time I sit down or get in the car it rides up. 10 weeks to go!

It could be worse though. Look at this ridiculous thing I found! Imagine using the loo in that thing.

With my crutches, I’ve been putting the sticks forward with my dominant foot, shifting the weight onto the crutches, a bit like you would if you had a bad ankle. But I’ve been switching sides. I’m getting good upper body strength from using them!

Yerp - your physio should be able to tell you if your pelvis is misaligned. I know some people see ostepaths too, although it’s hard to find a ‘proper’ one.

milk that’s a good question, I’ve been wondering the same.

I’ve been on the pelvic partnership website and there’s a private physio not too far from me. I might phone them tomorrow to see how much it would be. I do have a follow up with the nhs physio next week so might go after that if I don’t get anywhere. What sort of relief should I expect if it works? Would I be likely to get back to work, or would this just flare it up again?
I’m literally on my feet constantly, and if I do sit down it’s not for long because someone needs you for something, it’s so busy. 12 hour shifts too, though could possibly drop to 7.5hr shifts x five days. I reckon at the moment I could maybe manage an hour before I’d be in agony. Think I might have to accept I won’t be back before mat leave. I’m still being paid so should stop stressing really, but I feel like I’m letting them down and like I’m skiving. My DP says to just accept it and enjoy the time off while I can.

dingdong that belt looks awful! Every time I stand up I want to see, so imagine taking that off every five minutes 😂

pixie hope you got on ok with consultant today

Hi ladies, how are we all today??? Iv ordered a belt to help support bump its more of a single band thing, is the the belt above not awkward for the loo and things??? Mind you if it helps its worth it!!, the consultant was a bit useless really, i kinda felt a bit ignored!
I started using the cruthes more but still not at work, i feel like some people will be a bit bitchy about it!!

yerp, try not to feel bad about being off work, these things can not be helped and as a nurse i can imagine how hard you work, and i know theres noooooo way on earth id be able to do what you do pregnant or not and ansolutly not with spd. You just look after you and bump. From my experience it doesnt ease up much and rarely gets easier the more your pregnancy progresses but that is just me, it may well with good advice and help ease up for you hun, but id just see how you get on and do not pressure yourself.

Milk, being pregnant with my son my third tot was the most painful of my pregnancies (i have 3 tots), (i was let down alot in my previous pregnancies with the spd and im determined not to let that happen again) however when i was n actual labour the spd hurt but i managed a home birth with just gas an air, i found a very comfortable position and that helped alot. I think the gas an air really took the edge off for me too, Gravity is a great help too. Iv told my hubby about the stairs too, so hes helping with that, its so embarrassing he has to help me get n the freaking shower too. Xx

Pilates with an osteopath sounds awesome. I think I’m going a bit stir crazy as I can’t get any real exercise at the moment. Other than waddling around the house or an occasional walk around the shops on my crutches! Sadly, there’s not much in the way of classes around here.

Does anyone else have quite a high bump? I feel like mine is in a weird position which might be making me feel a bit more wobbly. I’m hoping once she drops down, it might feel a little more balanced.

Yerp - with regards to the birth, it’s important to let your midwife know about the SPD. One tiny ray of hope is that I was told that women with SPD can have faster labours. My first was under 2 hours. Look for positions where you don’t have to open your legs too much. Birthing ball and all fours are good. I gave birth standing up and leaning on the bed for support.

Be careful when being stitched too. Obviously the stirrups can be a bad idea.

milk those exercises sound very similar to the ones my physio told me to do, I should actually start doing them

dingdong the idea of a faster labour sounds good

I’ve had a really good week I’m getting used to my crutches now and they are really helping. I’ve been able to get out and about and went to a food shop today with DP with him pushing trolley and me just pointing out what I wanted on the shelves small things, but felt more normal. I’m aching loads by the end of the day, but I don’t even care because I’ve been out and seen my friends and went to see my nieces and nephews. I’m feeling loads better
Hope everyone else has had a good week xx

How’s everyone doing?
I’m not feeling too bad. Pain is very manageable when I’m resting and I’ve been signed off til my maternity leave starts at 36 weeks so that takes some of the stress off. Still feel guilty not being in work, especially when I’m sat here with my feet up and not in much pain. But I know I wouldn’t even get from the car park to the ward without the pain starting so I remind myself of that.
I’m running out of ways to stay entertained. Anyone got any good ideas?

Hope everyone is managing in the heat and pains aren’t too bad xx

Hiya ladies🙂,

yerp so glad to hear your resting and that work is not a worry any more, try not to feel guilty you have to do what is best for you and bump. Maybe have a look into some mother and baby groups and go-along tosee what they are like, get a massage, eat out, just totally induldge yourself and bump xx

Im not finishing work until im 34wks but honestly im 27wks in two days and i honestly dont know how im going to get to 34wks without having a full on melt down im not yet sure. Im exhusted and the pain seems to be getting so much worse. Im going through fast physio at work, as i work for the nhs too. Im just taking it a day at a time and trying not to think about getting through tomorrow, or next week or the next few months, if i do i just fill up with anxiety.

Im sorry iv no real ideas for entertainment, i think just going out, seeing friends, seeing family, going to the flicks, swimming, all the things that are going to be hard with a new born do now. Im sooo excited to start mat leave just so i can sit on my birthing ball and eat cookies😂😂.

Does any one struggle with driving??

Xx