Pregnancy & SPD 😢

[xxxelh14]

Currently 34 weeks with #2 and SPD is now unbearable 😢 This week I’ve been unable to even walk without crying in pain. GP gave me codeine (which I hate taking as they make me feel awful) I’ve been referred for physio about 2 weeks ago, but the waiting list is 6-8 weeks 😣 I’m having to walk 4 miles a day. Woken up today unable to even walk, but having to force myself 👎🏼 Anyone have any tips/advice to ease the pain?!

Quick reply as about to head off to school - will reply properly later. In same boat. Google "pelvic partnership" it's a start.

SPD is a nightmare isn't it :( Do you sleep with a pillow between your knees, as that can help slightly. I often found that when I woke up, gentle rotations of my hips and slight, gentle squatting could relieve some of the immediate post-sleeping position pain.

I'd recommend making an urgent appointment with your midwife as she'd likely be more sympathetic and knowledgeable about pregnancy SPD than your GP. That's my experience, at least.

I also found the NHS physio class on SPD a complete waste of time (including the painful walk through the hospital just to get to it. The information is all there online and it's more about helping you understand what SPD is, with a few helpful tips).

Discuss it with your midwife, as if it becomes unbearable/affects your everyday life too negatively, she may discuss trying to bring labour day forward if everything is safe and healthy. I'm not sure if that's what you want and alot of people are opposed to it, but midwives take the mother's well-being very seriously now and a stressed pregnant lady in alot of pain can have a BIG impact on labour.

Do you have to walk 4 miles a day?? What for? Is that to keep the joints mobile or because you need to for another reason? With mine I had to stay mobile, but I can't tell if you're walking for a commute or to keep the SPD under control? 4 miles seems a lot.

I'm sure you've been told the basics - pillow between legs for sleeping, plastic bag on chairs for swiveling etc. There are a few other good tips like this for how to get in/out of bed, google or YouTube have videos.

I ended up with a large doubled over tubi grip around my hips, prescribed by physio. It was a huge help in the day time. Perhaps you could try one of those, I think Boots stock the large ones.

Good luck, it really is miserable. The good news is that the pain will soon disappear but you must not assume your hips/pelvis will recover that quickly. I still get niggling pains when I over do it, three years on.

Can you afford to see s chiropractor privately?

I am 38 weeks today and a few days ago the pgp suddenly got loads worse and I could barley walk or weight bear on my right leg. Thankfully I had some crutches already so managed just about to hobble about the house, but OH had to do the school run and pretty much everything else.

I saw a chiro on weds and honestly I can believe the difference!
It was not immediate, but later the same day quite significant improvement and even better yesterday and today

Still being careful, using the crutches a bit as still getting some twinges.
Have another appt today.

I got really upset and panicy about it and the impact it could have on me having an active labour/birth. Feeling so much better about it all now

The initial 1hr consultation and treatment was £55 and today's 40 min appt will be £32.

Of you can stretch to it, I really recommend you try.

I will probably have another appt next week too

Yeah, I sleep with a pillow between my legs, although I sleep sat up majority of the time now as I suffer with heartburn and it’s the only way I can get comfy or fall asleep.

My midwife is fully aware, I saw her yesterday and see her every 2 weeks. All she suggested was physio and an appointment with the GP to get pain killer.

I’m having a planned c-section at 38 weeks, I’m so fed up and consultants have said unless baby was at risk they won’t change anything. They’ve said 38 weeks is the earliest. ☹️☹️☹️ So don’t reckon they’ll change the date/ bring it forwards.

I need to battle the next 4 weeks of pain. Wish it was as easy as just sitting in bed all day until D-Day X

@Foodylicious I honestly wish I could afford it ☹️ I’ve had a look online already, and it’s £40, then £35 a session, as a single mum it simply isn’t affordable. Xx

Sorry to hear that xxxelh14

It's probably a long shot (and might still be too much) but occasionally they have deals on Groupon, though I would suggest you call the place before buying a deal to check when they could fit you in and that they can meet your needs.

I have the same problem. I've found it is significantly worse after exercise. And by exercise I mean walking more than 15-20min. So if I were you I'd try to cut out that 4mile walk if at all possible.

I’ll definitely keep an eye out on Groupon, didn’t think about them tbh. Thank you.

I’ve been on YouTube, but don’t want to make things worse trying to do it myself.
I’ve asked my younger sister if she knows of anyone at her uni that’s could help me out... cheap for me and experience for them. 🙌🏼

@Liz3891 I have to do the school run daily... twice a day. 2 miles in the morning, and 2 miles in the afternoon. 😣 DS is only 4 in his 3rd week of school so can’t ask him to walk himself & haven’t yet got to know any parents to be cheeky and ask for help. Xx

It's def worth checking out with the local uni too

OP when I was younger my mum suffered bad post natal after having my brother. She contacted the school and they managed to arrange for me to walk with a family a few doors away. worth a shot?

When you do walk try to keep your knees as close together as possible. I used to call it the penguin shuffle and it seemed to help.

You might be surprised about the school run. Is there a year group Facebook page? A lady was pregnant in my DDs first year of school and she put a plea out for help with the school run - this was back when hardly anyone knew people - and plenty of people helped out.

This is my 3rd pregnancy with pgp (and I have sciatica too), so I have a 6yo and toddler too, daily school run and a very busy life. I'm currently 38 weeks pregnant and we'll past my pain limit. Here are the things I do that help:

• hot water bottles and massage on myself (you can use a tennis ball to roll it around on the worst areas and it really helps)

• clenching bum when walking up stairs

• maternity support belt but only for walking places

• keeping knees together when turning in bed

• preparing dinner sat at the table (means carrying things but less standing) as well as doubling up end freezing to reduce cooking

• tasks in small burts and then a rest

• rotating on a birthing ball is a huge relief / sitting properly in a well supported chair

• various physio exercises (in the interim try standing against a wall with your knees at right angles and clenching your bum and drawing in your lower tummy a bit, stand up and repeat)

I've just had a quick look on YouTube and searched "pgp exercises" and there are lots of there, so that might be worth a try - at this point I kind of think nothing to lose! I've just watched this one and actually I have done all of these over the years as recommended by physio. What the exercises won't do is identify your problem areas and the cause.

Make sure that you get postnatal support if you need it. I didn't after my first pregnancy and it got worse.