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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Possible SPD, any pain management tips!

16 replies

Htaylor182 · 07/10/2018 17:35

Past month I've noticed pain when walking 30mins + it's been achey but manageable. Today we went pumpkin picking, didnt do no lifting just walking up and down the patch for ahout 3 hours and on the way back I could hardly walk. Now I'm home I literally cannot move I am in so much pain. Its all round my groin, pelvis area, my hip joints. Almost feels like everything has seized up. I never had it in my first pregnancy, and must admit I've been a bit blindsighted to how painful it is. Reading up online it sounds like SPD. It says be reffered for physio, is it easier to go through gp or midwife? As midwife appoint is a month away. I'm currently 19 weeks atm and kinda want to get it sorted or at least manage the pain as I work as a cleaner and can't afford to take anymore time off!

OP posts:

physicskate · 07/10/2018 17:43

I'm in a similar position, though my pain has been increasing over the last 7 weeks. I mentioned it to the midwife who was fairly unsympathetic, but it's now really interferes with normal life activities... I'm 18 weeks and would love to find out what is normal pelvic discomfort and what is spd and needs physio!!

For example I couldn't push the shopping cart today - too painful in my crotch!! When I walk it feels like I've been kicked with a steel-toe boot!!

Spam88 · 07/10/2018 17:44

In my area you just self-refer to physio, but give your midwife a ring and they can let you know the process there. Have a look on the nhs website - there's some good advice there. Mostly it's all about trying to keep your knees together/legs parallel at all times and not doing anything involving standing on one leg. Other than the standard advice, I'd add that even on a good day you should avoid overdoing it because you'll pay for it the next day.

Spam88 · 07/10/2018 17:46

kate that definitely sounds like spd. Don't let your midwife fob you off! Mine started by saying 'there's not really anything you can do about it' but the physios definitely disagreed.

Foodylicious · 07/10/2018 17:50

If you can stretch to it I cannot recommend a chiropractor enough. One that specialises in women/antenatal and postnatal etc.

2 weeks ago I was suddenly unable to weight bear on my right leg and could only just about hobble about the house with crutches.

By the end of the day I had had first treatment it was easing and continued to get better over the next few days. I had a few follow up visits and am managing ok at short distances. 40+2 today.

I was really upset when I literally could not walk. The thought of being like that for another few weeks whilst tying to look after my 4yr old was awful.

I was also rally worried about how I would cope with labour as I want to be as active as I can.

1st consultation (1hr) was £55 and follow up visits were £32.

Foodylicious · 07/10/2018 17:52

Physio can give you tips re living and some exercises, but it's nothing to what a chiropractor can achieve (imo and I have seen both).

Foodylicious · 07/10/2018 17:52

*moving not living

Foodylicious · 07/10/2018 17:54

Oh, and if you do want to refer to physio room your midwife can do it for you. Don't wait for your appt with her , just give her a ring/text and ask her too.

Original poster

Htaylor182 · 07/10/2018 19:49

Thanks everyone. Im feeling pretty lousy and pathetic. I literally had no idea that it could be so painful. Very naive of me. Went over inlaws tonight and they weren't very sympathetic saying why am I laying on sofa and not helping to cook the roast etc. They are lovely but can be a bit insensitive sometimes plus DH step mum has never had kids which doesn't help things anyway she's been very down my throat about how to bring a baby up. I also have a 4 year old but she's been super helpful this evening. I'll look into paying for sessions, anything to relieve it a bit as I had a month off work with HG I've only been back 2 weeks so I can't take time off again really although OH said just quit but I actually like having some routine to my day. I did leave early last week as after doing the hoovering I couldn't move but just put it down to over doing it as I was scrubbing skirting boards etc. Hopefully it will be better by morn as I've got a long shift tomorrow. I'm in bed now with DD and it's fine laying on my side but soon as I go to move it hurts again. I hope the rest of this pregnancy isn't going to be like this, I can cope with pain but it's the fact that you don't kmow when it's going to end is the bit that I can't cope with. Actually feels like I'm rusty and my hip joints need oiling as stupid as that sounds lol

OP posts:

Foodylicious · 07/10/2018 20:21

Really hope you get some relief soon.
And don't Hoover!! It twists you in a way that will def make it worse.

I spent hours crying about it until I was a bit/lot better.
Obviously results will vary from person to person, but I was astounded at how much better I was.

Original poster

Htaylor182 · 07/10/2018 21:12

Maybe I should cut down work until mobility is better as I hoover 2 or 3 times a day with cleaning peoples houses and use a steam cleaner same amount too. Mine never gets hoovered as I can never be bothered when I get home, oops!
I must admit it's only technically been half a day of being in pain and I'm struggling, thing is if it was anywhere else I'd be fine but it's the not being able to walk, move when wanted etc! Simple things you take for granted. Even getting up the stairs was a mission. Feel for anyone suffering with this never realised it was so bad! I've found some local Chiropractors so will be calling them up tomorrow so hopefully will be able to move a bit more freely!

OP posts:

antwaki · 07/10/2018 21:22

Having heeded my midwifes advice that there is 'not much to be done', I just put up with it and had a miserable pregnancy due to the pain. Also did further significant damage to my ligaments during labour having had a v extended labour involving stirrups. Ended up in wheelchair and then Zimmer frame for first 6 months of DD's life. Grim. I encourage you to read all you can, be assertive with dismissive health care professionals and try and advocate for yourself to get treated by physios and specialists. It's a bloody painful condition and I now know that's it's bollocks that there isn't much to be done.

hoping2018 · 07/10/2018 22:16

I'm in the same boat - I'm 23 weeks and was off work Friday with the pain . Midwife told me it sounded like SPD and there was no point in seeing me as I just needed physio (which she'd refer me to only when she saw me in 10 days time and then there'd be a two month waiting list) and some painkillers.

Needless to say I was at my wits end thinking how can I cope another 17 weeks of this!

Saw private physio who said NOT spd but muscular pain from all the ligaments stretching so the muscles are under more strain and not up to the job - given me close follow up and exercises but she was very positive she could get me considerably better. Already improved a bit.

Go see a physio ASAP! Good luck

MicheleWeinberger · 07/10/2018 22:29

I saw an osteopath and it was the best £55 I ever spent. I went from barely being able to walk to almost skipping out of the clinic.

This combined with a bump support. A good one. Being careful with scissor motions with your legs. Like getting in and out of your car always keep legs together. Walking up stairs. Do 1at a time.

Really helped. Also push for physio referral.

Benby · 07/10/2018 23:25

First off no pushing shopping trollies, sit down to put your trousers on, plastic bag on the seat of your car so you can swivel in, stairs one at a time, no baths but the best thing I done was pillow between legs in bed and a duvet on your mattress.
It's a horrible thing but it can be managed. I had it on dd1 and still went back to have 3 more lol

Benby · 07/10/2018 23:29

One more thing don't try turn over lying down your pelvis will crack and the pain is terrible sit up and then change sides.
I know it's a lot but it will be worth in the end and also no stirrups in labour.

dinosaurkisses · 07/10/2018 23:36

SOme really good advice on this thread about physio etc.

I was climbing the walls by 26 weeks with my last pregnancy- I booked a pregnancy massage out of pure desperation and it really helped.

It was with a proper physio and not woo at all- they’re specifically designed for pregnant women. I had loads of tension in my hips and thighs and in the days afterwards I started to feel way less stiff and just generally less achey.

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