Can you describe the pain of SPD or PGP to me...?

[dancingbee]

I'm 37 weeks pregnant and have had a really smooth pregnancy so far. However, past 3 days I feel like I've been hit by a bus and am suddenly struggling to walk. Rolling over in bed has become extremely painful and if I stand up at a normal speed then I feel like my hips are coming out of their sockets. I went for a walk yesterday and was shuffling along like an old lady and needing to hold up the weight at the bottom of my bump.

I assumed I'd started developing spd/ pgp. However, last night I was having quite strong period-type pains. They were very noticeable in my lower back but also started radiating round to the front (just above pubic line). I had a bath which sort of helped but they got worse when I got into bed and had pains radiating down the tops of my thighs.

Felt much better when I woke up this morning and the cramps had gone. However they've just started again with my lower back quite crampy. I can also feel pressure into my bum. I thought the walking might have contributed to the cramps yesterday, but I'm just at home today and haven't moved about that much so don't know why the cramps have started again.

I'm just wondering if this is spd/ pgp and if anyone can describe the pain to me... do you get cramping along with the grinding/ dislocating pain? Does your whole pelvis start to feel warm and achy even when you're not moving? Or might this be separate and more likely to indicate ligaments stretching/ baby dropping/ early signs?

Erm... is your bag packed?

The first part sounds like spd
The recent pains sounds like you should call your midwife. Baby may be on the move good luck x

Ha yes my bag is packed!
Cramps have stopped again now though and I'm back to having this grinding pain when I move. I feel like my pelvis is being pulled apart!

I can't diagnose what it is, but I had SPD and the pain was excruciating if I walked, or tried to step sideways or separate my knees in any way (getting out of the car). But if I stayed still it would die dow eventually, depending on how much I'd attempted to do. It was specifically linked to movement. I could also locate the source of pain if I touched the front of my pubic bone where it joins.

When I was in labour, well, that felt much more like the second part of what you've written and SPD didn't feel the same in any way.

Just my experience though.

I feel like my pelvis is being pulled apart!

This is what SPD felt like for me. I do wonder if you're in early labour though rather than SPD. If it does turn out to be SPD then do be very careful during labour - ask your midwife for advice on birthing positions to minimise risk of pelvic damage.

Short term - try not to push a trolley or a hoover. Keep your knees together as much as possible - e.g. when getting out of the car or out of bed. Avoid stairs.

My PGP was the most intesnse burning sensation in my iliac joint so round the back above my buttocks. I couldn't put weight on that side of my body and I could feel it grinding/ clicking. Happily it stopped once I gave birth but it still does flare up now and again (8 years later!). Typical SPD is pain at the front particularly when you open your legs. Cramps may be early labour/ Braxton Hicks? If its PGP hopefully it will go when your baby is born which might not be that long! Chat to your midwife too.

I feel like my pelvis is being pulled apart! yep SPD

As for the cramps...id guess you LO will be here by this time next week.