SPD

[bethandfreyaruby]

So, I'm currently 32+3 and today, my consultant confirmed I have SPD.

This is my second pregnancy, and I have been suffering just over 3 weeks. I'm in absolute agony. Can barely get a good nights sleep, I can't play with nearly 2YO half the time and struggling to keep up with work/housework/general life.
Consultant said that hot water bottles, paracetamol and a support band (her words were "not that they're proven to change very much") are my best way forward, as it's just going to "get worse"!
I don't plan to leave work for maternity until I'm 38 weeks and really don't want to take it early but I am struggling so much.

Anyone got any advice, tips, home remedies that seem to ease the pain?!

It's like reading my own post, 32 weeks today and in agony. Actually wake myself up in the night as I'm crying out in agony rolling over
Looking forward to any good ideas that pop up on here!
Good luck with everything! Xx

Physio by a specialist in pregnancy. If that doesn't help see a chiropractor and if that doesn't help, see an osteopath.

Pelvic partnership website has tips and recommendations.

I've had it to some degree since 10/11 weeks (turning over in bed) and now can barely walk at 29 weeks. I use crutches. You have my sympathies.

Oh and don't keep going through the pain. An exercise ball can be of use too.

Littleleeleanne- I feel for you! I currently co-sleep with my daughter which is making it even more difficult. I hope you find something that helps you soon, and fingers crossed the next 8 weeks go fast for you too! X

Physicskate- oh my word, I am so sorry that you're having that much difficulty! I hope it doesn't worsen for you, and that you're getting lots of rest (if that's possible..).
Are you seeing anyone to help you? If so, do you find that specialist is helping?
I wouldn't know where to go to even find someone, as I can't afford to go private, and the health team locally don't seem to be taking anything I saw onboard!

Go back to the midwife and insist on a referral to a physio. Aches and pains are normal but SPD is a different matter and can and should be treated, the earlier the better. And it's important that it's recorded in your notes and your birth plan as it can impact on labour positions. I have it really bad and can't lie on my back and have a narrow 'pain free gap'.

I would recommend getting a sacroiliac/ pelvic support belt, really helps me and it feels like it holds my pelvis stable. Keep your legs in parallel to each other always, you need to avoid having one leg raised eg putting clothes on sat down, not standing on one leg. Heat pack or ice on your pubic bone or hips depending where you experience the pain. Crutches to take the weight off your pelvis if you can't avoid walking. If you roll over in bed (or do other movements that cause pain or cracking) really engage your pelvic floor first. Strengthen your pelvic floor through Kegels and using a birth ball (google exercises for this) and pelvic tilts.

Most importantly don't be fobbed off by this being just part of pregnancy

I’m 28 weeks and suffering too. GO appointment tomorrow to request a physio appointment. Work have been great at trying to support me but I’m struggling with needing to be on my feet all day (teacher).

Specialist physio will help.

Woodward12- thank you very much for all those tips. I will book in with my midwife again to ensure it's noted, I didn't even think of it as far down the line as labour!
I hope you find some relief for yours. How many weeks are you?

Thank you, I will definitely take them on board and I will look into those now! I did feel like I should just get over it as such which disappointed me! Going to have to invest in a birth ball I think!

Buggeroff- fingers crossed that you get the referral and it helps you out. I feel for you for work, hope your maternity leave rolls around soon!

Honeybee79- yes, hoping to see if my midwife can push it any further!!

Honestly, do - particularly if you have pain relief or an epidural where you can't feel pain, what you don't want is anyone forcing your legs open or encouraging you into positions that would ordinarily be painful as you can do some damage that way!

I'm 37 weeks now so not long to go now, thankfully! It can absolutely be helped with treatment though so be prepared to be pushy/escalate. Good luck!

Woodward12- thank you again. It's nice to get some confirmation from someone who's gone through it recently, and not made to feel like it's just something you have to put up with during pregnancy!

Hopefully not long too go for you then! Wishing you all the best

I had this with second pregnancy. For me physio did nothing.
But I had Osteopathy and that gave an 80% improvement.

Heather1- glad you found something that worked for you! How did you go about getting osteopathy?

I really feel for you. I had SPD with both my pregnancies. In my 2nd pregnancy I couldn't walk from 13 weeks.
There is no one answer. As someone else said, keep your legs together. So for instance when getting in and out of the car, bottom in first and swizzle your legs round. In bed sleep with a cushion between your legs and under your bump. If you can manage to roll over or need to roll over keep your legs together. Don't do things like push shopping trolleys or pushchairs.
A pelvic brace has been mentioned, you can but try.
I had crutches but then ended up in a wheelchair and on morphine. Very long story. If you would like to chat then please pm.
It was horrendously debilitating and I was so low. No one seemed to understand!

Im 34 weeks and ive gpt pgp(or spd) i find the more active I am the easier the pain is. I was off work for a week mid november and because I was sitting around more than usual i found the most mundane tasks that ordinarilly id found a piece of cake so much more difficult because I couldnt stand the pain of ... well standing.
Even getting up off the sofa to go to the loo took me longer because id been 'taking it easy' and my hips kind of locked up.

Ive been to physio, got 2 types of support belts, one i like to call my sausage casing lol, i hate wearing because babies movements reduced for the few hours I was wearing it, and the other is magic and keeps my pelvis firmly in place.

My philosophy is... if I cant handle this pain.. how am I going to push a baby out?
Probably not the best advice, and dont get me wrong the pain is agonising some nights... but ive had toothache worse than this.

P.s has anyone actually tried to roll over in bed, with a pregnancy pillow between your knees and underbump, with a quilt ontop, all the while trying to keep your knees together? Cause I dont know about you but i find it physically impossible and end up getting up and lying back down.

I feel for you - maybe too late for a brace but it might help... ‘silk’ (or at least slippery) pjs did help with turning over in bed though

I had it with my first and was on crutches and unable to climb stairs, wet myself a couple of times as I couldn’t get to the toilet and was in a state.

I can’t help with now but on my due date I went in for a check up and refused to leave, they tried to send me home three times and I wasn’t having it - I got induced, it took another three days but I was not going through the pain for any longer than I had to; so when you do make it to due date, fight for what you need and don’t let them fob you off

I honestly feel your pain. It's horrific. I'm 36 weeks and they suspected spd/pgp at the 20 week mark. Had it confirmed at about 26 weeks. In the end I had to have the 4 weeks signed off from 30 weeks. I tried to go back after 2 and I just couldn't manage it (high risk work environment too) so had to take the other 2 as well. With the Christmas holidays I'm now not going back to work until after maternity.
It is agonising especially at night for me in bed but the pillow advice does ease it ever so slightly.

I found those wheat microwaveable bags help too as bump gets bigger as you can angle them on your pelvis a little more than a hot water bottle. Keeping active but without over exerting yourself is key. Definitely don't do things like hoovering etc. This was crippling to me!

I had to go to my gp for physio referral and found it wasn't overly helpful. Lots of information but not a huge deal more than j could find online myself.

She's well and truly down in my pelvis now, and is back to back so have been told this could make my pain worse until she gets here but they are saying it looks like she may show up early! Thankfully she's rather big already (being monitored for size) so in some ways may be a relief if she does!

Just listen to your body and if you can't manage until 38 weeks then don't push yourself! You need to be in the best possible shape for when you have a new born xx

Happyinheels- oh gosh, poor you having to go through it twice!
I had never even heard of SPD before a couple of weeks ago, I can't believe some people suffer so much yet we are told just to get on with it almost!
Thank you for the advice!

Captainshortie- that's what I am debating now. I can't face going to work but worry if I'm at home, it'll become worse in the long run if I'm sat for a long period of time doing nothing!
If we can get through this pain, childbirth will be easy ha ha!! 

Chelsea- thank you very much for the advise. I know how demoralising it can be!
I will definitely keep that in mind when it comes to it, and ensure I keep pushing for what I think is right! Thank you!

User- I hope you enjoy (as much as you can..) the time off before your LO arrives! Take it easy!
I am worried that they'll just advise me things I can view online, so I don't know whether to keep pushing it..

Had it on my last pregnancy - had the belt and crutches. I'd recommend physio- if there's some exercises you can do then they may be helpful just for you if you know what I mean? I didn't find the exercises great but getting crutches helped take the pressure off my pelvis and I wouldn't have known about being able to get crutches unless I'd gone to the appointments! Sometimes just being able to talk to someone about the pain really helped too. And the good news is that as soon as my son was born the pain disappeared! Take care of yourself x