Severe SPD - help!

[Mrsspearing]

I’m so sorry that this is a rather long rant but I’m really desperate - I had been in pain for a few weeks, lower back and hips, I put it down to an accident I had last year when I fell off of a swing in the garden. As the pain went on it suddenly hit me that I knew exactly what it was! I bought a pregnancy test and the line came up before I’d even stopped peeing!! The pain was certainly SPD. I had a little boy in June 2019 and had very severe SPD from around 20 weeks, crutches then wheelchair after I suffered a tear in my pubis synthesis at 30+ weeks.

This pregnancy was not planned nor expected and knowing the absolute black hole I fell into in the previous pregnancy we have seriously weighed up our options but have decided to continue the pregnancy as we couldn’t actually face the alternative! Now I have no idea how far along I am (booked a private dating scan for Saturday) we think it could be around 10 weeks but my periods are so irregular. My main issue is that the pain is already unbearable, I’m taking codiene by dinner time everyday and I’m having to pretty much sit/lie down all day (very difficult with 3 other children one of whom is a 21 month old who is extremely clingy and wants carried everywhere) I don’t know what I’m asking for here and I appreciate you reading this. I’m in utter turmoil over what to do and how i am going to cope for the next 7 months! Anyone been in a similar situation?

Sorry for what you're going through! I think you need to tell your midwife straight away and get referred to women's physio. There is a lot of advice online on pgp/spd. Exercises, moving in a certain way, belts can all help but get referred asap

Also I doubt codeine is safe to take right now so please get other help asap

Did you ever wear a pelvic belt? I did and it instantly helped me walk unaided.

Thank you for your reply! I had my first midwife app yesterday and they were all aware from last time (they had to come for home visits and they were all so helpful!) I had physio last time that did not help at all nor did the various support bands. They have referred me to the consultant ASAP to work out a plan but that could still be 4 weeks away. They also ok’d the codiene as it’s only a risk of feral dependency towards the later stages of pregnancy (I am trying my hardest not to take it though as I don’t like taking any medication in pregnancy) the only relief I had was a chiropractor and I’m going to book in with them tomorrow but they need to know how many weeks I am to work out what treatment is safe. I feel like I’m going round in circles 🤯

You have my sincere sympathy.
I did not have SPD in my first 2 pregnancies but 3rd one was an absolute agony from about 24 weeks.It is so painful and debilitating and you feel so helpless.I was induced at 37 weeks for a different reason and really hoped it will be the end of this intense pain.
I fell pregnant again 2,5 years later and was petrified that I will end up on crutches and bed-bound again but it was much milder the second time round.The pain was much more tolerable and it was more of discomfort.I did not need crutches and was able to walk,move,sleep with no major problems.I did however,used the hip belt/binding pretty early on,hot water bottles,heated pads etc plus was more careful about how I position myself in bed,squatting not bending and so on.

I get bad spd too, due to joint hypermobility outside of pregnancy. Sorry to hear you’re going through it OP. If you can take codeine on a less than daily basis, that’s obviously best but I’m sure you know that as you don’t get a prescription without a consultant advising you anyway. You are also right that if stopped several weeks before the birth, it does not really carry a risk of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (withdrawal due to neonatal dependency).

I think you need to prioritise getting some help, whether it’s a family member, a nursery place, a nanny/childminder or a friend, but someone who can take at least the youngest child off your hands for a bit each week. Try to alternate sitting and moving around every 30-60 minutes, even if you use a stick/two sticks, a zimmer or crutches around the house. If you can sleep downstairs, do. Use Heat Wraps (buy online, but remove if you feel you’re overheating which is unsafe for baby) which are non-medicated heat patches worn against the skin and can bring some relief (it still hurts but does help). A tubigrip will help with support even if it doesn’t aid pain, but should be removed for any physio or it prevents muscles ‘working out’ and toning/building. I’m going to guess you’re already using the pregnancy pillow and a mattress topper? I find my mattress topper makes it possible to lie down. Again won’t solve pain but does improve things a bit.

Sometimes using an opiate super regularly can actually make pain increase due to the messages not being received and being sent more strongly. However, only you know if it’s possible to try a short time with less regular use. I know it isn’t in some cases. It’s a hard call and difficult to explain if someone hasn’t experienced it. My pain starts very early too - prior to baby actually putting pressure on the joints, it’s just a reaction to the hormones. I hope you can have the 12 week scan soon and have a plan put in place that’s brings some reassurance.

I suffered really badly in pregnancies 1 and 3. Oddly 2 was not nearly so bad. I was in a wheelchair etc too. It's just the most appalling thing. I went through so many physios. I had one tell me "a little pain in pregnancy was to be expected". 😡

Anyway, the best advice is from these people

pelvicpartnership.org.uk/

Get in touch with them and hopefully you can get some help.