Think SPD is starting at 24 weeks, feeling panicked, help

[systemsaddict]

I had SPD towards the very end of last pregnancy and it was very debilitating. I was on maternity leave by then and barely left the house for the last few weeks, shuffling up and down our 3 flights of stairs sideways in pain. Didn't see physio as by the time it got really bad I was overdue anyway and couldn't face any more appointments, but ended up with damaged ligaments after forceps / lithotomy delivery and had some physio post-natally.

I knew I might well get it again this time but didn't expect it yet. Started feeling groin / pubic pain yesterday at 24+1. I'm feeling really panicked - have a 17 month old who is only just walking, and I work 70% and was planning to continue till 38 weeks.

I am seeing midwife on Wednesday and will try and get a physio appointment then but currently feel very emotional - can't focus on work, feeling very scared of what the next 16 - 18 weeks will hold if I can't do anything. It's not too bad at the moment but I know it's only likely to get worse ...

Need some positive stories after reading lots of internet advice which has scared me further - has anyone managed to manage it better second time round?

Thanks Ruby! I'm so glad to hear you say managing it well from the start helps, that's really reassuring.

My LO started walking last week - so I'm hoping that should help - and because I thought this was coming I have encouraged him to climb up and down stairs etc himself. I have also been much more careful than last time throughout. Last time I was very 'I am not ill I'm pregnant so I will carry on as normal', and I don't think that helped. This time I knew this was coming at some point so I've worn trainers from day 1, and been sleeping with V pillow for weeks. Knees firmly together at all times since first twinge and got the lift up to my office today rather than taking the stairs. Fingers crossed this will all help ...

It's really good to hear from other people who have managed this, helps me to stay calm!

I second what Ruby just said.

Go and see an osteopath or a chiropractor because that's the only thing that really helps.

When you deliver put it in your notes that you MUST NOT be put in the lithotomy postion that makes the conditon worse and can lead to a seperation of the ligament and then you are screwed. Should you need forceps again I would request a c/s instead.

Also, I know with a toddler that's impossible, but rest as much as you can. Don't move unless you have to. If you can take long term sick leave at work do it. SPD is a debilitating condition and the pain is horrendous. I can understand that you are panicking. I had SPD with my first and it has put me off having anymore children. I still envy people who have 'easy' pregnancies.

also put a plastic bag in your car so you can slide in and out of the car easier, and buy some silk pj's that make turning in bed easier.

I also wore a babybelt, which gives a little support the physio's belt was too tight for me.

If there is a group sign up for Antenatal pilates, that's meant to help.

Good Luck and you have my full sympathy !

no positivity, sorry, just much sympathy.

i'm 22 weeks and have also have a 17 month old and i have mild SPD at the moment. I'm just dreading it getting worse, it was quite bad last time. I too feel pretty emotional about it.

I don't see how lifting can really be avoided with a 17 month old - I lift dd into her cot, car seat, highchair etc etc

Good luck!

I agree that mine was far less severe the 2nd time around although it started much early - 16 weeks because I didn't aggrevate it, got straight down the osteopath and stopped lifting/carrying anyone.

If you can avoid lifting it will help.

let's all think of practical ways this can be achieved.

ok, how about buying a small table and chair for your wee one and let her eat there? (no more lifting into highchair)

can you take the sides off your cot? take them off, let wee one crawl in, and then put them on.

re carseat, if wee one can't climb in her/himself beg borrow and steal help. Ask a passerby to lift them in saying you have a backproblem.

Seriously, the less you do the less bad it will get.

Don't even think about housework.

Ooh Rochwen you are cheering me up! Silk pyjamas and no housework - I shall feel like a queen

Hadn't thought of alternatives to high chair. I'm sure ds would love eating at a small table, that's good. Can't climb in and out of car seat yet but I can encourage him to try, and can often get help on that for now. Dp can lift him into and out of cot (and ooooh, that means he gets night and early morning duty, definitely another bright side to this !)

I used to do a lot of Pilates and have a Pilates in Pregnancy DVD that I haven't used yet, will dig it out tonight. A friend lent me a pregnancy yoga book today to look at - looks lovely but nearly ALL the stances involve widely spread legs - so I'm going to have to avoid that one.

The midwives were really good about avoiding bad positions during labour last time until the heartbeat started dropping and the registrar got involved, then it was straight into the stirrups and out with the forceps ... I was glad to avoid a c-section after 30 hours of labour but really, with ligament damage to my hips, my recovery time after that was pretty similar to what I would have had with a section, if not longer. Need to think carefully about options this time I think, at least I'm better informed now.

Tassissss, nice to feel I'm not alone!

And thanks Califrau too. I do have an office type job and they are very good about support - will look into getting parking sorted too, there are disabled spaces near my office, that will help. Now just need to name my body pillow ... I lent it to a friend after I had ds1 and was SO pleased to see it again when she brought it back at New Year!

Now I'm gonna ask THE question. Do your SPD ever go away completely after the birth. My dd is 2 and a half now and I still get sore occasionally which has stopped me from doing sports. Will it ever go away or will I be stuck with it for teh rest of my life?

'did' not do obviously

My are due to hypermobility as well. I cope well unless I do sports or overdo it with the hill walking but I really want to go back to doing sports. I've done competitive sports all my life and really don't know what to do with myself without it.

Ruby, how long ago did you have your baby? Do you do any sports?

Mine started at 8 weeks this time but I've managed to avoid the wheelchair so far (last time I was completely unable to walk by this point.) I am taking arnica and not doing very much. I'm still breastfeeding too.

I think you do learn to adapt. I've started wearing a leather belt round my hips (low slung hipster stylee) which stops me opening my legs too much. I look like an eejit but I'm out of pain!

I've got SPD for the second time (third pg)

I'm learning to stop when the worst of the pain hits, whereas last time I just kept on going.

My mum's an OT and has just got me one of those grabber stick things so I don't ahve to bend down to pick things up.

Mine lasted for about 18 months after birth, but that's because I gave birth in lithotomy position. Had no choice though because I needed constant fetal monitoring (had a vBAC)and the hospital wouldn't let me off my back off the bed in case I dislodged the monitor

Will have to go through the same again - they won't even let me on all fours...grrrrrr.

Oh do tell me Califrau, then at least I have hope !

...and surely it got better bit by bit?

Can you do you any sports?

For those of you who got it in subsequent pregnancies, was it worse than the first time around? Is there anybody out there who had it one pregnancy and not in the following one?

Systemaddict, sorry for hijacking your thread.

Rochwen - mine is waaaaay better second time round.

I couldn't mange stairs by 22/23 weeks last time. This time at 30 weeks I'm slow and limpy and sore, but not housebound - so massive improvement I think.

Rochwen, I had severe SPD in first pregnancy, got to the stage I couldn't even walk never mind stairs.

2nd pg not as bad but recognised the symptoms and got physio etc right away.

3rd pg - not a jot!!!

I didn't have it with my 1st pregnancy, Got it with my 2nd pregnancy at 16 weeks. Extremely painful until afew weeks before I had a CS. Completely fine after having DS. He is now 19 months and pregnant with my third, 27 weeks and can start feeling the twinges, but no where as bad as last time.
So fingers crossed it doesn't get to bad.

This is my 3rd pregnancy. Never had SPD until this time around. My uttermost sympathy to all those who co-suffer. I've been off work for 4 weeks now and have a line for another 3. GP wants me to stop work all together but I can't afford to at the minute. I'm 27 weeks. Its agony isnt it? I don't think people understand and its so hard to describe the pain to them. I am now on crutches and pretty much housebound. The physio and GP both told me that it was rare for me to have it so bad first time round and also so bad so early - I can't walk, until crutches I crawled about the house. I'm really worried about the labour, both previous pregnancies were normal deliveries - will I have to have a section this time?