Awful pelvic pain - could it be SPD?

[babycakes26]

Hi everyone
I have had awful pelvic pain (low abdominal, groin area and across pubic bone) for the last 2 weeks - it all started after a longish walk with my dog and came on suddenly. After resting up for 24hrs or so it just got worse so I ended up at A&E and they admitted me overnight - all a bit dramatic and not what I wanted but there we go. I was discharged the next day following a scan to check baby was OK and following a day or so of bedrest the pain eased.

I have had a bit of mild pain on and off ever since however after walking down alot of stairs at work on Friday I have since been in agony and I am now struggling to even walk to the loo!! I am seeing my MW on Wednesday however I have since read about pelvic pain and the symptoms of SPD sound very similar to what I am experiencing. Any friendly advice? I am now starting to fret about the thought of the next 6 months laid up or on crutches!!! Is there a better prognosis or does the pain increase as baby grows - I am only 14+4 wks pgnt. Is there anything I can do early on to prevent the pain from getting any worse in teh coming months?

I have spd and did make it to here without crutches.. I am 40 weeks. speak to MW and see what she suggests. i sleep with a pillow between my knees on my side (left mainly as this is a good position for baby)
I take pain killers if it is bad some days. massage helps.
good luck

Thx 7months - I slept a bit better with a pillow betweenlegs last night - someone mentioned to me that I must keep moving around regularly even if in pain - is this good advice based on your experience?

I had SPD, although it was caught quickly and never developed into the awful symptoms that some on here have had. My MW referred me to the physiotherapists at the hospital, who were specialists in treating pregnant women. A group session was enough for me to ease my symptoms, but after that they had individual appointments for women who had more severe problems.
So I would tell the midwife and push to see a physio.

Thx MrsTM - that makes me feel better and a bit more hopeful that things may not necessarily progress to the awful pain I have read about if I get some early help ;-)

Just to warn you - I had to be very careful about my posture and do (gentle) exercises to realign my spine and pelvis - so not a quick fix! But it was well worth it.

I had SPD with DS - get yourself a bump band and a refferal to a physiotherapist.
What cured me (yes I did say cured) was a trip to an osteopath, I crawled in and skipped out (as much as you can when 26 weeks pregnant!)
Didnt have any mpore probs after that.

When you see your mw, demand request a physio referral - most nhs trusts have dedicated obstetric physios now, who are great.

I have suffered with spd in all my pgs ... it's awful, but physio can really help (as can acupuncture for pain relief). Some people also swear by chiropractic - did nothing for me, but I know it's helped others.

See pelvic partnership for exercises and tips to help you cope until you see the physio.

Thanks all - good advice :-)

I had SPD with my first pregnancy and am now starting it again with my second. I am worried as i ended up on crutches and a wheel chair on bad days. I had a toddler now, so i hope i dont get it so bad this time.

However, here are some things I did to help me.

I found standing on one leg incredibly painful. This action involvles all day today activities. eg getting in to a car. I put a plastic bag on the car seat, sat on the seat using an even weight on both legs, I then held my legs together and swivelled on the bag into the correct driving position.

Turning in bed - Agony. Draw both legs up (knees bent and togther), and then turn in bed. It does slightly ease the pain.

Avoid steps, use the lift whenever possible.

During birth, dont use stirrups. Get your partner to find out your maximum distance you can part your legs and measure the distance with string and keep in in your birthing bag. Which i had heeded this advice. I ended up in stirrups and now have osteoitis.

Hope this helps

Agree with everything- get a physio referral asap....they gave me support brace and crutches, advice and so on. MW kept an eye on me, but sadly it's gotten a good deal worse. GP has prescribed pain relief and I have obstetrician appointment next week to talk about an early delivery.

Physio also gave me a note on file about the distance I can open my legs for birth, so that the mw know I cannot use stirrups (very ery very important)

Hope you get this resolved soon- the earlier, the better. You are not alone.

Thx MCNW - I will insist on seeing a Physio when I see my MW tomorrow - thx :-)