How is SPD treated? i.e What do you do in Physio etc?

[LadyOfWaffle]

Finally finally finally have been told I have SPD (which I pretty much knew) as my usual MW was away and I had a more on the ball one this time who didn't just grin when I explained the pain . BUT, I am 39 + 3 now and she says I may not get Physio in time but is trying to rush me through as she says it sounds quite severe (it is). What sort of thing do you do in Physio for it? What do they advise? My main worry was somehow making it worse by doing something I am not supposed to, or breaking my pelvis (it really feels like I could!)... or is it just pain? I know about keeping legs together etc., mainly because they won't spread out anyway! Can I use a birthing ball still? What positions in labour do I avoid? Do I avoid them to avoid pain, or injury? Is the no lifting to avoid pain or injury also? Thanks

Oh heck, I had the same, 2.5 yrs ago so dont remember to much but what I do is this, no walking that was the very first thing my physio said to me on the phone, scared the hell out of me! At night support your leg, ie on side put a pillow under the leg above to keep pelvis straight.

As for birth, you need to keep as active as possible, move around, yes to birthing ball because it will relieve the pressure, try to birth with gravity on your side, not on your back.Exercise is difficult to explain, its about strengthening your core muscles, pilates is essential afterwards, was highly recommended.

If I was you I would ring the ante natal ward, this is where your physio will be, you may be able to have a quick word. Explain your situation, if not try and see a physio privately, cost about £40 but may be worth it for birthing advice.

Sorry bit vague been a while, sleepless nights etc you know how it is. The best of luck

our physios gave me crutches and discharged me!

Went to an osteopath and they really helped, worth every penny.

Physio was more helpful to me after the birth for other reasons - the only thing I was advised to do in labour was to try and keep my legs together! Seriously, I had it marked on my notes that the mw was not to put my feet on her hip and get me to push against her (ie bending my legs back). At the time, I thought this sounded bizarre - but guess what the mw did in the final stages of pushing?!

The good news is the SPD disappeared without trace after the birth anyway.

If you search the archives here on MN you will find excellent links wrt SPD. Some of the threads are from the early MN days.

I had SPD with DS1 - I wore a belt to keep my pelvis togther and each week I saw a physio (BUPA not NHS - who said they could do nothing) who manipulated my pelvis back into alignment as it kept going wonky. By the end that was only giving me relief for a few hours - but it was worth it.

Like greenlawn, mine disappeared the minute DS was born.

I'm now PG with DC2 and at only 13 weeks I can already feel the start of it coming back, so i think it will be worse this time as it's started so much earlier.

At 39+3 I think it might be too late for physio to manipulate your pelvis but could always ring up and ask.

Had SPD in my last PG from about 28 weeks. Was shuffling round in slip on Clarks trainers taking tiny steps and in lots of pain. NHS physio, although sympathetic, offered nothing more than an inevitable worsening. Like others have said though, it disappeared immediately after birth (despite being hoiked into stirrups).

This pregnancy it started up earlier (around 20 weeks), realised I couldn't cope with another 20 weeks of pain and hobbling I went to private physio (found though MN) she manipulated my pelvis (literally pulled my leg while I coughed, didn't hurt a bit) and I am miraculously fixed. Can't believe how much it's helped (I've been posting on every SPD thread since I had it done!).

For the moment, try to rest and be reassured that it will disappear very soon. Check out this link if you get a chance. www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk/

Thanks alot, glad to hear it usually goes I stopped my Bupa last year because I wasn't using it - typical! Have it noted on my notes now for in labour (if they read them that is ) so fingers crossed it's only just getting through a week or so more of pain.