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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

SPD and idiot doctors

11 replies

Hawkmoth · 24/02/2009 16:29

15 weeks pregnant, got SPD. Mostly in back, but feeling it more and more at the front.

Was waiting for physio referral but just rang the clinic and the bloody doctor hasn't referred me. The receptionist is doing it today, 'two weeks at the most'. I'm kicking myself for not ringing sooner, he seemed clueless as he scribbled two sentences on a scrap of paper.

As my mind is reasonably active, and I don't feel that ill, I feel guilty about not working. The flipside is I'm in a lot of pain sitting on anything other than a couch, pain gets worse through the day, it hurts too much to drive and it's actually painful to BE in a car.

Am I daft to think that physio will help that much?

Should I try working from home?

Should I give up the ghost and just keep my flipping feet up?

It's that conundrum. Do I carry on as normal as possible knowing I will crash and burn sooner, but by then it'll be bleeding obvioous that I can't do anything... OR do I try to preserve my pelvis for as long as possible and push the thoughts of being a lazy get/ bad mother to the back of my mind?

OP posts:
nicsnigsnags · 24/02/2009 17:11

Hi Hawkmonth

sorry you're having to wait so long for physio, i have suffered from it sice about 22 weeks and have been signed off work since, now 30 weeks. Physio gave me a belt which helps a bit and some tips on moving but not much else to be honest. I also have problems in a car and my drive to work is quite long, was limping about at work over xmas and new year before i finally went to gp. if working from home is an option for you then you could try, i wasn't able to due to me job (psychiatric nurse) and have stayed off with the long shifts i have to do. I would say put your feet up whenever you can and keep fingers crossed it doesn't get worse for you, try working from home to keep your brain ticking over even for a wee while and hopefully you may get help from physio that will ease things, good luck and keep well

herbietea · 24/02/2009 17:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

MustHaveaVeryShortMemory · 24/02/2009 20:00

Are you sure it is SPD you are suffering from and not some other kind of back pain? Getting in/out of a car is notorious for aggravating SPD but 'just being' in a car sounds more like back pain. There is a page on the website herbietea mentioned www.downloads.pelvic-partnership.org.uk/tel_numbers.pdf of practitioners people have recommended. Physio can help but not all are experienced in SPD. Lots of people on this site have reported help from osteopaths and chiropractors.

Original poster
Hawkmoth · 24/02/2009 20:55

I had SPD last time, it didn't get better for a long time after the birth, and affected my back as well. Now it's all round the pelvic girdle - joy!

Sitting on anything that's not soft and at the right height, such as in a car, feels like I'm sat on a brick!

The physio I saw last time was fantastic, just cross at this delay.

I said to the doctor, "Please refer me to physio, I had it last time and it really helped". He wrote, "Had physio and it helps."

Thanks Herbietea, sometimes it does just need spelling out. My mother's going to buy me a support belt, and I have already rekindled my love affair with my bolster!

It's the mental side that's getting me down. I feel like I'm on a countdown to agony if I do anything, but doing nothing makes me feel useless.

OP posts:
Beccabump · 24/02/2009 22:42

I told my doctor to give me a referral on midwife's orders and he actually asked me what SPD is

You are not alone xxx

ange8179 · 25/02/2009 10:42

Hi all,

I have SPD and my physio has told me the following, which has helped:-

  1. Travelling in a car is one of the worst position for it, as all the weight is on your pelvis. To manage it, sit on pillows so your hips are higher than your knees and put a rolled up towel in the small of your back.

  2. Take tiny steps when walking so you walk like a Geisha.

  3. Go up and downstairs sideways so that you are not straining your pelvis too much.

  4. Try and sit on a birth ball for some of the time.

  5. Use an office type chair at the dining table then your not struggling pushing a chair in and out.

  6. Don't lift anything you don't have to

  7. Think about getting one of those pillows that goes at either side of you then your back and bump are supported when your in bed.

  8. Try and keep mobilising or you can seize up more (not sure if that's the sadist in her)

Can't think of any more off the top of my head but hope these help.

Lotster · 25/02/2009 12:39

Hello,

am on my second pregnancy, currently 38.5 weeks and sooooo much better this time.

I second everything Herbie says above, but would like to add PLEASE see an osteopath too, they will give you manual relief (for want of a better phrase!!) and relief you won't get from an NHS physio (private physio, maybe, but Osteo still better IMHO).
You may also find the cause of the problem, i.e. if there's an underlying alignment problem adding to the already aggravating hormonal factors with SPD. It's not cheap, but personally I find being able to walk this time absolutely priceless. The key is to do it fast, before you go past the point of being able to do much about it.

Pelvic Partnership are a great support, they also have a leaflet for friends and family who may not "get" what is happening to you and not be providing support.

I'd take the NHS referal too when it comes, all help is good - they gave me some useful strengthening excercises which have helped too.

Best of luck.

Lotster · 25/02/2009 12:39

Hello,

am on my second pregnancy, currently 38.5 weeks and sooooo much better this time.

I second everything Herbie says above, but would like to add PLEASE see an osteopath too, they will give you manual relief (for want of a better phrase!!) and relief you won't get from an NHS physio (private physio, maybe, but Osteo still better IMHO).
You may also find the cause of the problem, i.e. if there's an underlying alignment problem adding to the already aggravating hormonal factors with SPD. It's not cheap, but personally I find being able to walk this time absolutely priceless. The key is to do it fast, before you go past the point of being able to do much about it.

Pelvic Partnership are a great support, they also have a leaflet for friends and family who may not "get" what is happening to you and not be providing support.

I'd take the NHS referal too when it comes, all help is good - they gave me some useful strengthening excercises which have helped too.

Best of luck.

Original poster
Hawkmoth · 25/02/2009 14:33

Thanks ladies. If I weren't living on £20 a week I would go to see an osteopath!

My physio did do pelvic realignment with me last time, just hope it's the same one. Although, the few hours afterwards were perfect hell!

Luckily DP is very understanding as he threw his back out once and it's haunted him ever since!

OP posts:
bythesea21 · 14/03/2009 21:28

Hi Lotster,
where is your osteopath - sounds as if they have been a great help.
Good luck with the last few weeks of your pregnancy
I've also found this website helpful www.pelvicinstability.org.uk

Lotster · 04/05/2009 00:03

Soz, only just seen your question, he is in South West London (if you are still watching this thread!). Off to check out that link, as the new arrival piling on the weight is giving me twinges...!

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