SPD Sofa - support and advice offered at no extra charge!

[pumpkinpureeandghostlypearls]

I am suffering SPD (for the second time) and just need to vent without driving everyone else on my pregnancy thread mental. Not that they aren't supportive but I still have 20 weeks to go and I don't want to ruin their pregnancies by talking about mine!

Please come and join me so I don't feel so alone, and feel free to share tips if you have any....

feta How exciting, and so glad this will be over for you soon. See my post of 4th Jan for some tips on c-s with SPD. You need to be really assertive, but obviously also very polite to get people on your side. It is up to you to make sure everyone (head midwife, surgeon, anaesthetist, theatre midwives, etc) all know about your condition and what they can / can't do with you (I provided a copy of notes for all).

Don't be afraid of making it clear that you really are a special case which needs a lot of attention. Make sure they know not to move your legs apart during the operation, as you won't be able to feel it. Consider the 'no movement for 48 hours after birth' approach for SPD recovery. I had really good post c-s recovery last time with this, even though they usually want you to try getting up and walking about sooner for a c-s. Take the advice of your own obsteric physio on this one - I was up and walking after 48 hours, and 2 weeks later didn't even need crutches. Make sure they know that initially you will be unable to pick up/put down or change your baby, so will need assistance with this.

Practical suggestions:
-If you have one of those drink bladders with a hose (platypus) take it with you and rig up on the bed head. That way when you need a drink you don't need to ask someone to fill up a tiny plastic cup.
-Take a claw picker-upper thing if you have one, so you can reach for things easily.
-If you have a wheelchair make sure it is really clearly marked as personal property with your name, as apparently it is very common for them to 'disappear' in hospitals.
-Think about how to have everything you need close at hand. e.g. hand wipes, face cleansing wipes, toothbrush (with cup to spit in?), lots of snacks, mobile phone, little mirror, lip balm, etc.
-Make sure your DP/H knows where everything is in the baby's bag as initially he will be fetching and doing as you won't be able to.

I really hope it goes well. In a few days this will be over and you will have a little baby who totally adores you!

Hi everyone. I have been reading this thread with a slightly impending sense of doom as I have been getting sharp achy pains on my left side mostly, in the groin area - noticed it really badly this morning, but on and off all week - especially getting up from crouching. Does this sound like SPD to you guys? I am 26 weeks pregnant.

I already see an osteopath because of a bulging disc and sciatica, seeing them every other week at the moment, and can probably manage every week, as its at a very reduced rate as a teaching case. - Probably will wait and see how I get on over the next week and a half when I see my midwife and Osteopath again, have yoga before then, any idea if this is likely to help?

I really really hope this doesn't turn out to be SPD - I don't think I can cope - have a very busy career and not finishing work until 3 weeks before due date, plus have a house to help finish before the baby comes, and not coping well with the pain in my back as it is!

Apart from keeping my knees together (now if I had done this to begin with maybe I wouldn't be in this position!)any suggestions of things I can do to slow it down if it is SPD?

Morning all fellow SPD sufferers - hope you're feeling better than I am today !

Went to see GP last week and was given little advice other than to rest but not be completely immobile and take codeine to make the pain bearable - especially at night until I can get a physio appointment

I'm currently sat here in tears, as the codeine do take the pain away, but render me a complete cabbage - I couldn't even remember my date of birth the other day . I have had to take the decision that if this is the affect they have on me what are they doing to my baby ??????

Paracetamol help but I still can't find anywhere to sit/lie where I'm pain free

Does anyone have any idea of any alternative method of pain relief that is safe or am I just going to need to learn put up and shut up ?????

Hi there,

I am 19 weeks pregnant and using Solpadol for pain relief. Am worried at effect on baby - is anyone else using/used this? I find it the only thing that helps. Thanks

Hello All..

Holy toast ... I've got two days left till my c-section and have had SPD severly for three months... bt not so bad I reckon for the majority of the pregnancy.

Myself and 7DW have used or in my case am still using a wheelchair. I accessed how much the pain was worth it for what I was about to do. I have a toddler and asically got to the stage where I have not been able to look after her without help...

The only thing I've really done is STOP... I stopped driving... topped pushing a puschair.. stopped lifting,carrying, bending, swopping. and just start resting... lying down...

I throw a couple of jacket potatoes in the oven.. or a few ready meals in and my DH gets them back out again. This post could go on and on...

UTN - I too found Codeine a bit trippy. Id forget conversaions.. be unable to pronounce words and be all over the place..Its crazy stuff. I've ben advised by the DR to cut down on it with the lead up o the c-section.. easier said than done.

7DW - Did you get my email?

Ponymum - Thanks for all te advise.. scared stiff and just feel hat none of the health proffesionals I have sen have given a shit so far s hope I do get some good after care... I've got a pre-op appointment tomorrow. Going to see if I can have an ensuite room.... I live in hope..

Lucyx

ps - BABY0909

What is in Solpadol? I think the only painkillers you are allowed when pregnant are Codeine and Paracetamol... I always swear if I coul av taken soe sronger Ibuprofen it would have really helped... but apparently it can affect the babies breathing..

Speak to you dr or even NHS direct

Hi all and welcome newbies. I defer to Fetaqueen as the doyenne of the thread but her advice is spot on. To slow the process you basically have to SLOW DOWN then stop. Stop working, sleeping, eating (only kidding! Bad day)Oh, and DEFINITELY check with doc about Solpadol.

Feta- bloody hell- 2 days. I'd hate you if it didn't hurt!!

I am now the proud owner (borrower) of a wheelchair. Next door lost their nan last year and offered it to me. How sad that I am getting an old-lady cast off From next week I will have full-time help as my mother is moving locally so that she can do the hours that the nanny doesn't. But on the plus side, I have a scan on Friday and the infamous consultant appointment a week today to discuss an early delivery. Yay!!!!!!

Hi everybody, think I will (sadly) have to join your lovely thread....

For the past week or so I have been getting a pain in my pubic bone every time I take a step, so I am guessing this is SPD?

My 20 week scan is in two weeks so I'm not sure if I should just mention it then, or if it is worth trying to see the Midwife at the local GP surgery in the interests of damage limitation?

I have to admit this thread has freaked me out slightly, I am scared about what is coming now....

Me too Foxy - I have been getting this pain in my groin area for a week or so now, getting more and more worried it is SPD - although I am going to wait until I see my midwife on thursday next week, I wouldn't wait if I were you - plus I guess the scan is something different altogether from seeing the midwife, who is able to refer you? not sure what it is like in your area, but I just saw a sonographer at my 20 week scan.

Best advice I have heard so far is kep your knees together! My midwife said that she could get me a suport band, to hold eveything together, which apparently helps.

Would any of you guys who have been suffering for a while have done anything differently in the early days of getting SPD?

Holytoast- had I had the luxury of a full-time nanny from day 1 then I'd possibly have found it easier but the reality is that it takes forever for your brain to kick in and stop doing things that are second-nature (squatting, going upstairs, etc). I had SPD with my DD so was looking for the symptoms and even though I caught them early, it still took me ages to get used to not doing things.

Foxy- don't wait. Call MW and get all the referrals going. Sorry to see you though. Don't be freaked since thread is more for support than terror. And you will realise that we all have different levels. And those that have had their babies keep coming back to tell us that it's worked out and they feel much better, so that's good news. SPD can be a very lonley thing if you don't have people who know/understand what it is, hence our sofa. Don't be scared, do see mW or GP asap and do come back xx

Hmm, called and Midwife has no appointments for 2 weeks, which is when I have my 20 week scan anyway so I thought I may as well wait, but I don't actually know if I see a Midwife at the scan appointment.

Oh I am SO hormonal today, moody and grumpy and my husband is (rightly) scared of me.

The joys!!

Foxy, I would go and see your GP if the midwife is no help. You don't usually see a MW at 20 week scan and you'd be surprised by how bad a deterioration can (stress can, not will) happen in two weeks. I was diagnosed by GP (emergency appt) first time round.

Hello

FOXY - go see a GP. I had my SPD diagnosed by my GP... I'd complained to my midwife who had thought I was just low..

I'd stopped wanting to do things.. (in my sub concious knew it would hurt) or go places.. or see people ( embrassed I was turning into an old lady).

Get help NOW.

I too have not looked after my daughter alone. I had a rota of day nursery... family and a close friend who have helped with her. My neighbour across the road has even been over to fill in for the odd hour or so when I am alone wth her..... because if you're not careful you end up making dens... putting in washing etc etc.

P&P - Once you get used to the wheelchair you will appreciate it. I foud it very hard at first.. embrassing even.

Foxy and Holy... get some HUGE mothercare pants whilst you are waiting... wear supportive clothing. I've also been wearing a huge supportive Bra..I've got a huge bust and the more supported Ive been the better.

Anyone who wants to contact me.. see baby phots feel free to find me on facebook.
Put my email adress in fetaqueen at msn dot com.

Will check in again tomorrow before my Op.

Thank you Feta - will try all of that advice. Went to yoga tonight, which I had been really looking forward to, but was marred slightly as was worried at some of the poses- tried a couple designed to open the hips, and whilst it didn't hurt at the tme, straight after doing a squat I was very stiff and limping, got pains down one leg. Its only one though, not the other - anyone know if this can be the case with SPD? The yoga teacher told me to take it easy, but also that it could be the baby lying on a nerve or something? Not sure if I should wait to see midwife now - but thanks for the advice anyway guys, will be extra careful not to squat, and climbing stairs etc until I see the midwife. will defo mention it then, and ask for one of those supports - cant hurt I guess, either way.

Aw thanks for the advice everyone. I have been to the GP who examined me (and I almost jumped off the bed, it's so tender!) who told me there's nothing to be done about it,except for limiting movement and taking paracemtamol.

She said if it gets a lot worse I would be able to take cocodamol, and have physio and wear the brace thing?

But she REALLY cheered me up by pointing out how much of my pregnancy is left and if it hurts now....Thanks, I thought!

Foxy- sounds like my GP. So helpful!!

Holytoast- might be sciatica, but I should tell you that my physio and consultants both told me not to do yoga as it actually exacerbates the SPD. Feel like I'm a killjoy but just passing on 'wisdom'!! I was allowed to do Pilates, though eventually just couldn't get to the classes......

Feta- Holy Moly a baby!!!! Can't wait to hear the news. Good luck xxx

Hello fellow-SPDers. A quick update from me that may be helpful to you. I have just seen my GP for my 36 week check and he was horrified at the amount of pain I appear to be in with SPD (said he could see it etched on my face - I thought I was hiding it quite well!). He has promised to ask another GP at the practice who has an acupuncture qualification if that would help, and says that the practice could lend me an acupressure device to do it myself if so. Has anyone any experience of this? I'm currently using a Serola belt during the day, and a Tens machine in the evening to keep things under control, but last night had to walk a couple of hundred yards while out without my belt on and was in agony by the time I got home (I also hadn't been able to use the Tens as I was out).

And better than that, he has insisted I see him (not another GP or MW) in two weeks time so he can start referring me for induction or similar as close to my due date as possible. In his words "I'll trample over whoever needs to be trampled on at the local hospital so you don't have to put up with this to 42 plus weeks" (last time I was induced at 42 weeks). Basically, if nothing has happened by my due date, he wants to start things straight away to avoid me being in pain any longer than possible.

While I know he can't promise anything, it is just so nice that he is on my side and is prepared to fight my battles for me.

Sorry, a very me me me post, but I thought that if my GP was prepared to do this for me, it might empower other SPD sufferers to ask for the same treatment.

Watercress, that's great news!! Having someone on yuor side makes so much difference, doesn't it?

I don't know about acupuncture helping with pain, but I have had it before for other reasons and it has always really worked for me.

Good luck! x

Watercress that is very reassuring - my GP has also been quite helpful but I feel like I'm being a nuisance with my constant questions and requests, and the midwife has an attitude of 'its no big deal you can't walk,go out on your own and have people staring at you' as after all you are pregnant !!!

This is a horrible condition and the more the medical profession are informed and willing to try alternative methods the better !

Hello

I think all us SPD sufferers have such a fight on our hands.. to be listened to.. understod and occasionally be given a bit of sympathy.

So WATERCRESS - you've done well and I'd hang onto that GP.

Holytoast - YOGA? ARE YOU KIDDING?
god I can barely sit on the floor never mind get back up again... Lets hope it isnt SPD you have.. although apparenty Sciatica is also very painful... a nice enjoyable simple pregnancy would be nicer.

FOXY AND OTHERS - keep slowing down. ITS THE HARDEST THING ... BUT DO IT.

P&P -I know a baby.. shes not got alot of water to swim in and I reckon shes been drinking it all in a big effort for me to get my c-section 10 days earlier than my due day.. bless her.

Lucy

I tried to get hold of my MW yesterday as I haven't heard about my Physio appointment. I saw her on the 16/12/09. Speaking to someone on the Community MW switchboard she informed me that my midwife isn't back on duty til Monday. So I explained the situation and I wanted to find out how much longer I would have to wait for my appointment to come through. She checked the system for me and said that no such referral had been made for me!! I put the phone down and cried.

I just couldn't believe that I've been left to just get on with it. It felt like I really don't matter. I'm in agony and nobody cares.

Went to see GP (not my normal one a locum)who asked me what SPD stood for?? Anyway she turned out to be very helpful and I had to fill in a form about the pain, where it is and how much it affects my day to day life. I never had to do that with the MW.

Hopefully I'll get somewhere now!

Mampam thats terrible that you have been left to cope with such pain !!

I would demand an urgent physio referral from your MW and if she still doesn't seem very interested the threat of a trip to the local A & E if the pain becomes unbearable should do the trick !