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....

[CantThinkofFunnyName]

Thanks Pumpkin - its good (in an evil way of course) that others feel it too

[pumpkinpureeandghostlypearls]

That's why I started the thread; it's hard to empathise for an entire pregnancy if you have no idea what SPD is like. I wish the fucking midwives would all know what it was like- they had me "popping up on the couch" today. As if!!!

I have spent £30 on a posh SPd belt from a physio supply place that's far better than my hospital one, which is good, and £30 on a pair of ergo-crutches, which are easier to use around the house than the stick. I always find online shopping soothes any pain

[Horsiemummy]

hi Ladies,

so glad i found this thread! im now 22 weks with second baby and the SPD is pretty tough already i have been worrying about what stage it will get worse.....

never got so far as crutches with first pg but i never had a support belt - i was diagnosed at 30 wks and the MW said that it was too late for physio, the belt would not help and that i should just rest!

this time however SPD was confirmed at 15wks but my MW said she cant refer me to a physio waiting list till 24wks so god knows when i will see one. she said i had to buy my own belt if i wanted one so...

can anyone reccommend a good belt?
glad to find you all here and i dont feel so alone now.

[pumpkinpureeandghostlypearls]

Horsiemummy- so sad to see you. I'm 22 weeks with number two also- it's bloody hard. I got my physio belt here and thinkit's great. Better than the ones from hospital at any rate (though I'd be more than happy to send you those if you want....)

[daffodilli]

Sorry to barge in! Was mentioned to me today that Cranial Osteopathy is good for treating SPD. Am taking my DS, 8 weeks, for his colic and was asked about my pregnancy, had SPD from 20 weeks, and spent my time limping walking around clinging to the furniture, wish I had known about it then! May be worth a try.

[Mama2b5]

Hi all sorry i have not updated you all on my appointment with physio but been so busy and my DH really hogs the pc
I spoke and was assessed and given a full check i was told to do the pelvic exercises and also may sure my chair is fully supporting my back! no luck there at work then!!!!!
i am off this week with the kids and the pain aint so bad right now, i have bought 3 more satin Pjs, finding them handy but i have most pain whist trying to turn in bed! the constant moans wakes my DH up i feel bad but what can i do! was told i have to get a belt from my MW
well what else can i say im coping and my heart really goes out to you all who are in much more pain than me!

i finish work end of nov so am very grateful.

Take care one and all!

[Horsiemummy]

Brilliant! thanks so much Pumkinpuree.

belt looks to be just the thing and luckily it comes with all the instructions, i have ordered one so ill just wait and hope the posties decide to deliver it soon.xx

thanks so much.

[CantThinkofFunnyName]

Mama - my physio told me to put pillows in between knees and also another by the feet so that the body is parallel. Then, when it's time to turn over in bed - they actually don't recommend that BUT to sit up, keeping knees together and swapping your head pillows to the tail of the bed. It is a LOT less painful than a complete turn over, but disturbs your sleep more I guess.

Also Horsiemummy - that is just rubbish that the MW said you can't be referred until 24 weeks. I'd get your GP to refer you to women's health physio at your hospital ASAP. Beg them, cry, do whatever you need to do but if you are suffering now, they can do something now. Kick up a fuss .

[watercress]

May I join this thread?

After a week or so of worsening pelvic pain, I went to my GP today who said I have SPD. I'm 24 weeks pg, and she's not optimistic that I'll be able to see a physio before my due date but has referred me nonetheless. She hasn't given me much advice (and what she did say was confusing: "Rest, but not too much. Don't overdo it, but don't stop doing things"), just told me to look on the internet!

I don't think I have it anywhere nearly as badly as many people on this thread, but I;m definitely uncomfortable walking (particularly uphill and when pushing a supermarket trolley) and picking up DD (3 years) is very difficult.

Can anyone recommend any strengthening exercises that may help prevent it getting much worse?

Sorry to crash this thread.

[pumpkinpureeandghostlypearls]

To be honest Watercress, once you have it, you can't stop it progressing. It's about damage limitation: try not to walk distance (esp. uphill) or pick up DD (yeh-like I can follow my own advice). And push for a referral- you should be able to get one from GP and midwife: as CTOFN said, you should not have to wait that long. 16 weeks is not acceptable.

FWIW my physio said the only exercise you could attempt was to get on all fours and make sure your back and neck were aligned, then slowly raise one leg to be in line and back down again, repeating with the other. I haven't found it helps, other than to relieve backache.

Welcome, by the way (should have said that first!)

Hello to all- having a busy day so will pay for it tomorrow.....sigh How are you all?

[CantThinkofFunnyName]

Hi Pumpkin - busy couple of days here and not quite sure tbh how the whole SPD thing is. Bearable for sure, but does anyone else find its absolutely fine (apart from a few twinges) when they get up in the morning but as the day progresses, so you cease up more?

[pumpkinpureeandghostlypearls]

Definitely CTOFN, although sometimes a bit stiff to get going in the morning now too. I had a Pumpkin Party yesterday for six under-twos and a friend and her husband stayed for dinner. I couldn't walk by the time I went to bed and am on crutches (using them as prescribed by Herbie) this morning. Perfect timing for a visit from the inlaws who, I think, think this 'sort of thing' is all in my head.

[illuminasam]

There are a couple of yoga poses that are really meant to help SPD. Francoise Freidman's book (DK) recommends them.

I've been suffering for about a month, currently 25 weeks. I find if I do a bit of yoga first thing, I have an easier time of it the rest of the day.

[CantThinkofFunnyName]

Pumpkin - get those crutches at the ready to trip up any PIL who dare to mention such a thing!!! Am in a foul mood this morning, so I have to say, in your shoes I wouldn't hesitate!!! Oops, what a bad and hormonally foul person I am. Indeed, my DH is v lucky he hasn't had the crutches walloped around his head today

[Mama2b5]

Hi CTOFN- let me get this right i should sleep upside down when turning over?
thats a strange concept?
went out for a few hours and boy and i in pain it was crazy and its horrible to me its like and after pain! whilst out it hurt but now its just gone in overdrive, cant even lift my legs whilst sitting on edge of bed to put PJs on ahhhhhhhhhh this is nuts!

[sweetkitty]

hi have you got room for one more on the sofa?

I am 13 weeks with no4, had SPD in the last 3 pregnancies and have twinges already, going to be a long pregnancy I think.

Had to think long and hard about having another baby as the pregnancy is so rotten but decided I was not going to allow the sodding SPD to get in the way of having another very wanted baby.

I had a load of physio last time to try and realign my hips but she said the minute she moved them they were so soft they would just move back, apparently there was nothing more she could do and delivery was the only cure.

[CantThinkofFunnyName]

Mama - basically yes, sleep as normal and then when you want to turn over in bed, go to the other end so your feet are by DH/DP's face!

Welcome Sweetkitty - oh dear, you really had a rough time before then? I do hope this one is easier for you - but there's plenty of room on the sofa anyway.

[MrsDmamee]

Hi ALL, had SPD with my 2 previous pg's. Im just 6 weeks pg with my 3rd, no pains as yet but im sure its envitable and like others have said i had to think about whether the pain was worth it to have a 3rd DC
i got so fed up watching other people sail through pg and go away on holidays etc..(wander round the shops)and all i got to do was be in agony after the walk to school with my ds 1st thing in the morning and spend the rest of the day stiff and in pain.
bedtime was always the worst if i moved i was in pain if i sat up too quick id feel that horrible clicking sesation in the front of my pelvis.
i have 2 support belts ready for when i feel the 1st twinge this time

[CantThinkofFunnyName]

Welcome Mrs Dmamee - here's hoping you have a 3rd pg problem free!

[pureeandpearls]

Welcome newcomers. There's always room- it's a mgic sofa (though sadly not magic enough to take away SPD more's the pity!)

[Clydesdaleclopper]

I'm sending lots of sympathy to you ladies. I'm not PG but I'm still suffering with SPD and DS is now 2.

Cranial osteopathy is fantastic and acupuncture can also help with the pain.

Don't bother with the rubbish bump support belts that the NHS physios give you. One of the Serola SI belts that an earlier poster linked to are great.

Avoid anything that puts more force through one side of the pelvis - so going upstairs etc.

Try to ensure that the hospital are prepared. It will not magically disappear after you give birth and my hospital was terrible. I went in in a wheelchair and they expected me to be up on my feet straight after a caesarian . Make sure you have the slippy pyjamas with you and ask for the slider sheets that they use for moving patients to go underneath you in bed so that you can move about.

[Mama2b5]

Hi friends,

Pain free for the day its nite that still brings issues but im dealing with it one day at a time! returning to work tomo so if pain starts then i know its work which is the issue!!!!
leaving soon 4 weeks to go

[pureeandpearls]

That's positive news Mama2b5....and four weeks? Hurrah!!!

I'm potentially days away from giving up work...don't know how I feel about it. I still have 17 weeks to go.

Thanks fo rthe advice Clydesdale.

[Mama2b5]

Hi P&P yes i have 18 working days left!
Im so happy, yeh pain free up till nite time then it starts but way better then all day so im just grateful im not as bad as some off the other mums on here!