Freaking out about my back.

[pie]

Ok, I've had really bad backache since the 10th week of my pregnancy, I'm now 19 weeks. Intially I was told that this would get better as my retroverted uterus came forward. Then I was told that it was being caused by fluid from a burst ovarian cyst (I was admitted to hospital for this as the pain was so bad), now I've been told its just one of those things.

I CANNOT walk or stand. I can't sit for more than a few minutes at a time. I cannot turn over. My legs are heavy and numb and I spend most of the day crying over the pain. I have had to cancel appointments with Doctors as I can't get to them.
Two weeks ago I saw my GP and she said she would refer me to the Obstetric Physiotherapists at the hospital I'm booked into. I haven't had an appointment through.

Over this weekend it has got worse. My DH has just told me that there are now blue marks all over my lower back, he says he can't tell if their veins or bruises.

I can't afford an osteopath, but I can't seem to get anyone to realise how much pain I'm in.

How do I get my GP to take this seriously? Should I be worried about the marks all over my back?

Please can someone reassure me that if this is all pregnancy related the pain will stop once the baby is born?

I've said it before and I'll say it again..you guys are great!!

Thanks for all the messages.

Angiel and motherinferior - would either of you be able to offer reassurance that does get better after the birth?

I had my 20 week antenatal appointment today and was basically told that it will get worse the bigger the baby gets. I kinda knew that, but no one can offer me any kind of guidance as to what will happen after the birth. I was hoping not to need an epidural this time as I really didn't like the loss of sensation and control I felt when having my DD, but I've resigned myself to the fact that labour pain on top of the pain of SPD will probably push me to the edge.

I talked to the obstetric physiotherapist about Osteopathy, she said she wouldn't recommend it as no treatment at this stage was going to compensate for the soft ligaments. She said I should imagine that my pelvis is a cup, right now that cup is broken into pieces and the glue that is holding that cup together is no where near as strong as superglue so the aim is not to break the cup. So by she said that osteopathy might me just too interventionist right now, but it was my call. Does that make sense to anyone?

On a good note, after the amnio results and the 20 week anomaly scan the baby has the all clear.

On a crap note, my blood pressure is high and I have to get it checked every other day all of next week. I have NEVER NEVER had high blood pressure, infact it has always been seen as too low.

I'm no expert but the only time my blood pressure ever showed up as high was when I was rushing about and feeling stressed. I bet that's what's caused yours and hope it will go back to normal very quickly. Again, so sorry to hear about all your pain.

I'm really sorry to say this, but my SPD didn't clear up properly after my previous pregnancy. I think it did get quite a bit better, but I insisted on some physio because I was thinking about having another baby and that did some good. It's been worse this time round - but nothing, nothing like yours. I am sure it will get better afterwards for me (like you I have rather oversoft ligaments) but I'm not sure how much. But - again, to the degree that I have it - I think pilates etc will help, as it's actually designed to strengthen those core muscles in damaged dancers. I have a nasty belt too (v sexy, not) but have decided against it as it constrains my hugely pregnant tummy without doing much, but again it varies from person to person. I don't get backache (much) but do get agonising pains in my crotch if I don't keep my knees together.

Check out the NCT and related websites, love, at least you'll feel you're not alone. Which you aren't. I actually suspect SPD is a hell of a lot more common than the official figures. My doctor just told me, when I turned up saying firmly I'M IN LOTS OF PAIN I WANT HELP that oh dear, nothing much we can do is there - I only got a physio appointment because the m/w insisted; and I know other women who've been fobbed off in the same way.

I know your domestic situation's not brilliant either, but can you at least get dh to lay in some of the aforementioned choc ice cream?

motherinferior, was the pain after the birth bad enough to stop you putting baby in a sling? I carried DD round in one for months and loved it, and I was planning the same this time.

Oh and if anyone can give me some advice on a, ahem, more personal issue. The leaflets I was given say no squatting, and er the whole on top position is how DH and I usually enjoy marital relations. It doesn't hurt anymore than usual when I'm on top, but could it make it worse??

Bizarre to be thinking of such things at this stage perhaps but you never know

It didn't stop me putting her in a sling but that's because it wasn't back pain.

Can't help on squatting I'm afraid as the whole knees together issue is more problematic for me. but as pregnancy has shut my sex drive down completely I'm not actually too worried, which is very sad...personally I think you're probably in such a bad way that anything that cheers you up can only be a good thing!

Ok, I have more questions, if anyone can help me...

I read the literature the physio gave me and the SPD-UK site recommended on another thread.

The positions for labour suggested sound fine, but I have read, on the stuff the physio gave me, that for up to 48 hours after the birth the mother should be taken to the toilet in a wheel chair and be totally confined to bed.

Anyone had any experience of this? I'm trying to formualte a birth plan and really don't know how pushy I will have to be with a midwife or Dr, or will they know about the implications of SPD. I can't imagine having some nightmare person in a position of authority telling me just to get off my bed. And will this mean that I will probably have to stay in hospital for a couple of days after even if the birth went well, I was hoping to be let home after a few hours.

I'm finding it quite hard to get my brain around this.

Midwives and doctors know the implications od SPD pie, try not too worry. The physio will help you with your birth plan if you are concerned about the knowledge of staff. She will also give you information for positions in labour etc. You will also be seen by the physio post birth, so care will be managed then as well. HTH.

Pie

I had to go to the toilet in a wheelchair after giving birth (24 hours) because of soreness but also fainting. BUT it was absolutely fine and nothing to worry about. I couldn't have walked so it was nice to go in a wheelchair and to have dinner brought to me and to feel cared for on the labour ward! Until I felt better then it was great to go home. The midwives, physio, doctors etc will all be very caring and nice.

You may well be fine but it not - make the most of it!

im havin trouble sleeping at nite because i have b ack ache at the base of my spine
im nearly 15wks nebody got any tips for sleepin comfortably

I used to sleep on my side draped over a pillow. In fact, as I suffer from back pain anyway, I still do this sometimes!

Pie, should I check out those positions too?

Mears, I have to say absolutely nobody's given me advice - midwives or physios - on this!

In fact, thinking about it - and I realise I don't have it that badly compared to you, Pie - all the physio really did for me was tell me not to do as little as possible.

motherinferior, just in case you didn't see the link on another thread (I did a search) this is it

I downloaded the information leaflet that is mentioned near the top of the main page and it has been a useful read. The positions are mentioned in it.

Went for a walk to my mums today, which is only about 30/40 metres away. Usually by the time I get there I have tears streaming just from the effort of trying to stand let alone walk. Tough with tubigrip, belt and crutches and about 20 minutes I managed...hurrah!!! I guess its a good upper body work out isn't it?

This is interesting - I had severe SPD.... and the obstetric physio was not that brilliant (I thought he wasn't making me feel that much better) but the opsteopath (a specialist in pregnancy) was brilliant + he saw me with DH and told him what to do so that I would not have to see him every week! I was a different woman could walk (slowly and with a reasonable amount of pain) after each visit but at 37 weeks, my baby's head engage and I was unable to walk.

I would say osteopathy is well known to be more efficient than physio for this... Honeybunny who doesn't post regularely on Mumsnet anymore is a physio herself, she had SPD and went to an osetopath!
I agree with Mears with water for labour and believe me the pain (during labour) will mask the SPD pain! I was completely unable to walk up the stairs in my pregnancy - yet in labour I walked three flights of stairs because I knew this would help me dilate faster... and it did. Squatting whilst absolutely NOT recommended for SPD was fab in the pool!
I found to be in bad pain for another 2 to 3 weeks after labour and then slowly it went. It is totally gone now.

I had seen the site you found Pie and I didn't like it -... but that's me
Loads of sympathy from me.... I do know how horrid you can feel (I was bed bound for the last 4 weeks of my pregnancy).

Thanks for the pupuce, its good to hear that someone has lived to tell the tale so to speak!

I have been in touch with a few osteopathy clinics, but every time I ask if the practioners are experienced with pregnancy problems I'm usually met with 'our practioners are all round professionals' which doesn't actually inspire that much confidence!! So I'm trying to get a personal recommendation, pupuce was yours in London? That sounds like a good idea with the DH thing as well, as I really couldn't afford to go every week.

Did you find the bandages helped?? I think that they are, though its hard to tell as the pain is so bad anyway, but they are getting unbearable in this heat.

I can ask someone for a ref. on Monday - My osteopath was in Tunbridge Wells and the bulk of his patients are pregnant women or postpartum ones with babies. I will also ring him to ask for a ref. Where in London are you?

I didn't mind the belt myself (didn't have bandages) but what was BEST was the technique of BUM massage the osteopath taught DH... Because what happens is that as your entire area is useless at maintaining itself... parts of your body who are not designed at holding your belly will have to do it. In this case your bum!
The osteopath showed my husband (amongst other things) to find the middle of my bum muscles and to pull the muscle to let the tension go- don't try this from reading the post! But what it did was instantly relax my bum.... which I didn't think was in the equation in the first place... but it was! Did you follow me or am I talking mumbo jumbo?

BTW I was not in as serious situation as you are as I was "only" in tears at 30 odd weeks.... but still....

Hi Pie
If you are in London try the School of Osteopathy in Borough, they are excellent and because you see students (well supervised) it is really reasonably priced. I am sure I saw a notice there about seeing pregnant women.

pupuce, I'm in the Notting Hill/Holland Park area of west london, and would certainly appreciate any recommendation.

Thanks to those who have suggested the Royal college, but I feel that as I am already basically crippled, that this is quite serious, I would prefer to see someone with experience even if it does cost me more. The Physio made it clear that my pelvis was in a very bad state and that falling or anything like that could actually dislocate it or lead to a fracture. I would be much to worried about trusting a student under such circumstances!!! I will be trying to get a referral from my GP though, but the waiting list is horrendous.

how are you doing now, honey?

BTW the other thing I found about the belt was that the velcro ahem stuck to my pubic hair, thus necessitating some rather public adjustment/involuntary waxing while walking along the South Circular!

Thank for asking, I didn't think it could get any worse, but both my hips have started to click and its now even harder to stand....

Still off to see the nurse today on my crutches to have my blood pressure checked. Should be nice and low after I have slipped a couple of times on the wet pavement

The physio I saw told me only to wear the belt over my clothes, thank god I haven't tried under, though it must work out cheaper than paying for a wax.

I've just looked at the scary booklet with positions too, and I'm freaking about it. Mears, pupuce, it seems quite anti-waterbirth - given that I'm not in as bad a way as Pie, can I still go for it?

Bloody pregnancy, bloody childbirth, if you ask me. Now you know why I use this name!

Pie, I have the most wonderful ostepath and believe me I've tried a few. His name is Clive Lathey and his number is 020 8789 3881. He works in Putney and Fulham. Charges £45 per session I think.

He was the one who got Colin Montgomerie fit for the Ryder Cup last year when he nearly had to pull out half way through, downside is I heard that he is going to be away on golf tours a lot so maybe he won't be available. His partner Colin is pretty good too.

If you like I can call him and see if he does SPD cases - he saw me when I was pg so I know he does deal with pg women.

Thanks for the offer SamboM. I have an appointment with my GP soon so I will see if she will get me an emergency appointment with the NHS osteopath. Money is so tight and I would have to get a cab there and back as I don't have a car, so it would come to about £65. Thanks again though, if I get nowhere with the whole GP thing (again!!!) I will get back to you!

I have to say the crutches are not really helping. The physio is going away for 2 weeks on Thursday so told me to get in touch before then if I needed anything, otherwise I will see her afterwards. I don't want to get in touch as I really don't want to be told that I have to go into a wheelchair. Stubborn I know, but I already feel so helpless.

Pie, if it was urgent i could come and get you! I work from home some days so it wouldn't be a prob. Clive does NHS work too. Do let me know if I can help, I think it makes a BIG difference going to a decent osteopath, I have tried many and some of them made no difference to me at all.

Hi Pie

I have spoken to my friend... she recommends a guy who is the principle of the European Osteopathy School - he practices in Clapham... charges £60 but he SPECIALISES in obstetrics and people travel quite a distance to see him. And he treats the stars and all (maybe you can get some gossip.... just kiding)!

Now I KNOW money is tight so I have asked my friend and she reckons you can ring him up and talk to him about your problem... see what he says - maybe he will say osteopathy would or would not help.

If you are interested - e-mail me - because of spam I do not type my address on boards but you can find it on the "contact us" button of my wensite : www.nurturingbirth.co.uk

Motherinferior - I'd say RUBBISH - I had a water birth.... I found the water helped me with the weight.... what would be the argument against water???