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

Original poster

Quick poll - best SPD treatment?

26 replies

muddler · 06/03/2010 08:29

Second pg and second SPD experience for me - only 19 wks and already pretty grim. I had been having osteo between pregnancies which worked brilliantly but is not even touching the SPD pain. So I am feeling pretty desperate, 21 wks to go with a toddler, I need to get some sort of treatment to manage this.
Any ideas/miracles to share?
Oh and am in N/E London so any recommendations for practitioners around here welcomed too!

OP posts:
EldonAve · 06/03/2010 09:09

have you tried asking for a physio referral?

are you wearing a support belt?

SayHitIsntSo · 06/03/2010 09:14

Best SPD treatment- give birth

seriously, there's not much to do other than rest, take slow walks, find positions that are comfortable...sorry have had that and it was excruciating.

mampam · 06/03/2010 11:44

I've been in agony since 16 weeks, am now 28 weeks. I've been having acupuncture from the Physio and it has really helped.

Ok, I'm still walking with crutches and my lifestyle is seriously reduced but 9 times out of 10 I can now walk up the stairs on my own without being in excruciating agony and whilst it still hurts to turn over in bed I'm not in floods of tears when I do because of the pain.

It hasn't made huge dramatic differences but subtle ones that make life just a little bit easier.

Original poster
muddler · 06/03/2010 12:58

Oh god, it is so depressing isn't it... just grin and bear it I guess. I have asked for a referral at UCH but it could take weeks, I really should have insisted at my first appointment for a referral just in case this happened.
Good tip about acupuncture, might give that a go.
So sorry about your crutches mampam, must be difficult x

OP posts:
cassell · 06/03/2010 13:07

I found physio helped me but had to go private as an "emergency" NHS referral made when I was 20wks only came through the week I gave birth at 38wks...

Also I'd been doing antenatal pilates and my pilates teacher was able to help me with exercises etc.

best of luck

LooL00 · 06/03/2010 13:45

muddler
have you read the SPD sofa thread? It'll take you a while to read but has lots of SPD suggestions. If you can't find it I'll bump it for you. I'm finding sitting on the gym ball quite helpful at the moment. And basically doing as little as possible.

ilovegreenbeans · 06/03/2010 17:05

the womens health physios at the Royal London are fab. It's probably not your area, but you never know!

Lots of pelvic floors- really helped me.

You'll probably find more tips in the archives about pillows in bed and keeping knees together, etc...

Ponymum · 06/03/2010 17:24

Best treatment, seriously? DO NOTHING. If this means getting extra childcare, cleaner, etc, you might just have to face this. I'm on my second SPD pregnancy and have simply had to accept that I am an "invalid" until this baby is born.

Last pg I was in indescribable agony, in a wheelchair, could not use legs at all, had to have elective c-section, etc. This pg, from day one the physio said act as if it's the worst is was last time, and that's the level of activity you are allowed. It is boring, frustrating, expensive to hire help, and horrible to miss out on playing with my DD, but it's only another few months and then the long term prognosis is much better.

So far (26 weeks) I can still walk a little way with crutches, still drive, and still look after myself. It is a huge improvement on last time and I am doing all I can to hold on to this. But that means RESTING 95% of the time!

KateReflexologist · 01/09/2012 19:21

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sparklekitty · 01/09/2012 19:50

I found physio and antenatal yoga great. I was almost signed off work at 24 weeks, I'm now 37 and have no pain apart from in the very early morning in my hips. Its like magic (except I've had to put in some hard work!)

blooblies · 01/09/2012 23:12

Some small things can add up to make small improvements. My SPD was nasty with pg 1 but now on pg 3 I've managed to stabilise things a bit. Things that definitely make a difference for me are:
a memory foam mattress topper
arch supports in all shoes
now innate sensibilities about moving e.g. always get out of a chair squarely, never heading in a diagonal direction
keeping awareness and tone in your glutes & pelvic floor & posture when walking
not doing very much at all
definitely avoiding closing the garage door and lifting my super heavyweight dd

I've had sacroiliac pain and a sheared pelvis in between pgs and found a practitioner who specialises in manipulation, massage and biomechanics who aligned me and identified that my psoas muscles were very tight and uneven. When I do psoas stretches it seems to help on days when I feel it popping out of place again. Apparently if tight and bulky, they can also impede the birth canal - makes sense to me after my previous births.

osterleymama · 02/09/2012 11:17

If your pain is right in the pubic bone ice it when you feel the ache after walking or activity. It helps to reduce the inflammation. Soak a sanitary towel in water, put in the the freezer and then put it between your legs until it melts again. Really helps.

GlaikitFizzog · 02/09/2012 11:25

I had reflexology from30 weeks and it really helped me. I had a mobile lady come to me and she was lovely, gave me a discount so I could keep having treatment.

I also had dyhrdrocodiene which was good for really bad days, but I didn't really like taking it.

DowntonOut · 02/09/2012 19:45

I know this is an old thread, but I'm finding what Ponymum said to be true. I've still got a long way to go in this pregnancy, but I'm on crutches and in weekly physio. Had a few days off work this week, and have found the only way to really reduce the pain is to do as little as possible. And that's despite taking codeine and paracetamol.

preggersshock · 02/09/2012 20:15

Osteopath, I'm going weekly and whilst after first treatment was horribly sore and bruised I felt much lighter and balanced, got some great advise on how to use my ball to take pressure off pelvis and am getting some relief from the pain of SPD Smile

thehairybabysmum · 02/09/2012 20:30

Acupuncture really worked for me....I was surprised as am a skeptic but that and lots of rest really helped.

tasmaniandevilchaser · 02/09/2012 21:00

another vote for acupuncture

piggyboo · 02/09/2012 22:37

rest as much as possible, cocodamol before bed, also a support belt when out and about or doing housework. as the others said i think the only real help will be giving birth :(

thehairybabysmum · 07/09/2012 21:25

Yes to giving birth as a relief.... I had an emergency c section and was a doddle in comparison (both times)!

seabuckthorn · 07/09/2012 21:49

Agree OP osteo really helped between pregnancies.
I'm currently having reflexology as a belt and crutches wasn't suitable for my specific damage is.

seabuckthorn · 07/09/2012 21:50

Also doing as little as possible which I personally find half the battle!

PragmaticWench · 07/09/2012 22:30

I'm seeing an osteopath for other back problems, and he warned me about pelvic support belts when we discussing SPD. Apparently they do relieve some of the pain (and physios seem to love them) but they cause loads more damage long term. Most scarily, to your pelvic floor.

Obviously this is only what I've heard, you might do best asking your doctor for an urgent referral to your local hospital.

terilou87 · 08/09/2012 21:54

i know exactly what you mean, i have tried everything and nothing works. even took maternity leave early as i could as i cant sit on a chair for more than 30 mins without being in absolute agony, also got 3 kids at home so dont get 5 mins in the day, iv got support belts too and they dont help all that much, and omg sleeping on a night is the worst im avoiding doing as much as possible cant wait to give birth just so the pain goes away. roll on november!!

Badgerina · 09/09/2012 07:28

I've had physio, hydrotherapy and osteopathy. I was signed off work for 4 weeks too. The best thing for me has been rest.

My pain has been sacroiliac and right hip for the most part, but now baby is engaging, I'm getting some pain at the front Sad a support pillow at night helps, as does NOT sitting on a hard surface which seems to make it 100% worse.

So glad I'm planning a water birth again. Will make it easier to stay upright and active.

Be careful of swimming. Can often aggravate it.

philbee · 09/09/2012 12:33

I had SPD with DD and it was painful but not unmanageable. Physio helped, and I was also doing antenatal yoga which I think helped, although the teacher had to give me lots of modifications.

I am fairly active when not pg and find that if I can't exercise I quickly get very stressed and grumpy. With DD I kept on walking (slowly, with small steps!) and swimming until the end, but only did crawl and backstroke as breaststroke is a big no no.

I'm 9 wks now and reluctant to get into loads before the scan as had mmc last time and cancelling appointments was very hard. But I have a physio referral, and plan to go to an osteopath and antenatal pilates (no yoga nearby this time but I do it at home), and walk and swim as much as I can. I'm also trying to follow all the advice about not hoovering and getting in and out of bed etc. I guess I'll see how it goes this time and modify the plan if necessary!