All new singing & dancing, extra comfy, SPD sofa

[xMrsSx]

Some useful links for all you ladies suffering from SPD/PGP or who think they might be...
www.acpwh.org.uk/docs/ACPWH-PGP_HP.pdf
and the pelvic partnership website is really useful.

If you think you might be suffering then get yourself down to the midwife for a physio referral and hopefully they can help: maternity belt/exercises/acupuncture etc etc.

If you are really struggling then... REST... it is the only thing that REALLY works.

And most important of all plonk (very gently) yourself down on this sofa, help yourself to cake, and get some advice/support from some very loverly ladeez! xxx

Hi Backagain, if it's in your hips it could possibly be SPD, but as always it's best to ask for a referal to a physio. Does it feel like you've been kicked inbetween the legs at all?

How did you get on at the midwifes?

Hello ladies

Like backagain I am looking for a bit of advice from you peeps that are unfortunately in the know. I am nearly 24w and since Friday have had a pain low down which I can only described as though I have been kicked in the wotsits! My natural instinct to get rid of the pain feels that I want to stretch my inner thighs but the actual core of the pain is above that.

Funnily enough I saw a physio last week for neck & back pain but this before this new pain came on. She actually asked me if I was having any pelvic pain - maybe I said no too smugly. This was a 1 off treatment with a private physio & if i have to have a lot of treatment not really sure I can fork out for it long term.

Just wondered what you all think, does it sound like pelvis problems? i have read through some of the info & note that it recommends you see the Doc sooner rather than later - not really sure i knew where my pelvis actually was until now .

Thank you

Thanks - saw midwife and they suspect SPD so have been referred to physio. It has actually been not too bad since thursday when it did feel like I had been kicked in the wotsits. Hips still ache a bit at night but sleeping with a pillow between knees seems to be helping and I have been avoiding too much walking and lifting. So hopefully I have caught this early and it shouldn't worsen too much - fingers crossed! Hope everyone else is feeling OK and getting lots of rest

lizard sounds like what I had, either go see your midwife or Doctor and ask for a referal. Or just go back to your own physio and see what she has to say. In the meanwhile try and rest as much as you can, keep your legs together and put a pillow inbetween your legs at night in bed. My physio told me to act as if I was wearing a very short mini skirt with no knickers on. Bizarely it kind of works.

Thanks Hermya321 - have taken in MUCH easier today than I have other days and already feel a bit less sore. We are in the process of having a new bathroom put in as well as doing up the baby's room - but have been popping over to my mums for a bath now and again and that feels comfortable. Love the short skirt no knickers vision - particularly with my massive bump

Hi everyone!

Whew it's been agesssss since I've been on so I've just caught up with all the news!

Massive congrats to you LooL00! Yay, we can start with normal movements now!

Well my DS1 finally made an appearance on 04/07/2010, 2 weeks 2 days overdue. I went in to be induced on Wednes 30th June and due to a lot of emergency surgery I didn't actually see a doctor to be induced until the Saturday (nightmare).

He was 7lb13oz and is lovely and healthy! Everything has been great, I've just not been organised enough to get online and fill you all in!

The SPD wasn't too much of an issue during my labour. I had wanted a water birth because I heard it would be good for SPD. But as I had to be put on a drip to be induced it wasn't possible. I was lying on my back (which I thought would be awful for my hips and pelvis, but my contractions started to quickly and close together that I hardly noticed). Made it 4 hours just on the gas and air but by the time I was fully dilated I needed an epidural to relax me enough to push! Pushed for 40 minutes and the little guy arrived.

My SPD hasn't disappeared but it is a million times better. I can walk and move around and I don't end up in tears. The biggest issue is my hips when in bed but even that is improving! Feel fab - being a mum is so much better than being pregnant! Being pregnant was such hard work with the SPD. I really feel for all you ladies who still have a way to go! Keep your heads up and remember it doesn't last forever!

Hi,
Have just found this thread & not read through all of it yet, but I will.

I'm 22 weeks pg and Dr diagnosed me quite early on with SPD, I went in asking about the pain which lizardqueenie described at 13 weeks. He poked about on my back too, and concluded that yes I have SPD. He gave me some painkillers and said if it got worse he could sign me off.

The problem I have now is that it is worse, but I am worried it will get even more worse. And if I get signed off now I may need to be signed off later on too if this is only the beginning and its only going to get more painful.

As it is I can only walk slowly and it feels like I've been stabbed in the pubic area. I am terrified it can get worse than this.

I know everyone is different...but do you think it is possible that it could get worse?

Am seeing my GP again on Thursday morning and going to try and get a physio referral. Heaven knows what that can do for me seeing as though I can hardly walk let alone do exercises!

Hi
I'm new here too, I'm 33+2 wks and have been signed off work for the last 7 weeks. Pretty much housebound as I had to stop driving 4 weeks ago about the same time I got crutches. Some days are slightly better than others depending on how much rest I've had and how much I've been moving in the night!! But I am very very very bored and incredibly frustrated that I cannot fufill the nesting instinct.

Lizzzombie unless you rest it might not get better, and be prepared that it can get worse. It took me ages to mentally accept that, and I pushed myself too much, therefore not helping the situation! Although I have a very severe case and it isn't helped that physio couldn't give me exercises as I have a back problem too. Physio might give you a belt, I found it quite good but baby doesn't like it much!

Anyway rambled for too long...sorry don't get out much!

mrsCJOLG You poor thing. Is this your first pregnancy? (Or have you had SPD before this in other pregnancies?) It must be awful not being able to drive.
I hope you have some good friends/family who are helping you out. At least the end is in sight now, fingers crossed baby is not over due.

I hate the fact I am unable to be as active as I was and have no idea how I'll deal with a bananas 3.5 year old if this pain disables me more.

Plus, I don't see how a support belt can help with my pain. Its literally in my groin/pubic bone area.

I so know I am going to burst into tears at the Doctors tomorrow!

Lizzzombie this is my first pregnancy- really not what I was expecting!! I don't know how I'd cope if I had a LO, prob ask for more help than I have done! I'm so used to being stubborn independant that asking for help doesn't come naturally.

Thankfully hubby is a teacher so as from tomorrow will be at home to help out more, although he's been brilliant already. We only got married 8 weeks ago, so not the greatest start to married life.

The belts hold everything in place and relieve the pressure a bit. Some people find them great, some more uncomfortable than helpful. I think it depends how well aligned you are before you put it on.

Don't worry about crying, let them know you are in pain. My GP and Midwives have been great, but I know that other people have not always had a good response. So be honest and demanding! If you get a physio refferal, find out the number of the physio and chase it up- I had to wait 5 weeks for my 1st appt because it hadn't been passed on as urgent!

Hi everyone!
baby looloo is now 3 weeks old and doing well. I'm sooo glad to be off the spd sofa.Feeling really sorry for you ladies and a bit shellshocked looking back on how bad things got for me. And pretty stunned that it has actually got better.

Brilliant news leoni fab to have a lovely little boy even if he was a bit late. My spd is fine except when I get out of bed and the old clicking in the pubic bone starts. once the school hols arrive I can take it easy a bit and stay at home more.

mrscjolg my spd with dc1 started on my honeymoon, too much wandering the streets of Paris.

lizzombie rest is the only thing that everyone agrees helps. My physio said that when the pelvis 'gives up' the pelvic floor muscles take over a bit. the belt can help the pelvic floor a bit towards the end of the day. pelvic floor execises are really important too.There's an old thread too with tons of advice about satin pajamas and plastic bags on carseats. the only way I coped with my dc now 4 and 5 was hanging out on this thread, there were a few of us with 3 year olds and that's why the thread got full as a lot of moaning took place!

Hope you're feeling ok hermya .

Hello
I'm 18 weeks with DC2. I had SPD with DS, but this wasn't picked up till very late on.
I seem to be getting it again already, although it's on and off pain in the hips. MW said she would give me a sheet of exercises, but she doesn't seem to have (I can't find one at least) Any suggestions about exercises?

Hi I had it confirmed yesterday that I have SPD. I have been given a support belt by the physio which I have been using today but it seems to make things worse.

This has me worried because the physio said that if it didn't help she would recommend crutches or a wheelchair (I don't see how this would be a physical possibility with dd 2.7)

I feel so useless even getting to the shops to pick up a few bits seems to be a trauma.

DH has been very supportive these last few weeks while I have been in agony. I'm a SAHM and he has still been coming home and tackling the housework that I have been finding too much.

How do you cope? with the toddler, the housework, getting out and about? How do I stop feeling so damned useless?

mum2oneloudbaby How far gone are you?

What kind of pain killers is everyone else on? The Dr has given me a codine/paracetomol pill but I am so worried about taking them now and the pain getting worse and then having no painkillers available which are stronger.

Unless this 'belt' which I am hoping to get from the physio is like a sumo I swear I would get more support if I wear spanx or some kind of really high support knicker! (I'd LOL if it didn't hurt so much!)

I had crutches at about 24wks. Also belt, which I found v useful but my physio said it was a personal thing.

I was on codeine during the day and dihydrocodeine at night. That was a mixed bag TBH as although it ensured I slept (which I really had not been before) I woke up very stiff as I had not moved all night. But then, I didn't have the agonising turning over 8 times a night scenario either! I was able to take codeine right up to the birth but had to stop night pills 2 days before to allow time for it to leave baby's system.

I was initially concerned about taking heavy duty stuff, but honestly, I could not have lived without them.

Another thing - please watch for the constipation issue with codeine. One night I sat all night (literally 10pm til 5am) with baths in between trying to shit a bowling ball! I'd recomment dried chopped apricots and lactulose...

I'm on paracetamol when I need it, I don't want to take it too often though. I normally just try the distraction technique.

Mum2one If it's not helping, take the belt off. Did the physio do any hands on stuff? Mine didn't, so I'm off to see an Osteopath in a few weeks to see what they say. Can you go see someone privately? The pelvic partnership can recomend someone.

BTW, I knew when to stop as I was induced at 38 wks. I asked for this about 25 wks and was given a tentative go ahead.

Thank god I found this, I'm really starting to struggle and had absolutely no idea what was wrong with me. I thought it was a result of weight gain.

I've been in mild/moderate pain since 10 weeks (am 27 weeks now) but recently it's become unbearable. If I sit in a chair or on the sofa I can't get up without feeling like my hips are going to crumble or my back will break. I waddle when I walk and I can't sleep. The mornings are the worst, burning lower back pain + stiff hips. Now my neck and shoulders are starting to hurt because I have to sleep on my side. I've tried tempur pillows, v shaped pillows, no pillows, sleeping upright...nothing works!

What makes it worse is that I have a three hour round trip commute into London each day which includes about 40 minutes of walking to and from the station (not counting 3 changes on the tube!). Once I finally make it into the office I sit in a very cheap uncomfortable chair and I'm sure my desk set up is not ergonomically correct (even if I wasn't PG).

I'm thinking of asking work if I can do 3 days from home as I physically can't cope anymore.

I haven't seen anyone about this yet as I had no idea it was a condition. Does anyone know if I can/should get my midwife or consultant to write a note recommending this?

P.S. Sorry for the long post. Have been suffering alone this whole time and needed to let it all out.

Yes you can - and your gp can write a note too. I don't know if work HAVE to agree though so you might end up taking sick leave / early maternity leave.

Don't waddle - it will make it so much worse. Ask for a referral to an obs physio and they'll probably give you crutches which helps you not waddle.

Re shoulder pain, try putting a divet under your sheet to sleep on, or get a decent squidgy mattress topper. It makes a huge difference.

Oh Wetnoodle you poor thing! I can't imagine doing a 3 hour commute with tub changes too. I can barely manage a 20 minute walk into work.

Definately see your GP and get some decent painkillers. And go soon too, as if you get signed off work in the last 11 weeks before maternity leave is due to start your work may pressure you into leaving and going on early maternity leave.

I saw my GP today he is referring me to physio team, but apparently exercises make this darn thing worse & the physio's are there to show you how best to sit/stand/walk.

Roll on November I can't wait to have this baby now!

Thanks Lizz. I'm home today and am going to see my consultant next week. Luckily DH is really supportive, except for laughing at my waddle, and often tells me to stay home.

October can't come fast enough for me. I'm still suffering from morning sickness. FFS!!!

Button - I don't know what I'd do without my waddle now. It's my signature move .

Is a divet similar to a tempur pillow? If so, I've tried it and it does work for the shoulder but then I can't use the v shaped pillow for my hips and back as I can feel myself out of alignment.

I might start sleeping on the sofa. It's really comfy and I've figured a way to prop myself up on it so I can sleep comfortably and also get up for the fifty trips to the loo I have to take a night

I'm hoping I won't have to get signed off sick for work and we can just come to an agreement that I'll do 2-3 days from home officially. To be honest I'm doing that at the moment but I usually decide in the morning if I can make it in or not. It'd be a lot easier if I knew Weds-Fri (for example) I could be at home.

Lizzzombie - I'm 25 weeks
Hermya321 - No she didn't do any hands on stuff but to be fair I wasn't all that sure she did much at all it just seemed to be open a file, here's your belt, get in touch when it gets worse. We do have an osteopath at our GPs that does pregnancy stuff so if the NHS physio doesn't seem to do anything more then that looks like the way to go.

Mentally I'm much better today think I was just down in my boots yesterday. Still not sure how I'm going to cope for the next 15 or so weeks but have decided dd comes first as life is much quieter when she's happy.

Wetnoodle - the morning sickness is a nightmare had that until 8 months with dd and although everything else is falling apart with this one I am relieved that the ms has not been so bad. How you are coping with that commute I have no idea, you're obviously made of tough stuff. I did find though the days when I didn't rush about so much and took things a bit easier my MS was much improved. Hopefully if you can come to an arrangement with work your MS may improve as well.

Hi all, had my 1st antenatal class today, the end is in sight!! Felt sooo self concious hobbling into the room on crutches, and by the end of the session I was in agony and have spent the afternoon in bed!

Wetnoodle I feel for you! I know you can get signed off to reduced duties by Dr, but check if this affects your maternity leave starting earlier. If you have a pregnancy related illness within 4 weeks of due date maternity leave starts automatically.
mumtooneloudbaby let us know how the osteopath goes. It seems to be all the physio can do is give advice on moving and hand out crutches.

I occasionally take paracetamol, but it doesn't really touch the pain.Although I think I read somewhere you should take the max dose all the time to have any affect- that doesn't really appeal to me. I rarely take any type of painkiller when not pregnant. I use ice packs and warm baths and lots of rest, which really is the only thing that works!

Mum2one - talk about tough stuff, you've already got a LO and working (I definitely consider being a SAHM a job...one with LONG hours and no holiday). It's great that your DH is so supportive.

You're right re: MS, it makes everything worse. Luckily the nausea is gone but I'm still puking most mornings. I really wish brushing my teeth was optional.