Top tips please - returning to work and pregnant with SPD/sciatica

[Tinwe]

I return to work next week after 8 months mat leave, my DD is very luckily being cared for by MIL. In some ways I am looking forward to it but I also have all the usual reservations about leaving my little one and there are a couple of complications - I am 5 1/2 months pregnant, suffering from bad sciatica/SPD and am going back to a new workplace. The plan is for me to work full time until mid March when I will start my next mat leave. I am already v big though!
My DH and I would have liked me to stay off right through as DC2 is due just before DD turns 1, but we can't afford to financially. I have spoken to my midwife about my sciatica (so bad I am going upstairs on my hands and knees) but she insists the symptoms will lessen when I'm at work. DH is v worried about how I will cope though as over Xmas he has had to provide a lot of support physically caring for our DD due to the pai- on lifting/carrying her.
Are any wise MNtrs able to give any tips to me, either about returning to work or coping with sciatica/back pain? I had SPD during my last pregnancy so know all the usual guidelibes for that condition. Thanks :)

Bump :)

Anyone?

I suppose the best bet is to go back and then if need be get signed off sick by the GP if you can't function. I imagine work would at least have then seen you and understand the situation if you plan to return to them after your next mat leave?

I had some SPD pain in my pregnancies and I can only imagine how much worse it could have got. Hopefully your work is set up with suitable chairs/desks etc and not too physical? I think you might need to take it a day at a time and see how things pan out. If you are positive and it doesn't work out it makes you look good in work's eyes for the future.

HTH!

Oh and my only tips for back pain would be what you must already have heard - move position often so as not to stiffen up, make sure you walk around frequently if you have an office job, be careful bending and avoid all lifting if possible.

I think that's the current best advice still - I know the old lay on the floor and don't move has been binned in most cases as less effective than keeping things mobile.

Thanks LoveTS, your reply is much appreciated :) You have my empathy re SPD, hope you recovered quickly.
Thanks for your opinions, I have been wondering whether it would appear worse to start work again when I'm prob not up to it or to show willing by attempting to work. I'm already cringing at the thought of my disappointing appearance on the first day! I work in healthcare so have a mixture of desk work and practical activity. I'm not sure exactly what the balance will be until I start.
My midwife said that sitting was making the condition worse which fits with your "keep moving" advice. The only problem is that sitting is the only position that doesn't hurt! Heated wheat bags help but I can't walk around with those on and stick on heat pads tend to contain contraindicated medication too.
I've tried to read around the topic but there's a lot of conflicting information varying from baby pressing on a nerve which should ease when it moves to a damaged disc which pregnancy has just exacerbated. I don't want to do any permenant damage inadvertently so would be reassured to know it's just a temporary nuisance if anyone can do that.

Can you self refer to a physio department? Or be referred to a maternity physio for a pre-work check up/tips?

I know pregnancy hormones loosen ligaments to allow the body to stretch so much, but overstretching is easy and can do damage (which is why some yoga moves are not good in pregnancy).

I was very lucky, I had SPD pain for a few weeks which then lessened considerably for no apparant reason.

Hi LoveTS. Just an update - I didn't have time for a physio ref before starting work but fortunately my sciatica seems to be easing. I assume it was a temporary thing rather than anything more serious and just hope I don't get any more flare ups before April. The SPD is getting worse, but at least I know what to do about that! My new boss is lovely, sympathetic and considerate too so I've been really lucky. Thanks for your ideas :)