Bloody SPD, and bloody NHS

[Amanda]

I went to physio yesterday and she was shocked to see how quickly my SPD has progressed. She now says I am in the 'acute' bracket which only about 10% of women with this condition get to. I'm not allowed to open my legs wider than hip width (I actually can't do this anyway - you should see me putting my knickers on!!! ), not allowed to walk more than 100 yards at a time, and not allowed to stand for more than 5 mins at a time. She tried to fit me with a belt, but they only have a limited number and they are all out (hence the bloody NHS bit in the title ) So I have a large band of tubigrip folded over 3 times over my pelvis, which is soooooo hot! But it does help with the clicking when I walk so I suppose I shouldn't really moan too much. She also said I need crutches , but they haven't got any at the minute, so she has had to order them (another bloody NHS moan). How am I supposed to lug all this wait round on my arms!!!

Right, moan over, back to laying down now as it hurts too much to sit.

 

[chezzabell]

you still working tan?

poor u sounds like a nightmare, do ur hips hurt all the time?

mine hurt so much during the night but seem to get better during the day, do u think i might have the same as u?

 

[Amanda]

I've not been able to work for the past 6 weeks Sophie. Luckily I have a very good employer and my maternity leave doesn't start until the 4th August, but I am still being paid full as I am on the sick. Phew!

It's not so much my hips that hurt, it is literally between my legs in the vaginal area. It feels sore, bruised, and like I have been kicked. Turning over in bed makes me scream. And the past few days I have had a clicking feeling when I walk. My right hip does hurt, but that is only because it is the only side I can lay on comfortably due to LO's position, and my hip therefore feels bruised and I limp constantly. I hope youhaven't got SPD sun as I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, but you may want to get it checked out my your mw.

 

[lauramumof2]

wee soul. What are your options now for giving birth?

 

[chezzabell]

sounds awful hun

i will mention it to my mw next week, its only really my hips that hurt like hell, and i nearly cry myself at night everytime i move over in bed

 

[Amanda]

What are your options now for giving birth?

No epidural which scares the living daylights out of me! I can't have one because then I won't be able to feel if I am in pain in my pelvis and it could cause me serious damage. I am literally scared to death about the labour now and can't think about anything else.

I can't open my legs any wider than hip width so how the hell is a bloody baby gonna get out?!! Particularly one that is already measuring big! I have a feeling that they will opt for a section, which to be honest, suits me down to the ground.

 

[bubble_dreamer]

oh tankett i know that feeling all too well i am dreading giving birth cause of the SPD i am really am luckily i dont want an epidural anyway il just stick with the gas and air i did notice yesterday though there is nothing wrotten in my notes at all about my SPD

 

[Amanda]

I've just checked my notes and I haven't got anything in there about it either!

The mw did mention a water birth which I hadn't even considered. Also, I didn't get the gas and air at all with my daughter, maybe I'll be able to manage with just these. I'm going to a pain relief workshop at the hospital tonight, so hopefully I'll feel a bit better afterwards.

 

[bubble_dreamer]

ul have to let me know what they suggest hun i havent been offered anything from them at all not even antenatal classes infact im coming to the end of my 3rd pregnancy and i have never had one

i wanted a water birth but i was told i couldnt have one because im high risk i think i may try and push towards one when i go into labour though

 

[hayley]

tankett i didn't realise your SPD was soo bad... i knew you'd been signed off work till your maternity starts but i didn't realise the extent of it... poor you! must be hell... your being very brave! can you manage to drive? how are you getting about if you can only stand for 5 mins a time? I really do feel for you! this weather is bad enough when pregnant but having to put up with all tat crap too....

hope you get some good advise about pain killing treatment tonight... strangly enough breaking DH hand eases pain...

x

 

[Amanda]

I am so pleased I went to this workshop last night. A lot of it didn't apply to me as it involved massage and relaxation and movement of the pelvis that I can't do.

But I asked the mw what my best options are. She has put me down to borrow a TENS machine from them from 36 weeks (any earlier can bring on prem labour), and told me to use it with the pads on my pubic bone area. She said there are really 3 options for delivery for women with SPD.
1. A water birth. Not just using water for pain relief, but actually giving birth in the pool. The hospital only has one pool and if it is in use when I get there, tough, but at least there's an option.
2. On all fours (doggy style!). This will open the pelvis enough for the baby to be born, but shouldn't cause any problems for me.
3. Epidural! I said that the physio had told me not to have one, but she said she actually recommends them for women with SPD. She said that the epidurals they give now are not the 'numb from the waist down' ones I had with Kayleigh, they are a lot lower dose. Basically it will take the pain away but I will still be able to feel the tightenings. All I need to do is ensure I know the limitations of my movements beforehand so I don't unwittingly hurt myself.

We then had a consultant anestheseologist (sp?) at the end of the class, and she came and spoke to me afterwards. She said that she actually approaches all women with SPD and tries to talk them into having an epidural as it is the best thing for them!

Bubble - is it just the SPD that makes you high risk, or is there something else hun?

Hayley - I nearly did the break hubbies hand thing last night when he suggested we go home for cuddles after I had sat on a really uncomfortable NHS chair for 2 hours!!!! That's what got me in this mess in the first place!! I can just about manage to drive at the minute, but not too far as I can't sit that long. I'm really struggling on the basic things - I had a shower this morning and couldn't lift my legs to shave them. I'm sitting here with soaking wet hair as I can't stand long enough to dry it (the bedroom mirror is packed ready for moving so I have to stand in the living room to do my hair and makeup). I can't push anything like a hoover, mop or shopping trolley because it hurts too much. And I look like I s**t myself when I walk!! Fingers crossed the crutches hurry up!

 

[hayley]

i know that look (s**t myself) i've just walked into the kitchen and DH nearly wet himself.... i'm walking like i have water retention of the lady bits... i swear i'm dragging them...

Glad you got some good advise. Sounds like the epidural is a good option. I'm hoping i get one. Must be such a relief to know your not going to have to go throu labour unaided.

I really feel for you... it's so frustrating when you can't do simple every day things.. or when you can you have to do them in extra slow snail movements...

x

 

[bubble_dreamer]

Bubble - is it just the SPD that makes you high risk, or is there something else hun?

its a combination of the SPD and the fact that when i went for my first 20 week scan they told me i had lost my first baby but was 11 weeks pregnant that still hasnt sunk in tbh

 

[Amanda]

Bubble - is it just the SPD that makes you high risk, or is there something else hun?

its a combination of the SPD and the fact that when i went for my first 20 week scan they told me i had lost my first baby but was 11 weeks pregnant that still hasnt sunk in tbh

Blimey. I didn't realise that. I bet it still hasn't sunk in. That must have been awful for you. I'll keep everything crossed for you that they let you have your water birth. As long as they keep checking you, I can't see any reason why this would not be allowed.

 

[bubble_dreamer]

thanks hun fingers crossed i dont have to wait much longer to find out too!
they have monitored me really closely throughout the whole pregnancy but these last few weeks not so much so maybe they are less worried now
still id say im keeping everything crossed they let me have it - but then im not going to coz i want this baby out!! maybe il just stick to crossing my fingers

 

[Eveadel]

Oh Tankett you poor thing.

I suffered with SPD and still a little now. I didnt have it as bad as you though.

I had an epidural and can back up what your midwife said about the epidural, I still had feeling and could feel the tightenings but without the pain. My mum & DH did hold onto my legs when I was pushing which in hindsight aggravated my SPD. Just make sure you tell the midwife who is going to deliver your baby and you will be fine

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[Anna Marie]

Sorry Tankett I havent been on for a few days so only just seen your thread... what a nightmare SPD is.. I had no idea!! I hope you are feeling a bit less scared about the birth now after the advice from your class etc.. if I don't end up having a section I will defo be demanding the epidural so at least you can be assured you won't have to endure all the pain if you don't want to!

Cannot be much fun for you being so immobile.. its bad enough in this heat for the rest of us and I am still able to do things but just cannot be bothered in this heat.. bloody typical when the nesting kicks in and I just cannot be arsed to do it and our house is still a building site at the moment so I just cry when I think of the clean up I will have to do next week

Take it easy and hope that DH and kayleigh are looking after you xxxx

 

[nicki]

Tankett, I do sympathise with you. SPD really is the pits

I gave birth to Jamie on my back, didn't have any other option really as I was induced so was wired up with the drip & monitor.
I had an epidural & had been pushing for about an hour before they had to top it up as the pain from the SPD was so excruciating I couldn't push properly & we would've been there for days I couldn't really feel when to push but they told me when I should.
I did tear badly but I could've done anyway?. There was no way I could have done it without an epidural.

Can you be induced early as its that bad? My consultant wanted me to wait the full 2 weeks past my due date but agreed I could go just a week as I was in so much pain.