Question for anyone with SPD

[Amanda]

As you may know, I have had a bad back for weeks now, and was diagnosed with rib flair caused by the weakening ligaments holding my ribs in place by the physio last week. It is caused by the same hormone that causes SPD. My physio kept asking me if I had any pelvic pain, and thankfully my answer was no.

BUT..... For the past 2 days I have had some strange pain down below. I have checked the websites for SPD symptoms, but they are all described very scientifically, and not in real terms. So I thought that if I describe my symptoms to you, you may be able to tell me if I'm going nuts.

The only way I can describe the pain is the I feel bruised in my vaginal area. It feels like the pain I had when, as a child, I slipped off the seat of my brothers chopper bike straight onto the gearstick! I was badly bruised down below for a week, and this is what this feels like. But only when I move. If I sit, or lay, it doesn't hurt. It is not painful to the touch, or when I go to the loo. It really only hurts when I walk, especially when going upstairs. It also really hurts when I try and stand from being in a sitting position. Because of my big bump, I have to open my legs quite wide to stand (very ladylike!), and this action is very painful now. And when I try to roll over in bed, or get out of bed, I could scream.

Then, this afternoon, I popped to Asda, and bumped into a friend. He came up behind me and asked why I was limping. I hadn't even realised that I was, but after he had said this, I realised that my right hip joint was painful and I was walking really funny to compensate.

Is this what SPD feels like???? Please tell me it's not because I don't think I could cope with another ache or pain.

Luckily I have physio first thing tomorrow, but I wanted to ask you first.

 

[SarahH]

Sorry to say but yup that sounds like SPD.

I had it when I was about 24wks or so onwards. I kept saying to my hubby for ages that it felt like I had been kicked in that vaginal area as it felt bruised. It was awful pain to start with.

I only finally got diagonosed with it after calling NHS-24 one night as I was in agony - they told me to go to the out of hours doctors who gave me a pelvic belt and arranged an appt with physio.

I dont know if it'll help with your back pain but the best thing my physio told me to do and it helped so much was to go to the swimming pool and just float at the side - DON'T DO SWIMMING as it aggrivates it but the water sooths it just with floating.

Hope this helps!!

S.xx

Also, if you are not already try to sleep with a pillow between your knees!!

 

[bubble_dreamer]

Have to agree with Sarah im afraid tankett sounds exactly the same as the pain i get

 

[nicki]

Yep, I agree with the others. Its does sound like SPD. Poor you sending you huge sympathy hugs

The only things I did to help ease the pain was not to walk, sit or stand for long periods, have baths frequently, sat on my birthing ball & when it got really bad took paracetomol. I hobbled around the place, I think people thought I was a complete wally!!

I tried the support belts and OW is all I can say.

Sorry I can't be of much help hun.xx

 

[Yvonne]

I had sevear SPD, i couldn't walk, i couldn't open my legs, i couldn't turn over in bed, it was awful... and i'm affraid to say it doesn't go after birth, I'm still suffering and Jack is 6 months.

The pain i permanently got was in the groin area, like a burning pain, it really affected everything i did. I was on crutches towards the end of pregnancy and was really bad in labour towards the end when baby got to that region.

I got given a belt but got told to use it towards the end when my bump was big and i found it really comfy as it put pressure on my hips, pushing them inwards.

I am only saying this because if you have it bad in that area speak to your physio, they may give you better birth positions.

Anything else i can help you with i will

 

[Amanda]

Crap.

Oh well, thanks ladies for confirming what I already thought. Another one to add to the list. And DH was adamant last night that we were having another baby really close to this one!!!! He'll soon learn!

Well, I'm off to physio in a few minutes so I'll let you know what she says.

 

[Amanda]

Well, the physio confirmed SPD.

There is so much that I have to think about now. All through this pregnancy I had said that I wasn't interested in any form of pain relief during labour, apart from an epidural. I had a long horrible labour with my daughter, and don't want to go through that again. I want an epidural at the first twinge. But the physio has told me this is not a good idea. She said that an epidural should be a very last resort because it could cause me serious problems as I won't be able to tell if I am pushing my legs apart too much.

Also, we were seriously talking about trying for another baby pretty soon after this LO is born, due to my age more than anything. That's out the window now. How can I cope with a small baby whilst being pregnant and having SPD?

I feel that I had some sort of control before this, but now all of that has been taken away from me. You can't do this, you can't do that. Don't walk far, don't stand for long, don't even sit with your legs apart! I feel so restricted. I'm a very independent and busy person, but that is all out of the window now. I've just got to rest as much as possible.

Sorry, I'm having a real feeling down moment now.

 

[Yvonne]

Just to make you feel worse, i had it with Amy and it wasn't that bad- but still painful!!
I had it with Jack it was worse as my hips were still tender from Amy, so just prepare yourself that if you do have another then it will probably be there again.

Sorry i don't like bringing bad news and everyone is different but i just wanted you to know that it may happen again.

 

[Yvonne]

I posted that before reading your last one.

Sorry your feeling like that hun

I know exactly what you are going through and i know what you mean about it being restricting, and it is hard work when you already have 1, Amy was 1 and hakf when i was pregnant with Jack and pushing a pushchair with Amy in was so painful

Make the most of resting hun you won't get it once baby is here!!

 

[Amanda]

Thanks Yvonne. I'm feeling a little better now. I think it was the shock of being bombarded with all this information really quickly. When she booked my appointment, she said she had double-booked herself, but really wanted to see me, so she was really rushed. She kept apologising and said normally she would give me this information in an hour session, but she did it in 20 minutes. She couldn't even give me a belt as they were in a different room and she didn't have the time to fetch it. I'm back later in the week though so should get some more information then.

 

[Eveadel]

Oh Tankett I do feel for you, I know its hard but try and rest up as much as poss and get help whenever and wherever you can



17 DAYS UNTIL ISABELLA MAKES HER APPEARANCE

 

[Amanda]

Well I've made both DH and Kayleigh read the leaflets she gave me, and told them I'm not allowed to do anything strenous at all. So they now have to hoover, clean, shop and cook while I rest. They both took it on board, listened to what I said and agreed to help.

I then went to the loo, and when I came down, DH is asleep on the sofa and Kayleigh has gone out with her mates!!!!

 

[sarahj]

tankett i feel for you! i have had spd from about 17 weeks and yes my fanny feels like it has been hit by a cricket bat! but rest really really really makes it feel better. i now do all my shopping on line with tesco as the pysio said pushing a trolly realy bad and i get my kids to hover! just try hard to keep your legs together ( if we had done that in the first place we would not be in this mess!!!) i have bought a maternity pillow from e bay and i sleep with it between my legs and it has really helped.

hope things not to bad for you
sarah x