SPD

[Phillipa]

Hi everyone, hope we are all doing well
Long and short of it, I've been diagnosed by my midwife with SPD after some new pains and discomfort when sitting, walking, rolling over in bed etc.
She has referred me to see a physio, and I hope to get an appointment letter in the next couple of weeks, but in the meantime I am starting to see my chiropractor, who worked on my back in the past.

The pain is mainly in my groin and seatbones, and occasionally in the front of my pelvis. It hurts to lift my legs up (getting in and out of the shower, car etc), walking is sufficiently uncomfortable even for a short while, and I find I have to keep stopping to sit down.

I currently have myself a "butt pillow" (a.k.a nursing pillow) to sit on whilst at home and this is much more comfortable for me so far. What else have you ladies who've suffered, done to help reduce pain?

Ta muchly!

 

[MoominGirl]

I might not be lots of help as my SPD symptoms have been very much on the mild side.

How far along are you now?

I found I went through a worse phase between 16-20 weeks or so where the right hip in particular just seemed to lock up and suddenly I'd have a lot of pain. This sort of thing would just come and go and nothing in particular seemed to trigger it.

For me the only thing I found even remotely useful was not staying in the one position for too long. It was never a problem in bed. For some reason lying down is generally good for me if I'm uncomfortable.

I did get a referral to physio and I'm glad I'm not suffering more as to be honest it was useless. Hopefully your own chiropractor will be better.

What about a yoga ball for sitting and doing gentle movement?

 

[Phillipa]

Hi MoominGirl, I'm 22 weeks today, I'm not comfortable laying on my side as my ribs feel like they're getting crushed.
I'm looking at buying an exercise ball, but don't have much space in the house for these extra things unfortunately.

I'm seeing my chiropractor tomorrow afternoon, so hoping he can help me before it gets worse.

 

[Mayflower85]

Also diagnosed with SPD/PGP, I've been for physio but here they do a one off group session (which I didn't realise until I got to the appointment) the only thing I've found to help is to limit the things I know make it worse - too much walking, up and down stairs, being on my feet for too long.

The physio suggested keeping knees together when rolling over or getting up, making sure to do pelvic floor exercises, putting a bin bag on the car seat to make it easier to swivel out.

 

[baby.3]

I suffered with spd in my last pregnancy, from about 19wks. Physio isn't all that great to be honest as there isn't much they can do (those where there words!). Basically, they told me to try to keep my knees together when moving Easier said then done when your trying to sat up and have a huge bump to navigate too! I found that walking up the stairs was easier if i walk side ways like a crab lol, there is less movement in the hips. Getting in and out of the car i ended up using a bin liner on the seat. So i'd sit my bum on the liner, then swing both legs in at the same time (saved opening the legs and the liner made it ease to move). Getting in and out the shower was another story, i ended up having to shout OH to come help me out Also if you haven't already tried a bump band give it a go. They help to relieve some pressure on the pelvic area, which helps in the short term.

Unfortunately it's just a case of grinning and baring until LO arrives. I had pretty bad spd and ended up on crutches, but labouring was ok as i spent most of my time on the exercise ball. Then with in hours of having LO my pelivs was fine! I managed to get in the shower by myself for the first time in months!

 

[Phillipa]

Thanks for the advice ladies, I appreciate it!

In regards to a pregnancy band, do you have any particular suggestions? As I have no idea what to look for to help for the SPD.

I definitely have good and bad days at the moment, today being a good one so far. I see my chiropractor in a few hours so he should be able to give me a better understanding and a head start on exercises

 

[Mayflower85]

The physio gave me a huge tubigrip bandage, which is doubled over and goes from my bum to under my boobs. She said it was cheaper than a bump band but just as effective. I've never used a bump band so can't comment, but the tubigrip does help to hold everything in.