What does SPD feel like?

x-kirsty-x

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I've been in agony the past month or so, mainly on a night. Its just like a really bad pain on one side of my 'bits' :oops: Until now I've put it down to the weight of the baby.

Its started to affect my sleeping cos turning over is just so painful. If I get up to go the toilet in the night I can hardly walk :cry:

I'd never really thought about SPD cos I thought that caused more of a burning sensation than pain? :?

Anyway, I decided to look it up online this morning and one site seems to describe exactly what Im feeling. It'll be more helpful though hearing from someone who has experienced it first hand :)
 
Hi Kirsty,

I'll be really interested to read replies to this too - over the past week of so I feel like someone has kicked me in the 'flower' or like I've been on a bike too long (you know what I mean).

It's sore when I walk or turn over in bed or climb stairs - it's liveable with at the moment, but I think it's only going to get worse! I had wondered about SPD but thought it might just be the weight of the baby too.

I don't have any hip pain though, which I had associated with SPD?

Love

Valentine xxx
 
Here's my two-penneth having suffered last time and now this pregnancy too....
It sounds like you are experiencing SPD. For me the most noticeable pain is when moving legs even just putting one in front of the other can be agony. It helps to wear a support belt (your midwife should give you one or you can get them from Mothercare) as this takes some of the pressure off your lower regions!
Good piece of advice: when getting out of bed, swing both legs round together rather than one at a time. This really helps.
I'm sorry to hear of fellow suffferers: it really is not nice. :(
 
valentine said:
Hi Kirsty,

I'll be really interested to read replies to this too - over the past week of so I feel like someone has kicked me in the 'flower' or like I've been on a bike too long (you know what I mean).

It's sore when I walk or turn over in bed or climb stairs - it's liveable with at the moment, but I think it's only going to get worse! I had wondered about SPD but thought it might just be the weight of the baby too.

Love

Valentine xxx

Yes thats exactly how it feels! I see the consultant tomorrow so I'll mention it and let you know what he says :)
 
Im suffering from SPD and im going to see the consultant tomorrow.
It sound like your deffinatly suffering from it to me. Im worse at night, turning over in bed is impossible now - its easier to sit up - get out - turn around - then get back into bed, than it is just to 'turn over'. If i lay in one place (e.g. the couch) for more then 2-3minutes - its alot of pain to get back up again. My hips and 'pubic' area feel like the bones are 'crunching' and aching so much :cry: its bought me to tears alot of times - especially at night. Getting in and out of the car is also very painful. - Standing on one leg is out of the question! (when putting jeans on etc)

Id menchin it to your midwife, mine was very sympathetic and booked me in to see the consultant - she seems to think that if im in that much pain theres no way they'll let me go over my due date.

Anyway my appointment is tommorrow ill let you know what they say, suddgest etc.

Theres some exersices above *sticky* that may help - but to be honest i think there abit obvious - do's and donts'.
 
What is Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)?


The two halves of your pelvis are connected at the front by a stiff joint called the symphysis pubis. This joint is strengthened by a dense network of ligaments which means that under normal conditions, very little movement occurs. In order to make your baby's passage through your pelvis as easy as possible, your body produces a hormone called relaxin, which softens the ligaments in your pelvis. As a result, these joints move more during and just after pregnancy.

We are not sure exactly what causes SPD but current thinking indicates that if one side of the pelvis moves more than the other when you walk or move your legs, this can lead to pain and inflammation at the symphysis pubis. X-rays and scans may not diagnose the problem as this rotation does not show up on most scans. Many women with SPD experience significant pain without any great separation of the joint -- the amount of pain isn't related to the degree of separation.

A related condition is diastasis symphysis pubis (DSP) in which the pubic joint loosens and leaves an abnormally wide gap between the two pelvic bones. The average gap between the bones in a non-pregnant woman is 4-5mm and during pregnancy it's normal for this gap to widen by 2-3mm. If the gap is 10mm or more, DSP is diagnosed. This is a rare condition and can only be diagnosed by X-Ray.


When does it happen?



SPD can occur towards the end of the first trimester or after delivery. Many women notice their symptoms for the first time around the middle of their pregnancy. If you experience SPD in one pregnancy, it is more likely that it will reoccur in your next pregnancy. The symptoms may also come on earlier and progress faster, so it is important to seek help as early as possible. It can help if you allow the symptoms from one pregnancy to settle before trying to conceive another child.


What are the symptoms?


Pain in the pubic area and groin are the most common symptoms. You may also suffer from back pain in pregnancy, Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) or hip pain. It is common to feel a grinding or clicking in your pubic area and the pain may travel down the inside of the thighs or between your legs. The pain is usually made worse by separating your legs, walking, going up or down stairs or moving around in bed. It is often much worse at night and can stop you getting much sleep. Getting up to go to the toilet in the middle of the night can be especially painful.


How is it diagnosed?


SPD is becoming more widely understood by GPs, obstetricians and midwives. Your doctor or midwife should refer you to a physiotherapist from the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Women's Health, who will have experience in treating this complaint. It is diagnosed by a combination of your own description of symptoms and a series of tests designed to look at the stability, movement and pain in your pelvic joints.


How is it treated?


A pelvic support belt can often give quick relief. Exercises -- especially for the tummy and pelvic floor muscles -- form a large part of the treatment and are aimed at improving the stability of your pelvis and back. You may need mobilisation (a gentler form of manipulation) of your hip, back or pelvis to correct any underlying movement dysfunction. Hydrotherapy (exercise in water) and acupuncture can sometimes be useful. Surgery is only used to treat the most severe DSP cases and is often unsuccessful.

You should also be given advice on how to make normal daily activities less painful and on how to make the birth easier. Your physiotherapist or midwife can help you to devise a birth plan which takes your SPD symptoms into account.

Other therapies that may be useful include osteopathy and chiropractic but it is essential that you see a registered practitioner who is experienced in treating pregnant women.


Self-help tips


• Avoid pushing through any pain. If something hurts, if possible don't do it. If this type of pain is allowed to flare up, it can take a long time to settle back down again.

• Move little and often. You may not feel the effects of what you are doing until later in the day or after you have gone to bed.

• Rest regularly by sitting reasonably upright with your back well supported.

• Avoid heavy lifting or pushing (supermarket trolleys can be particularly painful).

•When dressing, sit down to put on clothing such as your knickers or trousers. Pull the clothing over your feet and then stand up to pull them up. Don't try to put your legs into trousers, skirts or knickers whilst standing up.

• When climbing stairs, go up them one step at a time. Step up onto one step with your best leg and then bring your other leg to meet it. Repeat with each step.

• Avoid separating your legs and making straddling movements -- such as when getting in and out of the car or bath. If you need to separate your legs, do so slowly and carefully and keep your back arched.

• Avoid swimming breaststroke if you can and take care with other strokes. Swimming can often feel like it is helping whilst you are in the water but cause an increase in pain when you get out.

• Performing regular pelvic floor exercises and lower abdominal exercises can help to reduce the strain of the pregnancy on your pelvis. To perform a safe and easy lower abdominal exercise, get down onto your hands and knees and level your back so that it is roughly flat. Breathe in and then as you breathe out, perform a pelvic floor exercise and at the same time pull your belly button in and up. Hold this contraction for 5-10 seconds without holding your breath and without moving your back. Relax the muscles slowly at the end of the exercise.

• Follow the advice in our protecting your back and pelvis article.

• You can get in touch with other women in your situation by contacting The Pelvic Partnership, a charity which was set up to offer support to women with SPD. The National Childbirth Trust also offers information and support to women with a range of pelvic dysfunctions.


How soon will I recover from my SPD symptoms after the birth?


A recent study showed that around 60% of women with SPD still experienced some symptoms after delivery. Most women find that their symptoms improve after the birth of their baby although a small percentage still have pain when their babies are a year old. You should continue with physiotherapy after the birth and get help with looking after your baby during the early weeks if you can. Some ex-sufferers find they experience pain every month just before their period is due, which is caused by hormones which have a similar effect to the pregnancy hormone relaxin.
 
I was wondering if I had SPD , my hips and pelvis are really painful especially my hips when im in bed. I cant lie on them some nights, which poses a problem as the only other position is on my back, which means I cant breathe. It hurts to get up and turn over and my tummy hurts too when i turn over. Im just counting the days now.
 
Here's how it feels for me:-

I have a pain in the left side of my pubic area. Sometimes it feels like it's a heavy weight pulling on that side. Other times it's a general aching even when I'm not moving. It makes me feel like I want to "hold myself" in that area to give more support (obviously I haven't done this in public!)

I can't stand on one leg or lean on one side. I have a problem putting my knickers on or dressing which requires stepping into clothes (e.g. trousers). I have to sit down on the bed to do it.

I can't turn over in bed without putting my knees together and moving in one motion. I can't get in/out of the car properly as I have to have my legs together for that too.

I can't carry something heavy or lift stuff. I can't walk too far without my pubic area feeling heavy or my hips aching. I can't squat, legs open, without the ache starting. I prefer to wear tighter, supportive, underwear as it's more comfortable for that area.

Basically if I find I do anything which hurts - I stop. I have learnt over the last few weeks it's easy to overdo it and then I pay heavily when I get to bed as that's when the really bad pain starts.

Here's the link to the exercises which I found have eased the pain somewhat. They are worth a try:-

http://www.pregnancyforum.co.uk/forum/v ... hp?t=16983

I hope you get on ok with your MW as mine really didn't take it too seriously and hasn't referred me for physio etc.

Rachelandjarvis I'll be really interested to read how you get on with the Consultant tomorrow. :) Good luck!

:hug:
 
Sabrina said:
Here's how it feels for me:-

I have a pain in the left side of my pubic area. Sometimes it feels like it's a heavy weight pulling on that side. Other times it's a general aching even when I'm not moving. It makes me feel like I want to "hold myself" in that area to give more support (obviously I haven't done this in public!)

Mines in the left side too and its exactly like what you've explained.

At least I have some idea of what it may be now, maybe the consultant will take me seriously when I tell him :pray:
 
My sypmtoms sound alot like Sabrina's. I posted this on Friday
http://www.pregnancyforum.co.uk/forum/v ... hp?t=32511
But yesterday it seemed to get worse, me and hubby were out shopping and my pubic area and thigh (right side) was absolute agony. In the end I just had to come home. I fell asleep last night on the sofa, had to crawl upstairs and my hubby had to lift me up to go into bed.
I'm going to make an appointment to see my G.P. about it this week.

If I do have SPD does it mean I have to have a consultant led birth or could i still have a midwife led birth? and Does it mean I have to have physio?
 
I've suffered from this since 26 (ish) weeks. It's so painful especially turning over at night.

Seen a physio and she thinks my case is fairly mild - so I feel so sorry for anyone who has a severe case.

She advised me to get plenty of rest, aviod stairs, aviod swimming breaststroke, sit down to get dressed.

She said it was too late for a maternity belt (I didn't get to see her until 36 weeks). She has given me an open appointment until the end of July and if it hasn't gone away by then I should contact her and she would give me some physio.
 
I dont get pain in my groin but in my back. Im not sure if it is SPD. I get a stabbing, splintering pain in my lower spine and when I put more weight on one leg (even the slightest bit more) i feel like there is a sharp knife stabbing up the bottom of my spine. I get the pain every day and it gets worse towards the end of the day. It hurts when i try and turn over in bed but isnt paticularly more painful when i go to the loo in the night (like the extract mentions). My mw has said i may be able to get phyisio for it so i might talk to her about it at my next appointment next week. Until then I guess I'll just keep my hot water bottle handy.
 
Hi

Ive been getting these pains for over a month now im in agaony at at night to turn over in bed hurts so much .
mine is mostly on my right side though then the left as alot ofyou are getting. It also hurts just to touch my pubic bone.
I will ask my doc at my next appointment on the 7th
Katrina
 

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