Pelvic Instability Association

[wonkyjoints]

Hi All,
I just wanted to let you all know about a new support network for women with pelvic instability/SPD in Australia. We are called the Pelvic Instability Association (PIA) and have been meeting in Victoria for a couple of years. We recently incorporated as an association and would love to hear from anyone who has or is experiencing this debilitating condition. We have a website: www.pelvicinstability.org.au with lots of information and tips. Our next meeting is on the 26th Feb at Carnegie (Melbourne). We are having guest speaker Libby Oldfield, an experienced obstetric physiotherapy to speak about physiotherapy in pelvic instability.
I have two beautiful girls and experienced fairly severe pelvic instability in both pregnancies (ended up in a wheelchair both times). My children are now 2 and 6 and I am mostly recovered, although still get pain from time to time and need to be careful what I do.
I would love to hear back from anyone who is interested!
Cheers,
Kate

[uptheduff]

Thanks for the link! I also suffer from spd during my pregnancies, although no where near as bad as you do....I never ended up in a wheelchair! It nearly went undiagnosed in my first pregnancy, as my midwife dismissed my complaints as 'normal pregnancy pain' until one day i was barely able to walk! By this time i was 36 weeks pregnant and it was too late to do anything!

[Ky]

Thanks for the link ...

I have a close friend who suppered a fractured pelvis with bub #1 and is ttc #2 now ... I'm sure she will appreciate any help and advice she can get! It will also help to know what I can do to help ...

[Mumof2+1]

My oh my, Where were you 14months ago. My 3rd bub is now 8mnths old and I suffered terrible SPD with her. I was in extreme pain for 6mnths. I had to use a walking frame to get arround, that was when I could even get out of bed or off the floor. Thankfully my older kids who are only 6 & 8, helped with everything. I was finally induced because I just couldn't handle the pain anymore but I was told I had to have an epidural or have a c-section. I had my other 2 naturally and did not want an epi but didn't want a c-section even more. I ended up being terribly disapionted at not being able to feel bubs birth but overjoyed at the same time to be rid of the endless pain and feel normal for a while. I am now fine but have to be carefull, mind you I am playing squash again. Maybe not the smartest thing, but life must go on.
I'm so glad you have posted so other mums to be don't have to go through what I did alone and scared.

Trish
Taylah 8 1/2yrs
Jacob 6 1/2yrs
Ellah 8mnths

[♥Heaven Sent♥]

Hi there i suffered from spd in my first pregnancy whats the chances that ill get it this time?

[Mumof2+1]

Hi Jaclin,
Fromwhat I now know, the chances of it re-occurring in futre prgnancies is very high (I hate to say) but you never know you could be one of the lucky ones.
I must say that this is one of the reasons hubby and I aren't having anymore children. We have 3 now but did want a 4th, but I have miscarried 4times in the past and have endometriosis and major problems with my first 2 pregnancies but after the SPD I had with bub number 3, that was the clincher, no more for me. I wish you all the best, but remember the most important thing if you do start to have the same problems as with your first, is to get help early as this can reduce the severity of it this time arround.
Good luck!!

Trish
Taylah 8 1/2yrs
Jacob 6 1/2yrs
Ellah 8mnths

[♥Heaven Sent♥]

Thanks for the info if i do end up getting it i hope its no worse than the last time it was painful and sometimes i couldnt walk but from what i have heard it does get worse.

[wonkyjoints]

Hi, thanks all for your relply's. Yes, I had it in both of my pregnancies, worse second time around. And it is the reason we are only having two.
If anyone is interested we are having a meeting in Melbourne on the 26th Feb with guest speaker Libby Oldfield talking about physiotherapy and pelvic instability. Send me a PM if you want to know more.
Cheers,
Kate

[Mummabear]

Thank you so much for the link. It's nice to know there is support out there for us. I had PIA during my pregnancy and it took 6 months for me to be able to get around without loads of pain afterwards. I'm so keen to have another baby, but after what I went through I want to be a little more prepared next time around. I'm in the process of losing weight and working on core muscle strength to help with the condition next time around.

I don't live in Melbourne, do you think they will be branching out and doing stuff in other states?

[wonkyjoints]

Hi,
We would love to hear from you as we do have members in other states as well. You can email the group on pelvicinstability@yahoo.com to become involved.
Cheers,
Kate

[dueinjan]

today was the day i discovered pelvic instability. it started when i bent down to pick something up at the chemist. it was a sharp pain the jolted me back upright and it had gotten worse throughout the day. it brought me to mercy hospital as i could not walk, sit, lie down or do anything without ending up in tears. i knew right away there was definitely something odd about this pain. i cld not even bend down to pick up a dress on the floor for my daughter. i am struggling and in much pain. i was wheeled into emergency in a wheelchair and was sent home without much info on pelvic instability. i would like more support and your website has much information. thank you.

[wonkyjoints]

Hi, I'm so sorry about the pain you're in! Was it Mercy hospital Melbourne? We have quite a few group members attending that hospital at the moment, have you seen a phsiotherapist?
I'm glad you found the website helpful - to contact the group, email pelvicinstability@yahoo.com - the next meeting is in August in Carnegie (Melbourne) and we will be looking at issues of grief and loss in pelvic instability. You're very welcome to attend (email us for more information).
I hope your pain eases - some people find that it does once you modify your lifestyle, lots of women find ice very helpful as well (but talk to your physio about the best way of managing it for you).
All the best,
Kate

[dueinjan]

hi kate. thanks for your response. my first physio appointment is tomorrow morning and i am glad to finally get something done about it -like maybe get a pair of crutches or some sort of belt to hold me upright. the panadeine forte only makes the pain a little more tolerable. i've moved to having heat pack for my back b/c i didn't like how the ice made me cold. but possibly the most embarassing thing is having my hubby help me in the bathroom. it was a taste of what old age is like. wasn't pretty. luckily i can manage better in the bathroom but very slowly. i cannot sit upright for long. can having pelvic instability lead to pregnancy loss? i am in so much pain but the bub seems ok.

[Tea Lady]

Hi Kate, just wondering if you know whether strengthening excercises can help? I've got pain in my right sacro-illiac joint and my physio has only given me coping tips so I'm wondering if there is any point in hoping that excercises might help? (Obviously exercises from the physio!)

[wonkyjoints]

I haven't heard of any instances of pregnancy loss due to pelvic instability. But there are many other things which can lead to intense feelings of grief & loss eg loss of role & function, the idealised birth, a healthy, active pregnancy, relationship difficulties, dependence, perhaps disappointment in diagnosis and treatment, ongoing pain (need I go on!).
There is certainly evidence to suggest that increasing core stability may improve symptoms of pelvic instability - and it makes sense - all those muscles, plus the pelvic floor, as well as the multifidus muscle in the back, help stabilize the pelvis. When the pelvis is unstable, as often is the case in pregnancy, the function of these muscles is really important. Also, often these muscles can get "turned off" when you're in pain, or resting a lot (which is often necessary when you have pelvic instability).
PIA cannot give medical advice (we are not health professionals) but would recommend that you see an obstetric or women's health physio - talk to your hospital about one in your area. Exercises may well help.
Cheers,
Kate

[dueinjan]

thanks kate. my physio is at mercy hospital in heidelberg. i was told they are great there. i am hoping to get some tips on how to eleviate the plan and cope around the house with a 2 1/2 yo as my husband works m-f full time. he has taken a week off to help around this week which has been a great help as it is a lot of work taking care of a child.

i have found being in bed really helps however sitting up and moving/getting out of bed is difficult. however, being out of bed and walking helps too.

it feels nothing like the night i went into mercy emergency. the pain was 10/10. today the pain is 7/10.

will check back again tomorrow after the physio.

ps it is good to hear that incidences of pregnancy loss is not an issue. i agree that the grief and loss of the independance prior to this is what i find most difficult to get used to.

[dueinjan]

i saw the physiotherapish at mercy hospital in heidelberg this morning. it was a long appointment as i was thoroughly examined and was given a back massage to loosen up my tight joints and muscles. received lots of tips and advise on how to manage the pain. i never knew holding in the tummy and tightening the pelvic floor helped to put the pressure off the back. i got a pelvic belt to hold me in place which really helped and crutches to take the weight off. i felt really good after the appointment as i do not have to rely on panadeine forte. i will continue to use the hot water bottle. hot showers help too as i found out. i ididn't have to pay a thing for the consultation. the crutches were $50 but fully refundable once returned. that's great. the only thing is the girdle which was $42 (i'm unsure if that is refundable). but those of you who experience this kind of pain, please get yourself to a physiotherapist right away as you really do not need to put up with it. i am more confident now with the aids i have now. plenty of rest is what is needed too. hope this helps some of you who are wondering if there is help out there.

[wonkyjoints]

I'm so thrilled you found the physio helpful. I haven't met them there, but being a large teaching hospital that delivers heaps of bubs, they should have their stuff together in terms of treating this!
I hope you continue to experience relief.
Cheers, Kate
P.S. The pelvic instability association's webpage has lots of coping tips - see www.pelvicinstability.org.au