A Guide to SPD

[wocket]

SPD, PSD whatever you want to call it. It doesn't help that the medical profession keep changing the name.

Ok, I've offered my phone number to a few of you now, and there are coping strategies. I found that if I did something silly that the pain would intensify for about three days and only with care did the level of pain go back down.

My experience with all this started around week 24 and progressed to being stuck in bed a month before the birth and two months after.
First read this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphysis_pubis_dysfunction#Birth_planning

Here are a few tips...

General Comfort
Stay symmetrical. ALWAYS. No exceptions unless you really really have to. That means no crossing your legs, sitting with one foot raised above the other, using the sewing machine or the car. Do not let anyone (physios/chiropractors/doctors) manipulate your legs one at a time, they must be moved together. This includes during birth. If not then you’ll experience a defiant stretching or compression of the symphysis pubis muscle, which does not feel good at all. It’s the relaxing of this muscle that is causing you pain.

Don’t bend to pick thing off the ground. If you live with someone or get to the point when you need a carer (my husband had to quit his job to look after me in the last month, then continued to look after me and the baby for a further 3 months) then they can pick things off the floor.

Don’t carry heavy or bulky objects. Easier said than done considering you’re currently carrying a baby and placenta around on top of your bladder and pelvis. Avoid carrying things that are heaver than a couple of kilos if you can. Ask the people at the supermarket to help you with the shopping or even get it home delivered.

Swim. I can’t stress that enough. Swim swim swim! It was the one time I came close to being pain free, even the day before labor. Don’t worry about what you look like in a bathing suit at this point. You can look silly and be almost pain free or you can stay in pain. Your choice.
I’m not talking about doing laps. In fact doing any sort of leg movement in the water is a big no-no as the water resistance makes it hard work and can stress the SPD. No, what I’m talking about is getting into a heated wheelchair accessible pool and floating for hours with a pool noodle. Even if you don’t have a wheelchair it’s important to use one with a ramp. It makes getting in (and the hardest bit) getting out so much easier. Towards the end of my pregnancy it was also the only place I could sleep, the pain was too intense at home on dry land.

If you want to do laps try using just your arms. You can do breaststroke arms, backstroke arms or even freestyle arms. Placing a pool noodle under your breasts and above your belly can help you with flotation.

If you don’t have access to a pool then a deep warm bath is your next best thing, but it’s important that when you get in and out that you use your arms to do all of the heavy lifting and swing your legs under you, ankles together.

Remember to be symmetrical.

Towards the end of my SPD experience I found that strapping my legs together while sitting somehow helped ease the pain.

Mobility
Avoid walking up hill/stairs as much as possible. If you do have to walk up hill/steps then try doing it backwards. I don't know why it helped, it just did. I found it easier to walk down hill than up, at first. As the pain got worse downhill also became very painful and difficult.

Avoid driving if you can help it. You need to stay as symmetrical as possible, always. Driving involves putting more strain on one leg than the other and gives your hips a slight twist. Now is not the time to skimp on favors from loved ones to get you where you need to go, or taxies if loved ones aren’t available.

If you are going to get in and out of a car place a plastic bag on the seat. It will help your bottom glide onto the seat. Get into the car by lowering yourself bottom first onto the seat then swing both legs around at the same time.

I found that using crutches to get around suddenly reduced my pain dramatically. Seriously, getting crutches was a god send. To use them with this sort of pain you place most of your weight on the crutches then take a small step. move the crutches forward a bit, repeat. It can take awhile to get used to them, and you will move slowly but you can cover much more distance. If you're concerned or feel bad about having to use crutches think of it this way..."I might look silly but at least I won't be in so much pain and might even be able to sleep at night!"

When you get up at night to go to the toilet does it hurt like hell for those first few steps? That’s where those crutches come in really handy. Use them to pull yourself out of bed and down the hallway. The pain will be significantly reduced.

When crutches become too painful to use you’ll need to progress to a wheelchair. OMG! I’m not a cripple, I hear you say. Well I’m sorry to tell you that if it gets bad enough you actually are crippled by the relaxin flooding your system. By using a wheelchair you’ll suddenly rediscover the joys of moving faster than a snails pace. Many places around Australia have wheelchair friendly taxis and buses. Shopping centers often loan them out to patrons so you can shop if not completely able bodied enough to drag yourself from one end of the complex to the other. You can also hire them from the Red Cross at reasonable rates. Avoid chemist hire, way to expensive.

Sleeping
What sleep? It was impossible towards the end there. But when you’re in bed while pregnant you’ll need to lay on your side with your knees symmetrically placed. Pillows between your legs are a god send. Try a few different thicknesses and differing number of pillows till you find the right balance. Avoid the temptation to have your bottom leg strait and top leg bent. You’re guaranteeing yourself pain if you do.

You may need to build yourself a “pillow fort.” That is have a couple of pillows for between your legs, one supporting your back, one to hug and one to have your head on.

I was always told to bend my knees together and keep ankles glued together to turn over in bed, but the stain on my pelvis was more than doubled if I did this. Instead I kept my legs together and strait when I rolled over.

Speaking of rolling over now is the time to kick your partner out of bed. I’m serious about this.

Try rolling over while staying on your side of the bed. Compare that to being able to roll from one side of the bed to the other then rebuilding the “pillow fort” around you. Much more comfortable. Explain to your partner the difference in the pain you’re experiencing. It’s only for a couple of months, I’m sure they’re grown up enough to accept it.

Don’t believe anyone who tells you that during the birth walking will help ease the pain if you already found walking painful pre-labor.

After the birth
After the birth you can sleep on your back, and boy does that reduce the pain!

I was in too much pain to be able to pick up my baby from her crib for two months. This meant that every feed she needed to be brought to me, every nappy change someone else had to do it. Make sure the midwives know you have SPD and you’re limitations. Don’t struggle through the pain, you’ll only make it worse. If possible have a friend camp out in the room with you, or you’ll have to rely on the midwives to pick up your baby every time the baby needs you.

Talk to the hospital about keeping the catheter in for a day or more longer than usual due to your lack of mobility. Have your crutches and (if necessary) wheelchair with you in the recovery area.

If you’re breastfeeding you may find it more comfortable to lay on your side and feed the baby that way. Sitting up really strait can also work but my pain levels where to high for that. Laying at an angle will put extra pressure on the pelvis. If you have big boobs and can’t feed on your side invest in a booby sling, sold by the ABA. They are a godsend!

For the first 3 months after the birth I was unable to wash or change the baby let alone or walk and hold her. I could barely get out of bed. You will nee full time help and keep in mind that your partner may need some helpers from time to time too.

Just remember that the pain will go away, it could take two weeks (ha!) to a year to completely go away. Mine took about 4 months and my only lingering pain is from walking with ligaments I haven’t used properly in 6 months.

[wocket]

anyone else with tips?

[Hunter's Mum]

I was just wondering what the symptoms were when you first started to experience the pain.

I have a checkup on Friday and have been experiencing increasing pain over the last week and a half. I was checking symptoms on the net and PSD was one of the things it matched. I am only about 19 weeks and never had these kind of pains with my first 2 babies....

just dont know if I should be concerned or if they will tell me its all just part of being pregnant...

Thanks for sharing so much about your experience!!

[wocket]

Apparently it's more common to have the issue after your first pregnancy. I'm told that once you have it each subsequent pregnancy it's worse.

Mine started as an generalised ache between my legs. After a few weeks I could place it to an area a bit above and behind my clitoris.

At first it was kind of like a bad muscle strain or bruise. Some people refer to it as like being kicked in the crotch, a description that has a whole different meaning depending on if your male or female.

hope this helps?

[Nanay]

For me it was persistent and painful back pain when i was standing up for a long period of time (i.e. washing dishes, cleaning the bathroom sink) I find that I would have to stop and lie down for a bit for the pain to stop and then continue after about 20 minutes.
As well when rolling around in bed. I would be in pain sleeping on one side and it was even more painful rolling on to the other side..
Oh and getting that first step out when getting up from bed. That was the most painful. I could get up but actually lifting my leg to take a step was a big deal!
What it felt like?? it felt like my pubic area was being pulled in two different directions!!
And the back pain..was just a lower back pain (hence why i ignored it for a while i thought it was just a pregnancy thing but the physio said it could manifest itself as back pain as well).
HTH...If unsure, check with a physio, they actually found that my one hip dropped when standing on the opposite leg.

[jewelzy]

Hi regarding subsequent pregnancies it being worse.
My story may give some of you hope.

With me I got it with baby No2 very early on and was bedbound and hospitalised on Pethidine. Extreme case hospital said and having big babies didnt help.
Came out of hospital with new baby and wheelchair!lol

Baby No3 had it again severe, hospitalised and bedbound.

* However before I had baby No4, I thought I had barmy hormones as SPD was still playing up 2years later.

I got diagnosed with PCOS and got put on meds and my hormones settled.
Had big gap (couple of years) and went for Baby No4, guess what no SPD!!

My advice after going through hell with SPD is have your hormones checked out later. As I think this made my SPD worse and made things hang around after birth.
Also having a larger gap between pregnancies helped.

J

[julietv8]

Its funny you say that, because I have SPD (again :rolleyes:) and PCOS, and I know wocket does too...maybe a link?

Also, a pelvic support belt really helps. My pelvis was so unstable that every time I moved the bones ground together and I now have bone erosion where my pelvis meets in the middle. I found the belt helps on bad days to just keep everything together.

[wocket]

oh! forgot to tell you all about using a belt, they can help a lot. I always had mine down around my hips and quite tight. I would use it for laying down and standing but couldn't wear it for sitting because my huge belly got in the way.

i do wonder about the PCOS and SPD link, seems a common thing.

jewelzy (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/member.php?u=38119) what sort of PCOS treatments are you on? I recnelty tried an IUD and had a migrane until they took it out again. Now it's just metaformin.

[jewelzy]

Hi,
Im on Metformin too.
I found Metformin worked ok for me. I was feeling so ill and agony with my pelvis previously.

Metformin works for PCOS, but wouldnt say it works 100%. However I feel worse without it.

J

[Maryannegb]

Hi all,

how great to find this post. I am currently 26w +3 days. I first got my pain at 22w.

I find I get the most pain when walking, driving the car and laying in bed. I use panadeine forte to try and sleep and I use panadol and plain panadeine during the day.

It was good to read so many things to try - I will give them a go.

I think it is going to get to the point of crutches for me.

i really feel for my little 4 year old. I think he finds mummy been sick really hard.

[julietv8]

One other thing I forgot to mention, when you are getting into bed, cross your ankles and pull outward with your thighs, this deactivates the abductor muscles (the ones that pull your legs together) which attach to your symphisis pubis and can help relieve the pain getting in and out of bed.

[wocket]

I'd forgotten about that one. niceone juliet.

If it gets too painful to get in and out of bed then you can get someone to help you lift your legs up to the mattress and down to the floor while they are crossed. it must be very hard with a 4 year old. i only had cats and chickens to worry about.

If you want to PM me and chat some time I'd be happy to share my phone number.

[Maryannegb]

Well have decided to stop driving the car now - feel like i am constantly asking people to help out. I live in a small town in Western Australia, friends are been fantastic. Family are going to come here closer to the birth (have to have elective c-section).

I am sure others are the same but I am never free from the pain - just sometimes stronger than others. I have gone onto crutches now to try and ease some of the pain when walking. Just wish I could sleep - every time i need to move which is quite often I am awake and then need to start the getting back to sleep thing all over again.

I am so frustrated - I went from competing in a fitness competition late last year and exercising some times two times a day for 5 days of the week, to having a job to walk from one end of the house to the other!

My 4 year old is having lots of plays at other peoples houses after school - which he is loving - makes me not feel so bad about mum not been able to do so much! Hubby is been very understanding and a great help!

[wocket]

Maryannegb, you poor thing. Thats what mine was like. The pain was constant. The only true relief came from floating in a warm pool but coming back onto land, and the pain, was so emotional, it made it so hard to actually go to the pool at all in the last two weeks. Atleast I didn't have to worry about a child to look after.

Please don't feel bad about asking people for help, they will understand.

Do you have a support belt? Ask at your local chemist and wear it really low down on it's tightest setting. I even wore it to bed some times! They arn't particulalrly comfortable but they lessen the pain.

Now you're going to crutches make sur that you're taking baby steps. you don't go fast but atleast you can get places. now is the time to start filling the freezer with prmade meals. It got so much harder for me to do anything as this ****er of a thing progressed.

Bring on the uternine replicators! I'm over this whole birth thing.

[Maryannegb]

Well I obviously can not even be clean now LOL! After my shower this morning I ended back in bed on panadeine forte in tears trying to ease the pain.

Did you have a seat or something similar to sit on in the shower. I just don't think I could get in and out of the bath right now.

Pregnancy is over rated!!!!!!

[julietv8]

I just have quick showers. I find acupuncture really helps with the pain management side of things so if you have access to it and can afford it, its worthwhile (just make sure your they are fully trained and deal with lots of pregnant women). I'm about 21 weeks pregnant at the moment but this is my second SPD pregnancy and I'm with you...it sucks!

I'm starting hydrotherapy on Tuesday too, so hopefully that will help.

[my-fab5]

Thanks heaps for this info. I am almost 24 weeks pregnant with my 4th and had SPD mildly in the last 2 months of my 3rd pregnancy and then about a week after the birth. I am just starting to notice the early signs now, so with all these wonderful tips I can hopefully avoid being bedridden. I didn't educate myself at all last pregnancy and hoped that I would be symptom free this pregnancy, but it's not looking good so far. Damn that relaxin.:)

[wocket]

I found that I was ok standing in the shower...but couldn't do my legs for months. had to get hubby to help out there. investing in a loofa on astick does wonders.

Getting in and out of the bath became easier once I learned how to get down and back up by putting my hands on the sides of the bath and bracing while I swung my legs under me at the same time. It's such a habit I still do it!

you can get special shower seats from chemists, either hire or to buy. beware that for some people sitting can exacerbate the problem.

[tomtom]

OMG! I think I have this to.
I have the sorest fanny bone in the world, the top inner thighs are killing me and when I support my belly with my hands and arms while walking helps immensly. I thought it was just 'symptoms' of being pregnant. It has gotten worse with each pregnancy. Jeesh

Like Maryannegb stated pregnancy IS overated.

Thanks girls for such an informative thread.
Will get this checked out at next appt.

[wocket]

I'm of the firm opinion that wanting to be pregnant and wanting another child are two very different things. people give me weird looks when i say it.

[julietv8]

Tomtom, if you find your tummy too heavy and feel you need some support, you can get a tubigrip from the hospital or you can buy a tummy support (I got one at Toys-R-us). It made mine a bit more comfortable.

[Happy2be3]

PCOS sufferer here *raises hand* had SPD before and all throughout pregnancy, diagnosed by xray when my DS was 12 months old (took that long to convince the GP my pelvic pain was still around) with "Osteitis Pubis"

[wocket]

happytobe3, do you have any coping tips?

[Seraphim]

I too have SPD. I'm 21 weeks pregnant now, and this time around it started off at 12 weeks (if not earlier), and only getting worse! At 17 weeks it felt terrible...now i'm just managing it the best ways I know how.

I had it with my first pregnancy from 24 weeks and it was awful. I saw a physio for it, which did nothing! She was no help, said I should wear a support belt and take it easy, no other tips! Glad she was free through the hossy. I wore a support belt which didn't help one bit.....so in the end it sat in the cupboard.

The only thing that helped was keeping my legs together and symmetrical and doing A LOT of sitting/laying down. Moving/walking killed and rolling over in bed, every little movment hurt.

This time round, I know what i'm in for....so taking it very easy. My fanny bone feels like it's split in two! Walking kills etc, I try not to walk for long but I can't sit/lay down 24/7 with a child and life does go on! Driving hurts, getting up etc....you all know the drill. :)

I haven't tried being in a hydro pool, will give that a go and see a Chiro to see if he can help with it.

Oh and I don't have PCOS!!! My hormones are/were very wacky though and I do have thyroid issues.

:hugs: to all the other SPD battlers!!!

Oh...and I heard labours should be shorter for those with SPD- HA!!!! Load of BS that was....mine went for dayyyyyyyyys. What about everyone else?? Oh....hope I didn't scare anyone who hasn't had babies before :( It might not have had anything to do with the SPD. I failed to progress dilation wise. The hot bath i laboured in for 3 hours did wonders though.

[wocket]

Seraphim, you poor thing.

Most physios don't seem to have a clue, even the hydro therapists. it's kinda the reason i started this thread. If they tell you do do something and it hurts stop doing it. i was talking to a friend recently and she didn't say no to some really stupid instructions from a physio. the result was intense pain for days. that said you may get lucky and find a good one.

Seraphim you may be able to qualify for paid child care up to 5 days a week. julietv8 (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/member.php?u=20725) might be able to help you out with more info.

[my-fab5]

I guess this may sound like a stupid question, but do you think sex should be avoided altogether or are there certain positions that are better? :confused:

[wocket]

maybe4 i guess that depends on how much pain you are in?

TMI warning....

I've been told that from behind is better as you're not stretching the muscle so much but nothing was good for me. No sex since july last year! :(

[julietv8]

It was me that had a bad hydro physio, she had me doing stuff that was just stupid which I knew but it was my first session and I guess I thought "well, maybe she knows what she's doing" BAD IDEA. I will just tell her to bugger off this week and just do a bit of floating :laughing:

As for the child care, I'm at the point now where I can't take care of my son very much at all any more :crying: he is very active and I am in too much pain to chase him around, pick him up and be all the things he needs right now. My childcare centre has approved me for special child care benefit with Centrelink for reasons of financial hardship (with all the physio/chiro/acupuncture bills) so we get 13 weeks of free child care 5 days per week. I can re-apply every 13 weeks with medical certificates and letters from physio, I also have a lovely x-ray showing all the erosion between my pelvic bones which helps as well. I was also diagnosed after 10 months with Osteitis Pubis.

As for sex, it doesn't happen very much around here, but I've found on the side with a pillow between my knees is about all I can manage.

I had a really long labour (25 hours) so I guess that theory doesnt fly here either :laughing:

[wocket]

My labour was 12 hours. I think the "easy labour" theory is more about a minimum of tearing rather than speed of delivery or being pain free. My bubby had a very large head and i didn't tear at all, probably due to the relaxin. but I wouldn't clasify the labour as easy at all.

[our little treasures]

Got news for you on the easier labours, they have with wrong!!! I had hard labours and long, I also tore 3rd degree!

Wocket great idea posting it.

With the bed I was lcky I have bars on the bedhead so I just pulled myself over.

Guys I don't think I have PCOS but my 2nd and 3rd pregnancies were far worse than my last. My last I had the pain but not as intense as I did with #2 and #3. # 3 was very hard although we had stairs that got me to my front door.

I have a belt and found that to be wonderful. I remember with #3 just living in hot baths just to ease the pain.

I didn't have people help with my 1 and 2almost 3 yr old. I would make sure they had activities and shut the doors to the kitchen corridoor as I really couldn't get up and watch what they were doing.

So hard to deal with but at least in my case my last pregnancy wasn't as hard.

[Happy2be3]

Wow guys, even though I had SPD through pregnancy with DS and have Osteitis Pubis.. I have symptoms no where near as bad as some of you! I have adjusted the way i do things (as you do) but otherwise i lead a pretty normal life ....

Some things I find help are:

*not pushing the grocery trolley, as when its full it really hurts to push
*not walking around too much at work or around the park
*get hubby to push the pram whenever possible
*putting both legs together when rolling in bed etc etc

I finally now at 20 months post birth am relatively pain free most, but not ALL days.. its the days after I've been working a 10 hour day ( i work on the shop floor in retail) that my pubic bone kills me and aches for around 3 days afterwards:(

Tho... I've only had 1 child and had a very long labor of 24 hours that was soooooo painful and sooo long that its well and truly put me off having any more... good thing really, cuz I know that if i ever did have any more my SPD would be far worse than it is now :no:

Slightly off topic, Has anyone considered or been granted an elective c-section due to their SPD? I have figured that if i ever am brave enough to go back for a 2nd child that I would be better of having a c-section to avoid the further damage to my Osteitis Pubis etc etc..

[Seraphim]

Hey wocket- thanks for letting me know about the childcare option. I've seen you on another forum :) Glad you started talking about SPD!

Julietv8- I'd love to know more about how to apply for the childcare?

Happy2be3- Nope, I wouldn't opt for an elective c/s. I'm going public anyway so i don't think it's an option BUT, I'd rather give it all I have than have a c/s. The pain and lack of movement assoc with a c/s afterwards puts me off. I'm going to stay in SPD friendly positions during labour and be in the bath as long as I can.

I can't remember if I mentioned it, but my husband works away- 3 weeks on, 3 off. This past 3 weeks has been the first stint and MAN has it been hard. Not only is my 4 year old DD more bored as we can't go for big walks or do usual things involving me walking heaps, she misses her Daddy like crazy and is really playing up :( She's been having tantrums where she just runs for it or writhes on the floor etc, and it means I can't run well after her when she runs off or carry her/hug her out of those tantrums. I do it though and end up in more pain.

She never used to do them, so I know it's all anger/sadness over Daddy not being here. Anyway- thinking Childcare might help her out with the boredom part. I've just got her involved in a few things though so it might help.

I'm finding i'm in pain even when sitting down. No position seems to help it go away.

Do you guys think a Chiro or Osteo would be best to see? I think Physio's are crap TBH so won't be going to see one. I might try both to see who helps more. I had a lot of work done by a Chiro/Kineseologist before falling pg on my pelvis instability and he seemed to think SPD wouldn't happen this time round. Gah! He was wrong.

I also realised last time, I never put anything about positions on my last birthing plan (not that it was looked at anyway by the birth centre!!!). In the end I had an epidural as I wasn't dilating and was strapped to the bed. They wore it off on my request so I could push etc, but I was in the worst position!!! On my back, legs apart.....I will most certainly be mentioning SPD this time and what positions are best.

[julietv8]

With the childcare side of things, you get a rebate determined by the amount of income your family earns. For the special benefit due to short term financial hardship, you have to already be in child care (I think?) and they ask on your behalf and then you fill out the paperwork etc. Its for periods of 13 weeks at a time.

If you are a low income earner, the cost of childcare is not too bad even if you do have to pay for it. I think for us it was about $25 per day after the rebate and if both you and your partner work/study you can get back 50% of your out of pocket expenses again each quarter.

I birthed on my side last time and I think I will again.

[wocket]

I don't think they even read my birth plan. in the end it was a moot point because the pain was so bad that the pethadine and gas didn't make a dent. I could barely think let alone breath through it and begged for the epidural from almost the beginning. one it went in i was ok but couldn't move from my back.

Despite being told about the SPD the midwives wanted to push my legs apart and back, which is a HUGE no-no with SPD and they tried to tell me I was stupid for not letting them. luckily my hubby was there to back me up.

Then at the end they put me in stirrups. Again they tried to do it one leg at a time, another bad for SPD and dispite telling them several times to do both legs at the same time they still almost went ahead and did it the wrong way. Again my hubby interveened and did my left leg while they did my right. he hovered around the whole time to ensure my legs wheren't put too far apart.

the same midwives tried telling me off for not walking through the contractions, dispite the fact that prelabour i hadn't been able to walk for about 3 weeks! i really hate mater hospital midwives.

if you don't get stuck with an epidural then I've read that on your side is a great position, with your knees under your chin.

Another one is to have a length of ribbon tied around your knees at the maximum distance that you find comfortable, stops anyone getting your lets further apart.

[julietv8]

I was pretty good without pain relief and gave birth with just gas, I found labouring on a swiss ball with the shower on my crutch was comfortable, also on my knees but leaning well over the back or the bed so I could take a fair bit of weight on my chest and arms, I might try the bath this time too now that they have them at the Mater. My lovely middie kept placing hot packs where I was sore and just let me position myself where I was comfortable. I think having good support people and good midwives makes a big difference.

I found birthing on my side relatively easy despite having such a big baby and no tearing here either.

[beachlover09]

hello ladies I have just found this thread...I am still suffering with pelvic pain 14 months after the birth of my son. It's really starting to get me down. It disturbs my sleep and ruins my attempts at fitness, nothing crazy but just going for walks and gentle things like that. Get's to a point where I'm just getting weaker and not moving doesn't seem to help with the pain anymore - although it did when I was pregnant.
I'm pretty sure picking up my son isn't helping things he weighs 11kg, but it's totally impractical to not do it! To make matters worse I'm on my feet a lot at work too.
I've tried physio when I was pregnant and after a while they said there was nothing they could do for me and that it would just go away after the birth....well 14 months on it's still here and at times just as painful as when I was pregnant.

[julietv8]

Beachlover09, it might be worth asking for an x-ray to see whats going on in there. Have you tried wearing a support belt? Its worth getting checked out so that you don't do permanent damage (like I did) if your pelvis is unstable, even walking will do more damage and cause you pain. Try swimming instead if you want to improve your fitness, it takes the weight off your pelvis and makes exercise a lot more comfortable.

I understand about picking up your son, mine is just over 12kg now and I have found if he needs me to pick him up, I try to sit down and pull him up onto my lap rather than scooping him up off the floor. Obviously that only works if they are walking/crawling though.

[Happy2be3]

Although I do think getting an xray is good.. its not always gunna help :( I had one, diagnosed with Osteitits Pubis.. and theres nothing they can do for it, physio, chyro, nothing helps with this condition... just gotta adjust my lifestyle and the way i do things.:(

[beachlover09]

julietv8 - I wore a support belt when I was pregnant and it helped then. I guess I could go back to it but I was hoping I wouldn't have to!
happy2be3 - I have had some scepticism from my gp about the condition when I was pregnant, so I'm not sure what she would say about an x-ray? No harm trying i guess :)
I'm quite keen to give osteo a go after some good results some friends have told me about. As far as swimming goes I can't actually do it very well, would walking in the water work also??

[julietv8]

Walking backwards in the water is ok, avoid the kicking part of swimming. The idea is just to take the weight off your pelvis and it feels really good.

As for your doctor being sceptical, I've had that too...its annoying. Just demand to be referred, or find a doctor that is a bit sympathetic.

The support belt is a pain in the butt, it does help though :goodvibes:

[Happy2be3]

happy2be3 - I have had some scepticism from my gp about the condition when I was pregnant, so I'm not sure what she would say about an x-ray? No harm trying i guess :)


As I said... it took from my sons birth till he was over 12 months for my doctor to listen to my concerns and finally get an xray done!:hair:

[wocket]

I need to get one done as well. a few nights ago i got up from the couch and crriick went my pelvis, just like when you crack your knuckles. been in a bit more pain since.

the swimming is all about taking the weight off. Avoid water walking as it works your pelvis more than being on land...unless you're doing it very slowly. just float or use a pool noodle for buoyancy and your arms for propulsion.

:)

[Happy2be3]

I need to get one done as well. a few nights ago i got up from the couch and crriick went my pelvis, just like when you crack your knuckles. been in a bit more pain since.

:)

SO know what you mean.. the funny thing is, mine used to crack approx once a month or so BEFORE i had even got pregnant! Wonder what that is all about... predisposition? It still cracks, and sometimes I feel like I need to get it to crack, kinda like the urge to crack knuckles *yuck* sounds gross just talking bout it :laughing:

[TeenyT]

Wocket - thank you so much for this thread and all the great information ladies! I have recently been in so much pain but am awaiting diagnosis of either SPD or Osteitis Pubis due to my long history of playing netball and athletics. They are leaning more towards SPD at this point.

I wouldnt say it was extreme but at 26.5 weeks I am having difficulty walking and the pain is constant. Like someone has kicked you right in the privates. The biggest pain (pardon the pun) is trying to put undies and pants on. Because of the bump I invariably end up twisting one leg to get them on and lordy, the pain! :eek: How do you do this?

Am going to try the swimming this week and see how that goes. Thanks again for all the great advice.

[wocket]

Hi teenyT, i always had trouble putting on undies. In the end i bit the bullet and had to ask husband every time. Humiliating at first, but then again it was that or more pain. sigh. it's horrible, isn't it? have you tried staying in bed for 2 days or so at this point? sounds pretty extreme but you should find that it helps to rest the pain, find out what your baseline is so that you can tell when you've done something silly. you've got it pretty early!

[julietv8]

I have to get DH to do the undies for me, or go commando! It's not worth the pain. I had/have both SPD and Osteitis Pubis, it hurts!

My favourite pool activity is just hanging my arms over a big flotation ring and dangling in the water BLISSSSS! It's getting out that's the hard bit.

I'm about the same way along TeenyT and in loads of pain too. If you need any advice feel free to ask the girls in this thread. :thumbsup:

[wocket]

it's not worth going swimming if you can't get out comfortably, you'll undo all of the hard work. You really need a pool with a wheel chair access ramp that you can gently walk up and down, though towards the end of the pregnancy i was in the wheelchair and the lifeguards would help me. if you do get some crutches 9yes, do! they help in so many ways when the pain to much!) you can also use them to get you up and down the ramp.

[Seraphim]

Hey guys,

I can't find that post someone wrote about a machine in Perth that can help with SPD? Think it was in a hospital in the city? Does anyone remember where the details are?

I've seen an Osteo once in Mt Lawley and going again today so hoping it helps but remembered about that machine and thought I should look more into it.

Hope everyone is managing and not in too much pain!!!

:hugs:

[Hunter's Mum]

I was just wondering - I have been referred to physio and been going weekly for about 4 weeks now. She has given me a support belt to wear as well as like a tubigrip roll thing to try to help.
She has told me that basically my pelvis is sloppy and there is too much movement etc which has caused the pain in my back, groin and making me feel like i have been kicked in the vagina. Each time i have seen her for the last couple of weeks she has told me that one of my pelvis' is tipping backwards due to the muscles etc.
I was just wondering because the physio hasn't actually given me a name for the pain etc that i am having if this sounds like SPD or if what i have is something else.
Thanks

[wocket]

yes, thats sounds like a very accurate description. SPD is basically when the muscle at the front of the pelvis kind of lets go. Normally theres a 2/4mm gap at the front of your pelvis.with SPD the ligament that holds it all together streches and becomes loose while you are pregnant and afterwards. it can be anywhere from 2cm to 14cm (saw a medical journal article about a woman with 14cm gap). The strechness can cause all sorts of damage is you're not careful.

[TeenyT]

Thanks ladies. I am off to Aquamotion in Wanneroo tomorrow as they have a heated pool with ramps!

Have partially solved the pants problem but it only works with undies. I unwound a wire coathanger and straightened it out leaving the hook section. I step into my undies and pick up one of the leg holes with the revised coathanger and lift till I can grab them without crouching. Looks funny but ah! the relief! :laughing: It works with jeans if you aim for the belt loops but anything else, DP has to help.

I mopped the floor yesterday and have found my nemesis. :no: Silly woman - I cant walk today. I dont know whether I'll get 2 full days in bed as I have Miss 3 at home today but am hoping I'll be able to rest as much as possible then spend all day in bed tomorrow when E goes to kindy. I dont know how you ladies cope who have it quite severely.
Seraphim - I'm in Perth too so if you do find out where that machine is and it works, can you let me know too, pretty please? :D

[wocket]

teenyT thats so clever! wish I'd thought of something like that! As for jeans i gave up on those and just wore long skirts and preggy dresses

[Seraphim]

TeenyT, sounds very helpful- that contraption of yours!! I will def let you know once I find where I read about it.....was on a forum!! :)

[Seraphim]

Hey everyone,

Just thought i'd pop in and let you know i've been seeing a Chiro/Kineseologist in Perth who is absolutely magic. The SPD pain has decreased heaps and it feels a lot stronger ''down there''.

If anyone wants his details, PM me. He's in West Perth.

Also- the Osteopath I was seeing was a huge help as well! He's in Mt Lawley.

:) Pregnancy is SO much nicer without so much pain!!

[H&AsMum]

I have had SPD with my first pregnancy and unfortunately as i was informed 2nd time around it has already started earlier than with DS1.
The best thing i ever did with DS1 was start pilates classes 1 on 1 with a physiotherapist- they were fantastic, fitted me with a belt-gave me core strengthening exercises and adjusted them weekly depending on my pain levels, and thus got me a lot further than if i had not done nothing.
I am now 16.5wks and the pain started about 3 weeks ago- not sure how long until i am on crutches again- but really feel i need to start now as looking after DS1 is making it horrible-so much pain- and i was hoping to get as far along in pg without pain.
Some tips from physio are: applying ice to the pubic area and sacral area every night for 20mins regardless of any pain; and 2 hourly when it painful- numbs it.
The Physio i go to all specialise in pregnant women so are fantastic. I also do fit-ball exercises daily at home and go to a pilates class and a spin class once a week. The spin class is so good for the pelvic girdle pain- and they let me self pace. I am yet to start swimming again which helped heaps with the pain too.
I have also stopped lifting DS1, he has to climb into his car seat,, bed etc by himself. I squat instead of bend, i dont stand on one leg-legs are parallel and equal weight bearing and i use a pillow at night between the legs for turning. No lifting > 2kg, and i wear the support belt except when sitting- last time i wore it to bed too at the end which helped when i was turning over. All i need now is an auto car as driving the manual is painfully hard work!!
If you can get to the end of pregnancy with as little pain as possible it will help with the labour - and that is my #1 aim this time around as i couldnt cope with both types of pain last time.

[Happy2be3]

ouch ouch ouch ladies :hugs: Only a sufferer of SPD could possibly know how painful this condition is... so hugs to all of you!

Do any of you find that mere mortals (as in friends, family etc) have no idea what youre talking bout when you say your pubic bone is killing you, and they have never heard of SPD????? Frustrating to say the least!

[julietv8]

I am now 16.5wks and the pain started about 3 weeks ago- not sure how long until i am on crutches again- but really feel i need to start now as looking after DS1 is making it horrible-so much pain- and i was hoping to get as far along in pg without pain.

I ended up putting DS in daycare, its made things a lot easier. The government is paying for 13 weeks of it under "special circumstances", or if you let medicare know you have a disability, they will at least subsidise 50 hours a week.

Happy2be3 yup :yes: no one has any idea what you are going through, because it isn't something you can see on the outside. Even doctors treat me like a hypochondriac, or tell me that it is normal for pregnant women to have pelvic pain :hair:

[RoseKathleen]

I am so glad I found this thread! I am not the only one out there!

I am days away from my due date and I have suddenly developed really bad pubic separation pain in the last week. I have had hip pain for weeks, but since I suffer from the genetic condition of "clicky hips" I just thought it was this! I think it is all inter-related. Funnily enough I was reading a website that says anecdotally there is also a link to breech births - my first child was breech!

Hopefully bubby will decide to come soon, but I am so glad that I read and researched because it looks like you can really damage things in labour and birth if you are not careful. I also thought this would "miraculously" clear up after birth - obviously not!

I am not going to bother with the physio at this late stage of pregnancy - I will probably deliver before I can get an appointment! :laughing: But I hope all other suffers get relief soon! :hugs:

[julietv8]

I would seriously consider getting a physio appointment ASAP, also invest in a pelvic support belt and wear it up to, and after the birth. You can do permanent bone damage if you aren't careful. Make sure your birth team is aware of the issue and no-one pries your legs apart in labour. As for clearing up after the birth...well, yes and no. It can take over a year to get mostly better. :(

On my birth plan, it states that I wish to give birth lying on my side, you may want to consider a "pelvis friendly" birth position.

[sharonnscotty]

Hi all,,,, well so glad this thread is here :yelclap:

I have not slept more than 2hrs at a time for MONTHS now.... my poor DF spent his first night EVER on the sofa! I cry and moan in the night due to the pain in my hips... It does seem to feel a little better if I stand up and let all the cracks out and then stand up SLOWLY (while moaning and wincing at the pain). Once I am up and moving its a little better (just a pinching feeling in the middle of my crotch but not really pain as such). If I stand for too long my right hip just kind of lets go... like collapses for a split second and OMG does that hurt. I cant open my legs tooo far cause its sooo very painful. Most of my worries come at night when trying to sleep or sitting for too long.

And the doctors have just brushed me off and said take panadol - no one seems to think this is much of a problem..... thats prob what makes me even more frustrated. I am having a CS not due to this, so I have my fingers crossed it goes away afterwards - but from your stories I am now skeptical LOL

[julietv8]

Sharonscotty, just to press a point, get yourself a support belt and wear it all the time (except when sitting, they are uncomfortable) It really helps when standing or rolling over in bed.

You can also take codeine when pregnant, I take panadeine forte to sleep some nights.

[ibb]

Wow, I am so happy to have found this thread.

I'm 23 weeks pregnant with my first baby. I was told i had sacro iliac joint pain at 8 weeks when my right top buttock and hip started to ache badly and affect me walking for too long. Have been working with a normal physio since and it has eased somewhat.

4 days ago the uncomfortable pelvic pain i had been coping with got worse. 3 days of on and off pain and 1 night in absolute agony, tears, panadol, heatpack and no relief or sleep, i ended up in maternity for 4 hours and was told i have pelvic girdle pain syndrome.

I was told to see the hospital physio that works with the antenatal classes and see her for the 1st time Monday but they gave me a pelvic support band which i can wear over this weekend.

I've read all your points and can manage not to do most of them except driving and i have a manual so its probably not the best. Can i ask for those who worked, how far you got. I have placenta praevia so won't carry to full term or have a vbirth but was hoping to work as long as i could but if this doesn't get better, i am afraid i won't last much longer.

Sorry for the long post.
Steph

[whizzbang]

:smiliedance:
I have finally found some fellow Sufferers!
I am now 35 Weeks Preg, and finished work at 33 weeks, on the advice of my OB- he basically said if I didnt stop and start to rest, I would end up on crutches for the rest of my pregnancy.
I was a little sad about that... I was looking forward to the last couple of weeks count down!
Oh well!
My pain started at about 13/14 weeks, and when I mentioned it to my Ob, he was very concerned and supportive. Told me to see a physio straight away, otherwise I would do permamant damage.
So I did, I now wear a pelvic support belt, pretty much all day, limit everything I do, and have exercises- however I do these only when I remeber (which is usually when I am in pain).
I have stopped using the vaccum, and trolleys and limit pram use for when I abolutly have to, or DH is there to help.

Thanks for all the tips girls on birthing, as I was starting to get quite worried about that.
Last time, I gave birth I think, onmy side- I can recall DH having to hold one of my legs up!

I am glad my Ob is very supportive of this, and has taken my condition seriously- as from what I hear, some just dismiss it as 'pregnancy pain'.

Is there anything else anyone can suggest for birth... and also afterwards.

Was there anyone that has started strengthening their pelvis right from birth, which is something my physio suggested?

Sleeping at night is getting harder, however I find snuggling up to a body pillow gives me some relief, its just when you have to re-arrange yourself in the middle of the night. To be honest, I find sleeping on the couch during the day a lot more comfortable!!!

Also has this pout anyone off having another child? My husband and I have discussed it, and we said that next time, we will be a little more prepared, and I will give up work alot earlier next time. I dont have a physically demanding job, it will just allow me to be a bit more... home orientated and allow me to rest when I need to- something that can't be done at work!

Thanks everyone for your previous posts, they were a big help!

[TeenyT]

Noone mentioned coughing and sneezing could cause so much pain!!! :hissy: I never knew it would even affect your pelvis until now. Oh well, the pain is bearable.

Just a question for those in the know, did the SPD affect your birth at all? I know it has been mentioned that you need to ask the middies not to pull your legs apart during the pushing phase but does it make the labour in general more painful? Sorry if it has been mentioned already.... :o

[julietv8]

I guess with birth the only real difference for me was that I wasn't as mobile (and will probably be even less so this time) I spent a lot of time in the shower on a ball rather than walking or standing. I gave birth on my side too, any position where your legs are spread is going to hurt, squatting is totally out.

whizzbang, I see a physio to help maintain muscle strength in the support muscles for my pelvis as well as wearing a support belt. I did permanent damage to myself last pregnancy because none of the doctors took the pain seriously until about 12 months after I gave birth and I was sick of being in pain. I went to a chiro and the x-rays showed my pelvis eroding :no:.

[IndigoJ]

How do i know if i have SPD?? When i was pregnant i had trouble moving, my hips hurt like hell and felt like they were rubbing bone on bone with every step i took. When i walked my hip would feel like it popped out of the socket sometimes, which had me almost fall on my knees a few timew. I told my midwife about it, but she brushed it off as normal. I got a hip belt to wear but i couldnt wear it as it cut into my stomach, this all started from about 33wks onwards.

Now 17mths later i am still on medication for what the doctor told me was Tronchenteric Bursitis http://www.physioworks.com.au/CustomContentRetrieve.aspx?ID=42563 I have been taking Mobilis, once a day, whenever my hips start to hurt too much, my doc said i need to be bedbound until it goes away. It does goes away but will come back once i stop the meds and do something too strenuous (grocery shopping leaves me in tears).
After reading this i am convinced it is SPD but because it wasnt treated when i was pregnant has become a lot worse. Is 17mths after birth too long to be having this?? Should i get a second DR opinion?? It has become so bad that i walk different, which has put extra pressure on my lower back, which is swollen most of the time. I also have a permanent curve in my lower spine.

Its all so confusing.

[julietv8]

With SPD, it usually feels very sore right in your groin, you can also get sharp pains down your buttocks and thighs. With me, I didn't actually get treatment until about 12 months after my baby was born. I still had instability issues in my pelvis and was diagnosed with Osteitis Pubis. http://www.physioworks.com.au/_webapp_42591/Osteitis_Pubis

I would certainly see as many doctors as it takes until you find one that takes you seriously. Hydrotherapy was really good, and finding a decent physio can make a lot of difference too.

[whizzbang]

julietv8, we are due the same time- I am due 10/11.
I can't squat now, so I know that position is out already!
I am just so glad the Ob knows about my condiditon and is taking it seriously. So is my DH. I just have to educate him on positions in the mena time!

[Jinglejangles]

I am soooo glad I found this thread! I've been sore since I was 23 weeks when I stupidly pushed something heavy along the floor with my foot. I felt the pain straight away and thought I had just pulled a muscle and would be right in a couple of days... but the pain has been getting worse. I told hubby that it feels like someone has hit my pelvis with a hammer from the inside. I researched SPD and my symptoms match.

Getting comfortable and rolling over in bed at night is the worst. I'm loving all the suggestions you ladies have posted. Now I realise how series this is I'm definitely going to slow down, rest more and take all the advice you've given! The pain is really bad now... I'm dreading what it's going to be like in the next month or two!

Edit: I forgot to mention that I also have PCOS. Definitely makes me wonder if there is a connection!

[Happy2be3]

Hi fellow SPD/Osteitis Pubis sufferers... Well, just a quick update...

My DS is now 2yrs 2 months and I am finally not feeling any pain in the pubic bone region most of the time.. I say most because I still have the usual triggers (just the other day at work I pushed a heavy box sideways with my foot and MAN did i feel the pain , not to mention the familiar "CLICK' sound in my pubic joint!!).. but yeh, generally I can now walk around without pain, do the shopping (though I have to be careful not to walk too far for too long with the trolley or this sets my SPD pain off for several days). Hope everyone else is recovering/coping? :santa: (i know its awfully late, but Merry Xmas!):babydust2::babydust2: Happy New Year!