Anyone had SPD before and found anything that helped?

oliviasmummy

I am almost 23 weeks pregnant (25 by my dates) and suffering badly with SPD (synphosis pubis dysfunction) it is so painful its untrue. I suffered with this in my last pregnancy but not till about 30weeks. had this now for approx 3weeks and its getting worse by the day. taking paracetemol at the moment for the pain which isnt helping at all co-codemol make me sick and im already suffering with sickness so cant take these as its pointless. I have doing the recommended taking one step at a time (using lift at work) keeping knees together etc. I have physio on thursday im hoping to get some relief from this im just struggling at work. I work on the phones at a desk all day and can not get comfy im in so much pain I could cry. doesnt matter how I sit what position chair is in, footrest etc not helping my mum keeps telling me to get signed off work and rest as these weeks are important to the baby. I jsut feel like im letting them down and they will start being funny with me. I jsut keep getting told once you go for physio and get supprot belt you will be fine, but what if im not?

Anyone had any experience, advice and opinions welcome

Bananabelly

I am a physio - the belt should help a lot. They will give you lots of advice on things to do as well. If all that fails, some people use crutches to help. The main thing is, whatever happens it usually settles down almost completely once you give birth, so you just need some temporary measures to help (and that may mean stopping work earlier than you thought).

danielle1977

Hi
I teach hypnobirthing and come in contact with lots of pregnant women, whenever I meet someone with SPD I always refer them to a chiropractor who seems to work wonders, not too sure exactly what he does but they all say it helps-better than physio. I don't know if all chiropractors are trained to work with pregnant women but have a call round your area and ask if they can help and get prices.
Hoe this helps

Tisha30

Hi,

I used a gym ball to sit on whilst at work and at home. Getting up from a normal chair was excruciating so at least I could 'roll off' one of them and alleviate some of the pain! Hope that helps x

*Louise*

Ohh you have my utmost sympathy on this one - I had it with DS2 and it was excruciating.

I never found a miracle cure, I only managed to alleviate the pain to some extent. The belt's not going to cure you instantly but it really does help, along with physio.

I personally didn't think my physio was all that great - a few back strengthening excercises, I could learn that off the internet myself.

Make sure when getting dressed you sit to put trousers etc on...basically avoid EVER standing on one leg, even for a few seconds. At night, sleep with a pillow between your knees - I got one of those V shaped maternity ones and it was money well spent.

Finally - please don't feel guilty if you have to get signed off work sooner, it is a genuine aiment and one which (as you know) causes daily discomfort. Why make yourself suffer?

Only real consolation I can offer is that it WILL disappear as soon as you have given birth.....;)

sephrenia

I had this with DS and I had both belt and crutches although the crutches felt awkward as anything!

The only way I found to relieve the worst of the symptoms was to have a bath as hot as a I could stand it and then, as soon as I got out of the bath, rubbed in deep heat or used a form of deep heat spray (can't remember the name sorry! I think it might have been Radion or Radox B, something like that).

Sorry I couldn't be of more help but I do sympathise!

xx

freebiequennie

Mine was in my back over my right hip and down my right leg from 15-28wks - I am now 30+5 days and it has started to ease odd twinge but thats all. I saw a physio who did some heat treatment and gave me some excercises, seen on NHS, attended one group session (was given appointment within wk of referral) and was decided I needed to 1:1 session and got that 2wks later saw twice and then given open appointment, she did say at 28wks it would either get alot worse or begin to get better.

Hope I havent jinxed myself now!!

skiTTish

Had this very severely with my second son ,I was actually a test case in the early days and was closely monitored and the docs and physios were all very surprised just how stretched the cartilage was and how sever the problem was .
I used the belt or bump sling and it helped a little ,I also had to use crutches for the last months of my pregnancy ,I refused a wheelchair as I was worried about clots . Physio helped a lil but to be honest it is just something you have to ride ,my god its painful but there is an end in sight.
Wanna know a reaaalllly good Plus to having SPD ?
Labour is a piece of cake ,talk about shelling peas

skiTTish

Oh and a good tip for labour with SPD is do it on all fours (ooer )if you can ,much more comfortable and uber quick too ,I was half an hour

winnie81

You really have my sympathy I suffered with SPD with 3 out of 4 pregnacys and its awful

I tried physiotherapy, belts etc etc nothing helped other than lots of rest, very gentle movements and using my crutches & wheelchair - sorry I can't help. I really hope it doesn't get any worse for you and again you have my sympathy x

ab7167

Another vote for chiropractic treatment here. I had it badly in my second pregnancy and my lovely chiropractor didn't keep me pain free, but did keep me mobile without crutches to the end. And managed to treat my chronic heartburn into the bargain! I did the same as you, worried about work being off with me, kept working through the pain - and ended up signed off with high blood pressure instead. Your responsibility is to you and your baby, work must come second. At one point I was having trouble getting to the loo and back, simply not on, and in the end work were glad to see the back of me. Have you got any holiday to use to give yourself a break?