SPD in pregnancy??

Welshlassie

I'm 27 weeks pregnant and since about 12 weeks have had mild hip pain. I've had dodgy knees and hips since a teenager, but they haven't bothered me in the last few years (5 years).

As I said at around 12 weeks I started to get uncomfortable hips, especially when lying down or walked over uneven ground (not even starting to show at this point). The pain is right in my hip joint. I know about relaxin making your ligaments more subtle so you can expand for the birth and put it down to that. I mentioned it to the MW at 16 weeks who agreed it was probably that.

However the last few days I have been getting more and more pain, last night after being quite active for a few hours I sat down for the evening and half an hours later when I tried to get up had extreme shooting pains through both hips, was very stiff and didn't think I was going to be able to walk. It eased enough for me to do what I needed. I went to bed (with my body pillow, which has eased it somewhat in the past) and woke up this morning, but the pain is still there, not quite so intense, but definately there.

My GP isn't open today so can't get an appointment, but I'm due to see the MW next Thursday anyway so was going to mention it then. Does it sound like SPD or is it something else?? What else can I do to ease it??

donny_osmonds_mad_fan

sounds like it although it could be ligament pain, the doctor will no doubt say round ligament pain...they like that term lol

spd is typically very very extreme pains in your neither regions a really bad chronic ache. I suffered 3 out of 4 pregnancies, my last one i ended up on crutches from 15 weeks, it really isnt fun.

do u have extreme pain turning over in bed?

here is a great board for help and advice, you need to see a physio that specialises in this, ask your midwife most hospitals should have one. support belt may be a good idea till then, you can buy them in lots of places like mother care etc i believe

http://boards.babycentre.co.uk/n/pfx/forum.aspx?_requestid=3300648&webtag=bcUKSPD

Welshlassie

I certainly find turning in bed v uncomfortable, worse when I'm in a normal bed (we have a water bed). I went out for a walk at lunch time and found that just walking is now very sore.

Thanks for your advice otherwise, I'll check out that website.

code-a-holic

Hi,
Does sound along the lines of SPD.
I suffered with SPD with my 2nd pregnancy. It began at 12 weeks. I had crutches given to me after being refered to physio. Was given a belt as well - but that didnt work for me. The Spd progressed to the point where i was induced 2 weeks early as i was in too much pain and couldnt walk! Thats probably the worst it can get. Mine wasnt helped by the fact i had a bad whiplash injury anyway which meant things escalated and effected my whole spine. The SPD kind of masks the labour pain i found! Unlucky/lucky i fell pregnant very soon after the birth (dont know how we even managed the deed!) I had no chance to recover from SPD and 11 mths down the road i had my daughter. The pregnancy was awful - I fractured my pelvis too. Its now a year and a half since then and im still the same.
Im not scaremongering - honest!! I found that the doctors/midwives dont advise on it enough - i resorted to the internet for help! There are lots of things people advise that can help. keeping knees together when getting on/off chairs....swimming.....gentle exercise....keeping posture correct. Some women find that when the babies head engages the pain goes never to be felt again - sometimes immediately after birth.
On your birth plan note SPD in bold! Midwives tend to expect you to get in to all kinds of positions - make sure they now what you can and cant do. Helps if your birthing partner knows too so they can back you up.
Giving birth while standing or on your knees may help things too.
I hope things go well for you. If you need a chat about SPD or anything im happy to try and help!

donny_osmonds_mad_fan

I never felt it during labour it was mad lol, suffered chronically all through and indeed it felt better the next day. Especially after the last one I was positively running around I felt so good however then my milk came in and i was twice as bad as ever.

Breastfeeding can prolong the healing process due to the hormones, certainly didnt start to get better till i gave it up.

I hav e a very displaced pelvis, been off work since october now due to the fact my coccyx is so low down and uncomfy chairs at work have damaged it and cant get medical help at all, almost about to resort to going private.

Becles

I've had it, and it's a nightmare.

Until you are seen by your midwife, you can safely take a normal dose of paracetamol for the pain. Soaking in a warm bath or sitting on a hot water bottle helped me too.

Wedge a pillow between your legs at night to keep your pelvis straight.

Avoid any jerky movements and try not to open your legs wide - eg: get in and out the car like a lady by twisting your whole body round so both legs move in/out of the car at the same time. Go up and down stairs with both feet on each stair.

Try to rest up as much as you can too which is easier said than done.

Hope you feel better soon.

calx

WelshLassie,
I had it too. With both my pregnancies. It was much better second time round as I knew what to do right from the start. It is painful and a real !!!!!!, but it can be manageable.
I was on crutches from 16 weeks first time round, second time I kept off them until about 22 weeks. Both times I had c-sections 2-3 weeks early because of the pain.
Get your GP to refer you to the hospital Womens Physiotherapist. There are exercises you can do to help strengthen your pelvis etc. I found that if I did my exercise religiously then the pain was much more managable.
Definately listen to the advice about not parting your legs and keeping your weight evenly spread, and don't twist, eg pulling shopping trolley.
I had a support belt to wear and I found it really helpful although tricky to get in the right position. Sitting on one of those gym balls can help take the strain off too.

There is a great support group thing athttp://www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk

Go swimming as much as you can.

As you get bigger the pain may get worse, but rest assured as soon as you give birth it is much better. Not gone, but so much better it is a real relief. You'll get out of bed and the pain will be so reduced
My youngest is now 15 months and I am 99% free of pelvis problems. I get no day to day pain, but if I twist funny or sit awkwardly for a long time then I can get pain but a trip to my hospital physio puts me right.

If you want someone to chat things through then I am more than happy to help.
Take care
hugs
calx

Miss_Cinnabon

I had this with my last pregnancy, i wasnt allowed to hoover or do anything that involved me bending down, was told the correct way to get in-out of car, walking was really painful for me and was given painkillers and a belt to wear.

I still get hip pain now and aagin, hope u get something that will help u.

Kyle

inkie

Seeing as your midwifery appointment is not whilst next week - give her a ring, we are happy to speak to people/see people in between appointments - thats what we are here for. Get some professional advice.

JillD_2

I am 20 weeks with my 3rd and have started getting similar pains in my hips and inside leg. Its pretty sore already and I imagine, from past experience with joint pain and stiffness in general during pregnancy, going to get worse. I had a read up on SPD on the net last night and I am thinking I have a mild version - I suppose like with everything there are varying degrees of it. I also have some sciatic type pain down the left hand side of my bum and leg.

It doesnt help that I have to lift my 4 year old for the toilet last thing at night before I go to bed, and that he was sick today and had to be caried up and down stairs! I won't be doing too much of that, far too sore.

I have the same thing as you, getting off the sofa last thing is very hard, last night my husband had to pull me up What a wreck I am!

violetmva

I'm 31 weeks and was given a belt to wear since week 28 of my pregnancy when the pain was really unbearable (had it a month or so prior to my mw appointment). I find the belt really helpfull but i am still concern about having a natural birth due to my damaged back (work related -been a care assistant for more than 7 years), had to go for an X-ray but found out i was pregnant. I read a few posts in another tread that i can damage my pelvis even more during labour - never been more scared in my life.