SPD/PGP Support thread

Thought I'd start this thread for support for all of us suffering, for those who aren't sure & have to ask questions, & general info.

I will add to this as time goes on.

I suffered from this quite badly last pg, and found it hard to cope, mainly for fear of how will it affect birth, how it progresses etc, so that it maybe helpful for us all to share experiences. Also what helps, what to avoid etc. & symptoms gor those unsure if they have it or not.

Symtoms vary but can include:

Clicking of hips
Pain in lower back region
Pain on/around pubic bone area
Pain in hips
Ache/ pain radiating down inner thighs

Difficulty rolling over in bed.
Pain when laying on back

Pain often worse on walking or if sitting in one position for too long.

Things to help:
Keep knees together getting in & out of car. Be lady like!
Sit down when getting dressed/ undressed.
When going upstairs go up one stair @ a time.
If u already have a small child or toddler don't carry them on your hip.
Pelvic floor exercises & lots of them.

If u think u have symptoms of spd go see GP for referal to physio for diagnosis & treatment/ management. The sooner you are seen the better.

I have now been on crutches since seeing the physio last week which has helped enormously , but you really do have to know your limitations & stick to them (easier said than done believe me!).

If anyone has any q's or would like to add then please feel free.

Must add it doesn't stop u having a normal birth but you must ensure you don't spread legs too far or give birth with feet on mw/partners hips as this can cause the pelvis bone to split & cause complications.

hi i have this was diagnosed few weeks ago, now on crutches and have a wheel chair for my bad days, i have been told i should be able to have a normal birth, just hope so !! i've got it a lot worse this pregnancy and a lot sooner than last time.

I was hoping there would be a page on here somewhere for this.

I've not had it before but I have several of the symptoms and have suspected it for a while.I have pain up my inner thighs and around my hip bone. I have pressure on my pubic bone, I can't sit for too long and when I have been sitting I have trouble getting up and walking afterwards.

I always thought my pelvic floor muscles were quite good although not as good as previous, but I can still happilly tighten them in three or four stages (kinda starting at urethra and going up if that makes sense?) I can still stop my urine cimpletly if I need to although I know this is not good for you so don't worry I don't make a habbit of it. How does this help if it's all around the hips etc?

Also I suspect I've got it because it's so close to my last baby and so y ligaments didn't have time to recover. So can I stop it getting worse or is it destined too regarldess of excercises (I mean I know you have to do them) I'm worried cos this year I'm doing a course and as it is pushed for time and having to do it a bit qucker than most cos it finishes after baby due, and I'm concerned it'll stop my progress as I have to go on placement at a school.

I do have a seven and a half month old as you can see, I don't hold her on my hip too often but I know I do.

Anyway am so glad you popped this up,will def be keeping an eye out. thank you

After reading what people have been told by there physio, how to sit and do stuff... it wasnt helping me at all.
Iv just stuck to doing what id normally do, the pain is alot less for some reason.

mummy0704, I've had it a lot earlier this time too, mine didn't kick in bad last time till 26 weeks.

They've not suggested me a wheelchair yet. Could sure have done with it on Sunday tho. They were talking of hiring one last time plus a walking frame.

Fx'd for a normal birth for us. I think i'm looking @ induction again @ 37 weeks if things don't improve.

Shiningstar it sounds like you have the early signs. Go & see u r gp for physio referal, they can give you support belts to try & stop things getting worse. I think the pelvis floor exs help to keep pelvis stabilised. Ikwym tho 'cos mine is pretty good, but my spd isn't.
Although pain is in hip area it is actually the pelvic bones that are misaligned/ ligaments too relaxed.

If you get to see physio hopefully they can do somethnig to try & stop it getting worse.

Can you believe the hassle I had I went to one doctor told him the problem all he said was do you want a sick note, (they seem to try and give me a sick n ote everytime I'm in there!) I said no a referral to physio, he said see the other doc he does refferrals so I had to speak to the other doc at another app in the eve and then when I did speak to him the doc had never heard of SPD and said I cldn't have physio whilst pregnant and wait until after I'd had the baby!

DER!

So when I saw consultant yesterday she said I have to ask my mw for a refferal and if she can't do it then I have to wait until after my 20 week scan and book an app with consultant and then ask for a referral is it is still not been done. It' a right palava! It's ridiculous!

Thats ridiculous hun. My consultant is excellent it helps I think his wife had it during pg too. Unfortunately he works 3 weeks then someone else works 3 weeks so I'm hoping if I have to see someone else they are as helpful. If not I'm gonna kick off big time.

My GP referred me both times to physio no probs. When conslutant to get physio referral, my mw said it had to be done by the GP. different areas must be different.

Hope u get something sorted soon.

Hi,

I suspect I may have SPD too. It came on suddenly this week at 34 weeks. Fortunately I had my 34 week hospital appointment and mentioned it to the doctor who has referred me to a Physiotherapist. I have my doubts that I'll get any help as it's quite late in the day, but I'd take any help available at the minute!

I don't have all the symptoms listed, but a fair few:-

Constant ache/throbbing in pelvic/groin region and deep betwen my legs. Radiates to myback when sitting.

Excruciating pain when getting up to walk after periods of sitting. Have to hold onto furniture to straighten up and actually lean on the furniture to move around. Worse if I stand on one leg for any reason, then I get a severe shooting pain all the way down my leg, which is so bad I cry out.

Waddling and bent double like an old lady. Standing up straight seems to make it worse.

A feeling like someone is trying to prise my pubic bone apart.

I haven't attempted stairs yet as I live in a bungalow, so can't comment on that.

Sleeping is no problem as I sleep propped completely upright on my back and never need to turn on my side during the night. Infact, being on my back in bed is the only time I get relief (sounds bad...Ooooh er!)

This is my third pregnancy and the first time I have experienced this. I was very fit and active before conceiving this time, so all this pain has come as a bit of a shock and is quite depressing as my activities are now restricted! Even if the nesting instinct kicks in soon, there's not much I'll be able to do about it, unless I can direct someone else to clean whilst I sit in my armchair!

Sorry to whinge, it's great to have found this thread as sometimes it's as much therapy to vent, rather than popping a paracetamol as suggested by the doctor.


XXX

Just saying hello

My midwife referred me to a physiotherapist who diagnosed SPD just beore I was 23 weeks. The physiotherapist was great who went through a few exercises to do and how to sit, stand etc.

xx