I have just come back from my Physio appointment at the hospital and she said that this is what I have.

She gave me a printout which explains what it is....

What is SPD ?

Pregnancy hormones soften and stretch the ligaments of the body, to allow the pelvic joints to stretch during labour, so that the baby can move through and be born. Symphysis Pubis and/or back pain can occur very early in pregnancy. Pain in pregnancy is common but can be eased with appropriate treatment and advice.

During and after pregnancy, the Symphysis can gap slightly. This can make you feel unsteady and make walking, climbing stairs and turning over in bed feel difficult or impossible.

Not al women suffer from pelvic pain during pregnancy, some have post-natal pain. Some women suffer during and after their pregnancy. Some may experience pelvic pain in their first pregnancy and not in subsequent pegnancies, whie others suffer distressing probems with each baby, with each getting worse in turn.

Symptoms.

Pain is usually felt low down over the Symphysis Pubis joint and may feel tender to touch, Pain also may ne felt in the hips, groin and lower abdomen and can radiate down the inner thighs.

Simple tips to help ease discomfort.

if you know a certain activity causes discomfort, aim to aviod it.

Rest - take the weight of your pelvis.

Try to avoid lifting. if you have a child, try and get them to get onto a stool before carrying them.

sit to do tasks which you would normally do standing i.e ironing, preparing food.

avaoid straddle movements when weight bearing, keep your legs together.

If you are unable to move your legs apart without pain, this should be avoided, do not push through the pain.

If you are painfree it is useful exercise to sit crossed legged.

Lie on your back with yoru knees bent and feet together, gently allow your knees to part as far as they will go, this wil help to keep the inner thigh muscle supple and the joint cartliage in its correct place. do not do this if it causes pain.

Bend your knees and keep legs together when turning in bed.

avaoid breaststroke swimming, be carful during aqua natal classes as the water can mask the strain. If you feel discomfort afterwards avoid it.

Pevic support.
a trochanteric belt can give good support
A double tubigrip bandage around the abdomen which is doubled over again around the symphysis pubis area can give relief from symptoms.
a sacro - iliac support may help lower back pain.

Avoid twisting movements

gentle excersice can build up the muscle which supports the pelvic joints and should be done regularly.

If the pain is severe, the use of elbow crutches will help take the weight off teh pelvis and aid mobility.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Thought this might be useful to somebody else. she gave me the big bandage thing to put round my belly and pelvis. I can tell you it's not attractive, but reeeeally comfy !!

anyone got any more advice?

Hiya hun, I'm the same as you. I had my first physio appointment on Monday.

Mine didn't mention or give me a belt, so I'm going to ask her at my next appointment in a fortnight. If she won't give me one, I'll just go an buy one because at the moment when I walk it's like my waistline to my pelvic region are stuck in cement, just a really horrible heavy feeling.

I've been signed off work too because I'm on my feet all day from 9-5, so there is no way I can stand/walk for that long ~ I struggle just being on my feet for an hour!

THANK YOU!!!!!
I have been suffering with these symptoms for three weeks now, and i thought it was normal, obviously it isn't.
This is might be a stupid question........ but what should i do now?

I have it and had it with my first. It's bad and by the end of my 1st preg I could hardley walk!!! They gave me exercises to do and a belt to wear and if it gets really bad I have to go back for more physio and crutches.

If yu hav a aquanatal class nearby it's great for your back it really eases the pain! Gd luck! x

I spoke to my midwife and she referred me to the physio people at the hospital, they called me and arranged an appointment.

Yeah she gave me this massive tubigrip bandage which you fold over and then put on like a skirt but pull it up higher. It's really comfy. Defo reccomend it. Ive finnished work for my maternity leave early, I wont be going back after,I did reeeay long hours, 7 - 6.30 nannying 2 year old twins. and just couldnt hack it anymore.

Hope you fee better once you get your bandage / belt thing.

thanks for posting this. you saw my other post, i have this too and it is v bad the pain. cheers x

I've got chronic SPD. I couldn't walk so a week ago I was given crutches and they've made a huge difference, so if you're in a lot of pain I would recommend them. Still got to be careful you don't do too much.

To K8Y, the belt they gave you isn't the specific SPD belt, so if you find your pain is still bad I would go back and ask for the proper belt. It has a hard panel at back and 3 straps that hold it in place. Think the tubigrip's ok if you're not in too much pain.

I had my first physio yesterday and they found my hip bone had moved out of place, she worked on it and I can already feel the difference now

Oh, and try cold compresses if you're really sore between your legs!

Ah thanks for that, Yeah the tubigrip seemed ok at first but it wriggles down all the time, and i'm constantly yanking it back to its proper place, also I dont think Baby James likes it because he seems to be kicking non stop all day when I am wearing it. It squashes me all in a bit I think. I did have a look on ebay for a belt thing, maybe worth the investment. Hope yours feels better with the physio. She said that all my bits were all in line when she wiggled about, I'm so glad I wore nice pants to the appointment as she stood behind me staring at my lower back ! how embarrassing if I had horrible pants on !!