Hi All

I'm really suffering with SPD this time round, so much so that I am having issues walking. This evening, I was in that much agony that i fell over but caught myself on the kitchen work surface before any damage happened. It's agony walking up hills/stairs and it feels like someone is ripping my legs off at night, when i sleep. No lie here, i have to use 3 puffy pillows to put inbetween my thighs to soften the discomfort.

I have physio in May but was wondering if anyone on here had any helpful advice, bar meds

Had this really really badly, so I really feel for you. Just some random suggestions for you to think about:-

I was given a pelvic support belt but my bumps were always enormous, so it was never much use.
Ask the physio if you are allowed a TENS machine, this can help but never did much for me.
Stop picking up your toddler, stop picking up washing baskets and stop carrying bags of shopping around. In fact, don't pick or carry anything heavier than a kettle of water!!
Use a toddler bathroom step in the kitchen so you can raise one leg when you are standing still for long periods of time.
Be aware that when driving you may not be able to brake, reverse or do a 3 point turn. Your insurer may also declare your insurance invalid should you make a claim!! Happened to one my friends in ante-natal class.
Raise your feet when laying in bed with a pillow or cushion, use a footstool when sitting on the sofa.
Wear big comfy knickers and avoid anything low-slung which lies across your hips, it will really really hurt.
Don't sleep without covers, or pjs, because if you sleep in a draft or chill it will feel a lot worse, try a warm (not hot) water bottle, this may alleviate some discomfort. Some people prefer ice-packs, but it did nothing for me.
Swimming did help, although you need to be really careful if anyone kicking you in the water and extra careful when climbing the steps in and out of the pool.
Try to shower and not bath, just in case you get stuck!!


Sending you hugs, as it is really really horrible.

me
x

Thank you toots xx

I would love to be able to go swimming but I can't find a swimming costume big enough for my bump and boobs now I remb in cyprus, I was swimming 3 times a week in a pool or sea and felt brilliant but out there, I was in trunks and a bikini top. I asked the local pools if I could wear that here, with a vest over or something and they all said no

I'll give the other things a go, it has put me on a downer though, as I can't run around after my boy and I end up doing jack for most of the day at the moment but my bouncy ball is fun lol

Have you tried going on fours for a bit, it takes the weight off your pelvis!

Agree with big bird. I had it with baby tree and spend more time than is probably healthy on all 4's as it was the most comfortable way to be.
Don't lie on the sofa whatever you do! Getting up is a nightmare. I actually found it more comfortable and easier to get up from sitting on my birthing ball.
I know how you feel with regards to not being able to do anything with small Jo though. My poor eldest had a very boring few months at the end of my pregnancy because I literally couldn't do anything. But don't worry you can make it up to him once bubba is born and kids are pretty resiliant. A dvd and some chocolate and cuddles on the dsofa is usually a good compromise x

I'll try all fours, when little jo is alseep, as he will think it's an invite for a 'pony ride' lol

Good thing those, is I spend about 3 days a week around my parents house. Mum was very thoughtful last week and brought an exercise ball for their house, so now I can bounce about in the garden They also have an orthopedic mattress on their spare bed, so when I get that bad, dad will come pick me up and I will spend the night round theirs. I know sounds bad but hell, when I wake in the morning, I feel 100 times better

Hi Jo,

Sounds really rough. In a former life as a physio student I did a placement in Women's Health - and saw a lot of obstetric outpatients. Unfortunately there isn't a lot that can be done. Hopefully your physio will be able to supply you with a support belt, they are usually quite helpful. Play around with different methods of pain relief - hot, cold, TENs should all be fine.

Another tip - for getting in and out of the car - put a plastic bag on the seat, so when you sit you can just swivel in - as opposed to climbing in. Hope that makes sense? If i remember anything else I'll let you know
xxx

Hi Hun

Really feel for you, I had it so bad towards the end I couldn't walk without the aid of crutches.

A couple of things used to relive the pressure for a while, I unfortunately could not swim because it hurt but just standing in water helped for a little while.

Using a ball to bounce on used to be fantastic then I had one of those pregnancy pillows I used to lay that on the bed then lie on my front using the edges of the pillow to support your shoulders and it lifts you sufficiently up enough so that your bambino is not touching the bed... my explanation is probably not the best but hopefully you get the idea.

Also wearing a pregnancy belt support helped for walking in the house.

Really hope it improves for you I have so much sympathy for any one going through this as it is horrible. But definately worth it in the end.

Best wishes x

Thank you Kath, that makes sense

Cheers moomin, the plastic bag in the car actually sounds like a good idea!

I don't think I can offer any advice that anyone hasn't already. I suffered with SPD and sciatica with my first (infact I think there is a big old whinging post from me on here somewhere from all those years ago!). I was on crutches from 24 weeks pregnant and they did help. I did find that having a warm bath in the mornings helped, although it was a nightmare to get in and out of but it seemed to help ease everything up a bit, so I made sure I had a bath every morning before I did anything at all (easy for me to do as I didn't have any others and was on maternity leave from 25 weeks because of it).

I hope the physio helps a bit.

thank you x

So, it seems my SPD is in full force. I'm literally on the tilt of going on crutches, possibly a wheel chair at this rate and i'm not kidding!

Dr has put me on codine but it's not doing any good. Can someone please lend me their pelvis, until june 8th?

You're more than welcome to mine but its buggered from my 2 pregnancies!! I still suffer nearly 2 years on.
Have you got one of those "belts" that holds you all together? I found mine even more uncomfortable that the SPD but apparently it was helping. I also found sitting on the birthing ball really helpful

the belt makes me wanna pee all the time but iit didn't do muchh for me. Birthing ball eases pain but it's at the point where i can't take mini jo out, without someone being there with me now

i feel useless

I know how you feel - hubby was in Afghanistan when I was pregnant with no 2 and no 1 was only just 2 years old, it was difficult not being able to lift her in and out of the bath etc but she understood and managed to walk everywhere and was able to get herself into her carseat etc.

This morning I feel slightly more human I'm hoping that if I limit myself with physical things, that I should be ok over the weekend.

Unfortunately, mini Jo can only do so much, as he still has a massive lack of understanding

can you not get a homehelp for a couple of hrs a day??

Originally Posted by padme

can you not get a homehelp for a couple of hrs a day??

Nope, been told unless I am counted as 'disabled through pain' then I can't. And to get that, I need assesments, which by the time is done and I get the application through, baby will be here.

Although, I do have a homestart rep who comes round for 3hrs once a week for mini Jo and she's offered to come round twice a week for 3hrs a time to do her thing with mini Jo and walk him up to nursery with me, until baby comes. Which is good for both of us.

My dad works from home, barr when he has to travel abroad, so he is lit on call. Unfortunately last week, he was away in Athens, when the worst part hit but mum's boss was very understanding and let her leave work 2hrs early each day, so she could come home, feed the boy and bath him etc.

how old is mini Jo now? It did take me a while with my 1st to get her to climb into her car seat by herself, and understand why she couldn't have a bath every night and that I couldn't pick her up all the time but she did eventually. We used to make up for it by having cuddles on the sofa, and she'd pretty much sleep in my bed every night (hubby and I were based 150 miles from each other at the time!)
Only a month to go - although when you're in that much pain it sounds like forever!