Hi Laura,

Definitely get your mw to refer you to physio, usually they try the belt option first, I was given 2 belts that are worn in 2 different places around lower back, hips and bum. If this doesn't help they will provide you with crutches. I'm there now, will be given crutches as I can literally not walk anymore, and Doc doesn't seem to share my vision of returning to work at all as it won't get better until after the birth.

Hope you are lucky with the belts, certainly more convenient than crutches.

All the best!

Lyn (30+2)

Hi,

I'm pretty sure I've got SPD - shooting, burning pains when I turn in bed, stand on one leg, walk etc. I also have pain down my inner thinghs and in my lower back. Is it worth going to the GP or should I just see a physio? I've found one in my area who specialises in pregnancy. Does anyone know what physios can actually do for it? I'm in a lot of pain at the moment and I hate not being active!

Any advice greatly appreciated,

Laura x

hi im 24 weeks and this is my second preg but my first with spd. i had to have a c section with my first as he was breech so ive never been in labour, and in already in a lot of pain with the spd. any addvice as im soooooo scard. x

water is ok but it can fool you into thinking you can open your legs further than you can which can lead to further problems.

i found giving birth on my knees the best position this is my third time with spd now and i plan on giving birth like that again at home.

my last one was in hospital and i was shoved onto my back and put into stirrups which was totally unecessary and meant the spd did not go after having her.

mara x (34+4wks no.5)

I have heard the best way to give birth if you have spd to help is a water birth as gravity helps and so does the warmth of the water.. I have been told i have spd with this pregnancy but i have no chance of a water birth I would say any position you can get in that doesnt hurt would be good.. but personally if i could i would have a water birth.. heard its amazing and helps alot with spd pain.. hth a little???

Hi there,

I am new on here and dont know if it is the right place to post this.  I have SPD and just going into my 17 week this week.  Can anyone point me in the right direction for help and support for this.  This is my first pregnancy and the discomfort is not makeing it enjoyable.

I am at the stage where i am clenching teeth at times as the pain is that bad.  Is there anything stronger than parectomol that they can prescribe for the pain. I have been given a support belt but finding it uncomfortable at the moment, due to the bump not being that big yet. So cant get all three straps underneath.

I hope someone can help with this.

Hey I had spd with my ds and it went away straight after I had him. I gave birth lying on my left side and spent most of the labour on my knees with the top end of the bed straight up and me leaning on that (does that makes sense? So the bed was in a "L" shape...)

I also had to give up work four weeks earlier than planned and had a 7 year old to look after so I know what you're going through. You have to just take it easy and don't do too much otherwise the hospital might admit you - well, that's what I got threatened with! hehe xx

I have SPD too although only a mild case really. I'm also interested to hear that it is possible to have a normal delivery so I am keeping my fingers crossed!

SPD is caused by the release of too much hormone relaxin - and once you have given birth your hormone levels do gradually return to their pre-pregnancy state (apart from the breastfeeding ones of course but they are not linked to SPD) and once your body has got rid of all the hormones in theory the SPD should go. This can take some months so be aware of that.

Hope you feel okay at the moment.

Went for physio last week and they have me on crutches now too....does help some as I can share the weight between each sides instead of putting it all on my right side.

She said next week we will go through some safe and helpful labouring positions....Im hoping that even with the spd I can stay active...this didnt happen last time and my birth was terrible...baby got stuck and had shoulder dystotia and all in all was a terrible and scary time.

They said that if I had another baby I would need to either have a C section or come in early to be induced so with this in mind I would like to stay as active as possible without having my legs fall off!!!

Its great on here you guys are wonderful and I feel so much better now I have all your experiences and support to call upon.

FIngers crossed the spd goes away after birth!

xxx

im afraid for me with my last baby the spd didnt go but that was due to me being in hospital and them forcing me into stirrups while they turned her. i still had the spd when i fell pg with this baby so it has been worse this time around.

while i was on all fours with her though it was briliant though and yes propping the bed up to full and haning off the back of it helped.

i am opting for another homebirth my 3rd was a hoomebirth and i delivered at the side of my bed on my knees wasnt easy for mw to catch baby but i was comfy so i didnt care lol i had no pain relief with her and i really think the position helped. i will be trying something similar this time.

I has SPD from 22 weeks and ended up on crutches. My doctor was great and gave me MEPTID - this is the same stuff that epidurals are made of and does offer quite a lot of pain relief. I was told that it would go after the birth but baby had twisted my pelvis from sitting so low and this has caused other complications (my little man is 2 1/2 now) so I'm still in pain. Don't be disheartened though - many people that i've spoken to say it went straight after the birth - just take things very carefully for as long as you can after. Good luck x

Thanks for the advice girls...did think all fours etc was the better option.

Yeah the lack of pain relief options when you suffer with SPD is miserable...this is my second child and I had nothing like this the first time round so am finding it hard.

Have given up work 5wks early (Holiday entitlement) and so I have my 4yr old to look after but am taking it easy.

Just hope that the labour can still be an active one as the first time around I was on my back and had a terrible time.

WIll the SPD go away after the birth?I am hoping that a couple weeks after I will be better again?

xxxx

I will be on all fours hanging off the headboard. I have spd too and I used this position in my last birth and it was much better than laying on the bed x

I am actually looking forward to labour because it means getting pain relief other than paracetomal!

On your knees hanging over the back of the bed might be worth a try

I had SPD, but had the added problem of a neck injury.

I laboured and gave birth propped up on pillows, so not completely on my back. Also had a pillow under my bum.

Was going to have a waterbirth, but my DD decided she didn't want to hang around.

on all fours and on my knees worked well for me i would reccomend those positions for sure.

Have been diagnosed with SPD and altho I can open my legs a fair way I am just after some advice from anyone else who has had this and had an active birth.

Am thinking of doing some 'all fours' positions etc...anyone got any advice?

xxx