Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) Chatter #1

:hug: one of the hardest things for me was how much weight I put on from being immobile. I blew up like a balloon and it was really hard because I am so body conscious to see myself get so out of shape. I also remember trying to cross the road once and having a driver beep their horn for me to hurry up but I couldn't and all I wanted was to get back to my car so I could be at the same speed as everyone else. My silver lining is that I am very kind to slow people crossing the road now and always give them a smile and a wave so they know they can take their time if they need to. As rouge says you need both physical and emotional support and you will get through this, but please don't push yourself and cut back on absolutely everything you can.

The only time I was pain free was during hydrotherapy. I would drive & hobble in on crutches, then slowly change and hobble out to the pool. I did exercises to help but mostly I just floated and enjoyed the lack of pain. It was 40min of bliss, especially as I needed help getting in & out of the bath at home.

I also had physio and think one made it worse, even though she specialised in pelvic issues. Osteo was a life saver. Next tume, I'll be trying chiro as well.

I used SRC pregnancy shorts. They're exxy though, about $180 i think.

I once had a 87 year old helping me into a car after I overdid it. That was tough for me to accept but in the end, I learnt if you cant walk, you take whatever help you can get.

I second the pillow under the belly and between the legs. To get out of bed I learnt to wriggle to the edge, then drop my legs down and push up with my elbow from my side. I also felt that when the pain was really bad to the point I couldn't sit down, I would lean over my fit ball and rotate my hips, in whichever way was comfortable.

I didn't put weight on from being immobile because I also had severe reflux, but I did lose muscle mass. I remember that after I had my DS that I looked at my butt, and was a bit upset that it was saggy. Gosh this thread does bring back memories, I don't know how you do it with a little one. Don't know how I'll go with my next pg.

Sent from HTC wildfire using TAPATALK, so forgive any spelling errors its a small keyboard.

DH stayed home from work today :( I hardly slept last night, and this morning when I got up, my hip popped so loudly and is grinding now, and the same happened low down and at the front...that's where the symphysis pubis is, I believe? Anyway, I'm icing a lot, DH is doing all the lifting for DD today so I'll see how I fair by the end of the day.

:( Aw PZ, I feel for you, I really know what thats like. Plus I had other kids as well, which made it even more hard. I can't remember what I did to get through, I just had no choice I suppose! I slept with a pillow between my knees though, and I supported my hips for every turn I made in bed. Like, I literally held my hips together when rolling over, sometimes I woke DH up and asked him to push his big fat whale of a wife over LOL!!

Um, I also changed nappies on the floor, and I walked slowly, I found my pain eased up after the first 30 seconds or so of incredible pain, so I held onto the walls and took it really slow and then I was right.

This won't be of any consolation for you, but my pelvis still grinds and pops - and my baby is 17 months old! LOL My mum heard my hip pop the other day when she was here and I think she was quite surprised lol

I had osteo fortnightly in my last pregnancy, and weekly by last few weeks. I was only on crutches once, unlike my first pg.
Have you looked into the Pelvic Instability Association? They meet monthly in Malvern, but have a website and Facebook page.
Also, get a doc to write a supporting letter for you to take to the council to get some home help. They will try the line about permanent or long term disability, and if you insist about having a young child and no transport or other means of home help they will likely do something, at least until bubs is born. You don't drive, so a disabled parking permit won't be necessary (unless your DH has a car, then you'll want one so that he doesn't have to carry you into places!) - GP can help you organise that, as well as your council office (you'll need both - GP first).
And make an appointment with your hospital's psychologist. If you've booked into the hospy as a back up plan then you should be able to avail of this. Otherwise, the MCHN should be able to refer you to someone, or your GP. Dealing with sudden incapacity is a helluva thing to come to terms with. I still don't cope well with it. I'm useless and COLD here if DP's not here to split firewood - that's a sure fire way to get my pelvis angry with me!

Thank you all so much for your experiences and advice. All taken well on board! Midwife today suggested acupuncture to treat it, has anyone had experience with acupuncture and SPD? I'm not sure if that's what I will do. I'm still more chiro or physio or osteo oriented :dunno:

I've had acupuncture for SPD. It didn't really help.

I had acupuncture too, it didn't help at all. Maybe in mild cases it would be more effective?

Yeah that's what I figured. She said it *can* help with pain etc. honestly I don't really have the patience (or money) to be trying things that may or may not work.

how did you go yesterday with your Dh taking the day off work?

It was great. I was able to rest when I needed to, I iced multiple times a day, DH did the manual stuff with DD, like lifting, nappy changes, the housework I find difficult alone (putting the washing in the machine, picking up toys etc) and I was able to focus on DD in the ways I need to. The icing was great, just having time to sit down and rest my body for a few minutes, I rarely get a chance to stop moving when it's just me. Too bad he can't be here all the time lol

Just so you know. The grinding and crunching means you've been unbalanced. So try and remember symmetry is the key. I had really bad grinding before I saw the physio and with her exercises and treatment it practically disappeared till birth. So don't sit on your legs or a leg get a stool if you have to and pop your feet on that. I used a kiddy step stool at times. Try and avoid stairs. And try and keep your your pelvis symmetrical. You will go through periods where it won't be as bad and then it will get worse. Also keep an eye on our tailbone. The amount of pressure I got on my tailbone from PSD was as excruciating as the PSD itself. But the sleeping positions and how you maintain it is imperative. I'm not going to tell you the pain will go. But you will get used to it to a degree, but the grinding etc you can help with. And make sure when you get a brace it's fitted correctly. As there are "one size fits all" braces and they are bollocks you need to be fitted and measured.

Talked to the local chiro clinic today...they do cracking adjustments. Says it's safe for pregnancy etc, but it doesn't feel right for me. Thoughts?

I've done a lot of research on SPd. There are mixed opinions on it. Research out of the uk shows that it can be really successful IF you get one who specialises in SPD. There aren't many in Australia. I also have hyper mobility for which adjustments can be dangerous. So I've never been to a chiro as I can't bear the idea of taking the risk of being worse off than I am already. So do a bit of reading and weigh up the pros and cons for you. Got a bounce back from the physio I recommended a few weeks ago but it's Fitwise in east melb and I saw Clare. They have a website. Hope that helps.

Thanks Fionas. DD saw an SOT chiro when she was little, they never did traditional cracking adjustments and I like the care, so the conventional cracking chiro deal makes me feel nervous. They don't specialise in pregnancy or SPD but say they can treat it. So not too sure about them but my gut is saying no at this point.

I am going to a chiro and I have hyper mobility. You just need to make sure they aren't the kind that tries to force a movement. Mines not if I don't crack I don't ( I see mine for an unexplained paresthesia issue) but some try to force it, those are the ones you want to avoid.
I wouldn't see a chiro for spd unless they specialized in pregnancy or it was one I trusted. My friend had spd during pregnancy and got some relief from her chiro.

I wouldn't see a chiro about SPD unless they specialised in it PZ. Shame you don't live in G Town or I could recommend a great one.