Urgh your post just reminded me on how much I do not ever want to be pregnant again PZ!!!! I swear, any time I get clucky I'm coming back here and reading all the painful posts....
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Urgh your post just reminded me on how much I do not ever want to be pregnant again PZ!!!! I swear, any time I get clucky I'm coming back here and reading all the painful posts....
Me too Mrs NB. Me too...
Hahaha! Glad to be of service!
I just reread through the thread. I forgot how bad the pain was. Btw, post 87 is full of useful tips from yours truly.
I never did try chiro for it. I'm going to give that a go when I get some money.
I found the tubigrip stocking didn't do anything, the serola belt was much better.
Sent from HTC wildfire using TAPATALK, so forgive any spelling errors its a small keyboard.
Not sure if it's been mentioned lately, but there's the Pelvic Instability Association you can go to for great information and latest research. It's going through a name change but you should still be able to google it and look it up on Facebook.
It's been nearly 3 years since my last child was born and I still need to see the osteo to put me back into alignment. I came off my horse the other week landing on my hip (actually, my whole left side!) - as soon as the bruising subsided I went back to the osteo, because it felt like a concertina effect and I wasn't taking any chances with my pelvis.
I always thought that it would go away, but I still have to keep an eye on things. Specially at the gym.
sent from the Hellmouth.
I was doing fine until this week (well, apart from my fall induced osteo visit!), and now I've got that ligament pulling again. Between DD waking and needing resettling (and I fall asleep in the most uncomfortable positions) and helping her ride her bike I'm hurting again :( My bareback ride on my horse today, though, was quite nice and didn't feel aggravating. Yet.
For anyone whose SPD got to the point of not being able to walk, lie down, do anything really, how did you cope? Yesterday and today I've noticed things have taken a serious turn. I can barely walk, I just hobble. When I lie of sit for more than a few minutes, my hips and groin are in terrible pain. If I even dare to attempt to roll over at night, it's agony. I lifted DD off the change table before and almost fell straight down, it felt like my entire pelvis just gave way. I can't afford to go back to see the osteo unfortunately, so I'm going to book into my local hospital and try and see the physio there, and I have a midwife appointment tomorrow.
Did anyone's partners have to take time off work to help you? I'm finding it hard to walk, let alone do things for a 14 month old. How did you manage?
I had crutches to get around the house, and used the pram to stabilise me if I went outdoors. I drove everywhere and did not go to the shops unless a) it was urgent b) DH couldn't go for me and c) I could get a parent and child park. I used ice A LOT and didn't pick up or carry my children because that just made everything worse. I changed nappies on the floor so I didn't have to lift up to a change table and baths, etc, waited until DH was home.
I can't get onto the floor, and if I can, it's so incredibly painful trying to get up. I feel kind of screwed really; don't have a car, so can't drive for any appointments etc I have, an DD is too little to not lift. I try not to but there's only so much she understands. Thanks Trav.
Do you know how to do the yoga move Down Dog? That's how I still get up from the floor.
Hobbling is normal. Get ice packs and rotate them. Don't roll over in bed, roll under. Get a piece of cheap silk about 1m square and put it under your hips. It will help you slip in and out of bed.
Where should I ice? I feel like it should be pretty much my vagina area, inner thighs, lower back and hips? Yay or nay? I do roll under but still find it painful. The silk is a great idea. I think I know downward dog. The only thing I can manage is rolling to my knees, and slowly getting up backwards from there.
Stick an ice pack between your legs as much as you can.
To get up from the ground, start on hands and knees. Push back onto your feet and walk your hands back. Keep your knees together at all times. Bend them and lift up. Grab onto the wall or something and lift up, if you can't push up.
From my experience, the pain never goes away. You just learn to manage it. The hardest part, in some ways, is the emotional side of things. The sooner you come to terms with the new limitations, the better, as you're less likely to overdo it.
I agree with Tash, ice between your legs and also on your hips. As for getting used to your limitations, I remember bawling my eyes out the first time I had to refuse to lift DS1 when I was pregnant with DS2 but the fact was I couldn't do it and he very quickly learnt that he had to walk himself. There was only 15 months between DS1 and DS2 so he was really little but we made up for it by him crawling onto meon the couch and having big cuddles once we reached our destination. I won't lie though, I was housebound unless I drove, and I didn't drive often.
When I was pregnant with the twins I took a taxi to the hospital and I had my crutches with me and the taxi driver made a comment about women just making a big fuss about pregnancy and I tore strips off him about how hard it was to be unable to lift my children, and it really was, but I had to stop because there was no way to walk when holding a child, I needed to hold onto the wall for support instead.
Have you made an appointment with a physiotherapist?
I haven't Trav. I did see an osteo but cannot afford to go back (thread in 5000+), so I'm going to book into my local hospy and access their physio services there. That's what my midwife recommended.
I was about to say I can't see a post in 5000+ because I haven't posted that much, then I realised I have :lol:
My physio helped me so much, and most hospitals have really good services available. I hope you get some relief xx
If you can get some ultrasound therapy it helped me a lot.
I couldn't do crutches I found it made it worse for me. I was taped a few times when the brace wasn't enough. But mostly moving correctly, limiting stairs, and getting dressed whilst sitting. All those things helped. And do keep seeing physio post birth and if you can do some Pilates to strengthen after. I also slept with a pillow between my legs and used a pregnancy pillow to support my stomach to keep my straight.
In terms of how I coped? I was housebound for six months while pregnant. I couldn't walk further than the end of my street (around 50 metres). At 7 weeks pregnant, my physio said it was that bad I would be in a wheelchair very soon. So I did whatever I could to avoid that and in my case it meant seriously restricting any walking. Don't listen to the people who say you have to push through. There are some around and they seriously don't know what they're talking about. I had to give up work @ 14 weeks because I couldn't walk to and from the train station to/from work.
In terms of looking after my DD - well, she was a bit older (2.5 years when we were housebound) but she's a very physical girl. Being housebound almost killed her as well as me. I didn't ask DP to take time off work - I probably should have. To save my sanity, I put DD into childcare two days a week (I was also having to keep the house pristine at the time to sell it so I spent a lot of time on a chair on casters trying to pick things up off the floor). I could never lift DD up to a change table anyway or play on the floor with her as I had lingering SPD issues from her birth. So I'd always changed her on the couch. Use pull-ups too if these will make things easier.
I'm not sure what your birth was like with DD1 but please familiarise yourself with the Pelvic Instability Association's guidelines on labour/positions etc.
In terms of icing - it's really important and believe me, it really works. It's most important to do it last thing at night but also try to do it during the day. As others have said, basically put it where it hurts. I put it between my legs so around the vaginal area. My SPD was really severe so I was told I should be doing it every two hours. I couldn't really manage that but I did, on average, do it three times per day. Also sleep with a pillow between your knees. That will keep your hips in alignment.
Have you got a support belt? In my first pregnancy, I tried it a few times and didn't think it worked. Then in my second pregnancy, the physio showed me how to use it properly and that was a godsend.
:hug: fionas I was bedridden a lot of both pregnancy's too. And like you I could barely walk past the front door. My first pregnancy it came on about 20 something weeks. My second it was early. About 15 weeks. The treatment I had the first time around was brutal and I'm pretty sure made things worse. But second time around I saw a fantastic physio who specialised in women's problems, especially pregnancy and PSD. She was great. I counted down the days to our sessions. And I even had to take panadeine at one point. And I felt so guilty. It really is sucky. But with physical and emotional support you can get through it.
: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.
I would be really wary of any cracking - really wary.
I had acupuncture and swear by it. You need to find a practitioner who specialises in women's health. I know a great one in Upwey, near the train station (it's an uphill walk, and if you take it slowly you can stop for a drink at the health food shop, then stop in at Voski Von Mueller - I introduced Lucy to this world of beautiful clothing - and have a rest on the sumptuous couch, before heading into Christine at Upwey Complete Beauty - also a TCM practice - for an hour of care and attention!). I would hobble in there, and as I made my way back down the road I would realise I was no longer hobbling. If you can find someone like her, or call her to ask who she can recommend close to you, then you may as well take the chance that it will work.
When I go again for anothery I'm pulling out all stops - shorts, hip braces, dusting off the crutches, the works. Oh, and ordering an electric log splitter.
I went to a hospital physio before DS and I was in tears for days. She just didn't understand the condition. I hope they've come a long way in 6 years.
I've started seeing an osteo weekly. Can't wait for next appointment. Things have taken a bad turn. Had a fall yesterday and something has changed, whatever it is, the pain in my groin is excruciating. I need crutches. Under the elbow ones I reckon. I hate saying that but I do, I need them. I friend has offered me a wheelchair which I would totally use around the house, but it couldn't fit. Seriously considering it for out of the house, if only it didn't make my arms ache so much afterwards. Feeling ****ing miserable. I'm struggling to make any movements tonight that don't hurt.