What have I done to myself?? Is it SPD?

[TheCountessOlenska]

Second pregnancy, no problems like this first time. Have had slight pain in my hips for last month or so, more on one side. I wondered if it was sciatica? I felt a bit stiff when walking and it was a bit sore in bed.

I only work 2 shifts a week and I was off ill last week so not been for 2 weeks. Did a busy shift today and by the end of the day I was in agony and felt really stiff when walking home. Still in discomfort now.

Is this going to get worse? I am on my feet all day in this job, a bit worried now about how long I can go on for (am only 25 weeks) - I won't get any maternity pay when I finish so was planning on carrying on up to due date!

[BuntyCollocks]

Sounds like spd. Get yourself to the doctor for a referral to a chiro or physio ASAP as, trust me, you want to nip it in the bud. I wish I had!

[Gintonic]

Agree with bunty, see your gp ASAP and get referred to a physio. Lots of people get it and many just have a few aches, but some end up on crutches etc so best to get looked at by the experts.

You can also find osteopaths who specialise in treating it, though the NHS won't pay for it unfortunately. But worth thinking about if you are one of the unlucky ones who gets it really bad.

[Gintonic]

If it is SPD, could you ask your work to give you lighter duties, desk work etc so that you can keep working longer? And more breaks so you can sit/lie down?

[ohfunnyface]

I had this for the last three weeks (26 now) paid to see osteopath and it was amazing. Going again next week. Will then probably leave it for a while - £35 a session. Was bliss though- it hurt but good hurt and hips felt so much better and he gave really good advice that has worked.

[TheCountessOlenska]

Thanks very much ladies.

I have a midwife appointment next week so I will ask then.

I could maybe stretch to £35 for a couple of sessions if that was worth it for you funnyface, where did you get the osteopath recommendation from?

Yes work could potentially get me a chair to sit behind the tills. It does seem to be a lot worse if I'm on my feet for hours.

[Gentleness]

Sounds like spd and I totally echo getting a referral to a physio for good advice about how to reduce it's impact. I used what I thought was logic to deal with spd in my second pregnancy and made it loads worse. Once I had good advice I managed fine with care.

[Gentleness]

Where I am, the physio referral came through really fast too.

[TheCountessOlenska]

Thanks Gentleness

[alm12]

This sounds exactly like what happened with me and I got referred to a physio - it was SPD. Working long hours on a shop floor standing made it a lot worse, since the physio gave me a letter to say I needed to sit down or at least be able to go and rest every now and then I've been much better (now 28 weeks) so go as soon as you can! If it gets really bad they also recommend a serola belt which the physio should have to let you try on different sizes.
Hope you feel better soon!

[emeraldgirl1]

Yep, think it sounds liek SPD (or is it always called Pelvic Girdle Pain these days instead?)

Mine kicked in at week 20 after a long-ish and very brisk walk - agonising stiffness and pain in hips overnight that night, so much so that I was practically hauling my legs around the flat at 3 in the morning just to be sure that I could still actually walk...

Second all the reccs to get physio asap - if there's any way you can afford a private session then maybe consider that as you may have a wait for NHS physio. But maybe some areas are better than mine (London) at getting you a quick NHS appt.

Also - don't know how practical this is - but rest OR try to get off your feet. Certainly walk less, and slower. Too much/ too fast walking is what kicks off my hip pain worse than anything else.

Mattress topper too for your bed...? Extra cushioning seems to help overnight.

Sorry you're suffering :( x

[Emsyboo]

I had spd from 22 weeks till about 28 weeks really bad but got easier after that until I got really big again, apparently thisis quite common as your ligaments settle down until the end of the last trimester.

Physios can't help that much but they can advise, they gave me a support belt that I have been using this pregnancy and a few exercises but mine wasn't bad enough to need crutches. Best tell your midwife they can refer you to a physio for this but may take some time I only saw the midwife when it started getting easier but the support belt came in handy especially as it came back around 34 weeks.

Good luck x x