Does this sound like SPD?

[Madratlady]

I'm 22 weeks pregnant and for the last month or so I've found that my hips are stiff and painful when I stand up and walk, although it usually goes away when I've been moving around for a few minutes. I also get pain between my legs, it almost feels like a bruised kind of pain and it's very uncomfortable sitting on the loo.

Does this sound like SPD to you?

[Excited2meetmyprincess]

Yep. Sounds just like mine! I was diagnosed 6 weeks ago and now 30 weeks and having physio and on codeine for pain x

[Madratlady]

Damn. Since it goes away after a little while when I get up and move around then I can carry on as normal so far. I hope it doesn't get much worse, I was planning on working till 38 weeks.

What can I do to help it?

Is it pretty common to get SPD during pregnancy? I see it mentioned a lot on here.

[Sammi1986]

I'd like to know more on this too, I have arthritis and hip pain anyway so I'm not sure how I'd know the difference!

[3MenAndMe]

I developed this damn SPD during my 3rd pregnancy at 14 weeks and it is still here(my LO is 12 weeks old)...
By 25 weeks I was practically bed ridden for most of the day, had to send DH to buy croutches, he was doing all housework etc.
Try to rest as much as possible, I was using those grainy pads that you heat up inthe microwave, basically putting it between my legs when sitting/lying in bed
Tried osteopathy but it was useless
MW referred me to physio at 26 weeks but got appointment just when went to labour at 38 weeks...
Bought one of those professional pregnancy belts in Mothercare but again useless, baby didn't like it ;)
Try to get some Tubi Grip from physio or just wrap your hips with pashmina/shawl

[KalevalaForMePlease]

I had this with my first pregnancy, and can feel it coming back now I'm at 17 weeks. Saw a physio last week and keeping it at bay is the best thing. Basic stuff like keeping knees together, avoiding lots of heavy lifting, using ice packs on the groin area to reduce the pain. Lots of useful links on here if you do a search. Good luck!

[EmB1715]

Watching with interest! I think I might have it too. Bad pelvic pain lower back which makes sleep almost impossible, bruised feeling down below that feels worse when going from sitting to standing or lifting a leg. I was planning to work until 38 weeks too :( fingers crossed for us all!

[sazzle82]

I had it from about 17 weeks. Managed to get physio fairly early on which made a big difference (providing I stuck to the exercises she gave me). Work also got me a back support and foot rest, and i bought a pregnancy pillow which I've slept with between my knees ever since (40 weeks now).

I've been lucky in that even at its worst I was still mobile. I worked up to 38 weeks and was careful to follow the physio advice as much as possible (that's not to say I always did) and I think that, along with early physio sessions has made all the difference.

[McBaby]

I think every case of SPD is slightly different with different triggers for the pain. I couldn't sit ( or stand or, lie) for longer than about 30 mins so I couldn't work after 26 weeks as I was in too much pain.

Make sure you don't do things on 1 leg. So swivel and bit both legs down to get out of cat and bed. Sit durn to get dressed/undressed put shoes on and off. So jeep your knees together.

If it hurts don't do it. Once it flares up its very hard to get it to settle. It can also hurt in evening and you need to work out what has aggravated it in the day.

[Fakebook]

Yes it sounds like pgp/SPD. I went for a physiotherapy class last Friday and was given some exercises to prevent it. It's all to do with stretching and posture. Women with SPD tend to bend their back when walking, you need to tuck your stomach in and walk.

I've been doing the exercises since Friday and feel much better already, not completely healed, but the pain is more bearable.

You can ask your midwife to refer you for physiotherapy.

[Fakebook]

Oh and we were also told that if you know you're going to have a day where you may end up with pain at the end, like Walking or sitting for a long time, then take paracetamol an hour before, as it works better BEFORE pain starts. This is why they give women who have c-sections Paracetemol before surgery, so she feels less pain after.

[Madratlady]

I have a busy job and need to work as long as possible for financial reasons. It's been so painful today paracetamol has helped a bit though.

[Applepiesky]

Sorry to hijack but I think I may have this coming...
For about 3 weeks now I have noticed a bit of an ache in my right groin but not pain as such, more of a pulled muscle kind of feeling.
I noticed it hasn't gone away and now I have a feeling like a bruised pelvic bone right at the top where my pubic hair is if that makes sense? Feels like pressure, but not necessarily pain. I get a few twinges when I stand up from being sat down but that's pretty much it. I'm just worried that I may have it, and if I have, is it only going to get worse? :-( I'm 26+4 by the way.

[candr]

I have it too. Feels like I have been kicked in crotch. Mainly hurts when I try to turn over in bed. They are going to do a hip/pelvic exam to see what my knees apart limit is as apparently you can cause damage during child birth if having anasthetic as you cant feel the pain and may move legs to wide. Sleep with pillow between legs and warm hot water bottle can help. Really hope it doesn't make child birth more painful as am expecting very quick labor with little chance of more than gas and air.

[CrispyFB]

Yep. Mine kicks in start of second trimester and goes downhill from there.. and almost right on cue (I'm 12w4d today) it started.

I worked fulltime with DC1 and I remember it taking ten minutes to reach the toilet, and only a minute to get back as my joints loosened up!

The "secret" is to keep getting up every so often before you seize up but that is much easier said than done.

If you're not self-employed, you could get sick pay until 36 weeks when it becomes unbearable, but obviously it depends on how generous your employer's sick pay is. I hung on until 36w3d, gave birth a few days later..!

[TheDuckSaysMoo]

I had terrible SPD with dc1, which extended for a year after the birth due to bad birthing position. With dc2 I knew the signs and went to physio as soon as the pain started. A belt and exercises helped immensely and it was gone within a few weeks. I chose to birth standing up then on all fours with dc2 which meant my hips didn't get too stretched.

[CrispyFB]

I should add that osteopaths and chiros can be pretty good for most people too, and some people are okay with the support belts, although they never worked for me. The exercises can help too.

[Madratlady]

My whole pelvis hurts :( It's problematic at work and I have at least 12 more weeks to go (I refuse to stop before 36 weeks).

I told the doctor at the hospital after my scan. She clearly wasn't listening and said that back pain was a normal part of pregnancy and to take paracetamol and have warm baths. She then wrote in my notes that I was complaining of lower back pain. There's nothing wrong with my back.

I saw a nice junior doctor t my local doctor's surgery though and he's referring me to the obstetric physic.

It feels like everyone thinks I'm exaggerating though.

[Fakebook]

Madratlady, at my physiotherapy session a few weeks ago we were given a leaflet with exercises and it was a written in bold writing that "don't push through the pain. It is a real problem."

It's quite unfair how your doctors are ignoring your pain.

I've been doing my exercises for about 3 weeks now and my pain has almost all gone although it does flare up when I haven't done them. Sometimes I realise how easy it is for women without this pain.

If you'd like I could message you the three exercises in detail and you do them a couple of times a day for 30 secs on each side. It's all about loosening up the muscles that have seized up.

[Madratlady]

Fakebook that might be helpful, I can feel that some muscles have tightened up. The dr at the surgery was nice but new to gp work (I've worked with him so I know) and clearly not sure about pregnancy stuff. I don't know how long the physio referral will take.

Paracetamol does absolutely nothing but I don't want to take anything stronger.

[SaucyJack]

What's the difference (if there is one at all) between SPD/PGP and "normal" stiff, achy hips?

Am 18+4 and already shuffle sideways because my right hip doesn't work.

[Fakebook]

I've just messaged you MadratLady.

[QuietNinjaTardis]

Fakebook would you message me those exercises too please?
Madratlady I have been seeng an osteopath for my hip and back pain and SPd has just kicked in big time with pain at the front so I'm hoping my session on Thursday will help. She's already made it so I can breathe easier as was suffering from breathlessness. I'd recommend an osteopath to help as I didn't do anything when pregnant with my first and it was excruciating.

[Fakebook]

Just messaged you too QuietNinja.

[Catsize]

Got it at 12wks with first, had to give up work early bed and wheelchair ridden by 32wks, physio for a year afterwards.
This time, started at six weeks, and generally even worse. Now 20wks.
I will be giving up work earlier than I want to, despite being self-employed (so no sick/maternity leave) as I would rather take out a loan to pay back later than damage myself long-term.
Have invested in pricey memory foam mattress, which reduces turning and provides better support (I remember turning from left to right took 32 manoeuvres when heavily pregnant first time).
Only recently found out my joints are hypermobile, which makes the whole thing worse. Worth checking for after pregnancy.
It is pretty grim. Good luck OP.