Coping with SPD

One particularly unremarkable day, when I was about 14 weeks pregnant, I started to climb the stairs and felt a weird twinge at the top of my thighs. It felt a lot like a pulled muscle. I couldn't for the life of me think what I'd done to pull a muscle there (except for the obvious of course!) so I shrugged it off but over the next few weeks it got worse and worse, especially at night when I tried to turn over. 

Naturally I turned to Dr Google - usually when I do this I'm diagnosed with some sort of terminal illness within a few minutes but this time it brought up something that fit my symptoms perfectly - SPD.

SPD is symphysis pubis dysfunction, now known as PGP (pelvic girdle pain) and you can look it up for the medical ins and outs but it causes a world of pain to pregnant ladies. I was actually amazed at how many people suffer from it when I went online to seek advice and having survived it all through my pregnancy here's my top tips for getting through it... 

1. REST 

I know, easy for me to say right? But seriously, lift NOTHING stop walking long distances, stop sitting with your legs crossed and take it easy. I did this and my pain got no worse until I was 28 weeks pregnant, that's 14 almost pain free weeks that are worth their weight in gold. Unfortunately once I hit this point I thought I was ok so started lifting and cleaning etc. again. BIG mistake my pain worsened faster than I thought possible and once it gets worse there is no going back my friends! I'd like to say that everyone will fuss round you and help you out but nobody understands SPD until they've had it - sorry but I'd rather be upfront with you now than have your bubble burst later down the line! 

2. SEE A PHYSIO 

This can be easier said than done. I saw the consultant who referred me to my gp who referred me to the midwife who referred me to nobody! Eventually I saw a different consultant who referred me to a physio within a week. I have incredibly bad luck but most people can be referred with just one phone call.

SPD DOES NOT GET BETTER ON ITS OWN. If you are suffering push until you get that referral.

The physio can sometimes help with some exercises but the most important piece of kit is the physio belt. This nifty piece of kit lifts the weight of your bump off your pelvis. Whilst not taking the pain completely it will possibly help you get round sainsburys on a Saturday afternoon. 

3. WEAR THE BELT

You can't wear the belt sitting down so I tended to only put it on for little trips to the shops where it would often fall off in the car. I hated putting it on in the car park for fear of looking daft but my husband would force me. Trust me, in the long run putting a big white ugly belt on under your dress in the car park is a small price to pay to be able to get down more than one aisle. 

4. USE PAIN RELIEF

Don't be afraid to take paracetamol, your GP can prescribe you other options if you're in real pain but I didn't take paracetamol as often as I should have. There's nothing wrong with taking pain relief if you need it, so don't be overly brave about it! 

Way further down the line, there are more serious options, crutches, wheelchairs and even induction if the pain is so severe. But if you take it easy from day one, the odds are you wont need to go down that path. You might feel bad not doing the housework but you'll be physically unable to do it if your pain gets worse!