SPD Pain Remedies?

Hi ladies,

anyone who has or had SPD, what did you do to help ease the pain?

deep heat creams, hot water bottles, baths...does any of it really help?

thanks xx

and I think a physio can prescribe one so you don't have to buy it?

It is similar, but have a chat to your MW and get a referral to a physio - they usually give you the belt for free I used the belt, plus sat down a lot, and tried to minimise walking (I finished work at 28 weeks though). Also, keep your legs together!! That sounds weird, but things like keeping your legs together and swinging your whole body round when you get in and out of the car, and not standing on one leg (to shave your legs, for example) can also help minimise the pain. Working your ab muscles can also help, as it helps to relieve some of the pressure on your pelvis.

Also.....water!!! Aquarobics (there are usually specific maternity classes, or there are here anyway) is fantastic, for SPD and also for any swelling, as it takes the pressure off everything and improves circulation in your limbs.

Can you tell I tried a lot of things???

I''ve got SPD for the second time,this time it started at 12 weeks.
I've been seeing an osteopath reguarly which does help some.I also use a wheat bag and a support belt.Dont think you are meant to use deep heat etc when pregnant.
Roll in and out of bed,sit when getting dressed and undressed,put a plastic bag on the seat of your car,makes getting in and out of car easier.Try not to lift much or get down on the floor.
I hope it eases for you.One good thing is that when bubs #1 arrived I had no more pain after that.

I was wondering how long it takes to go away after baby is born... anybody have any insight?

sweetpea wrote: lurking You could try a good massgae therapist i have heard that they help. Also just as an aside natures nurse has a rub with arnica etc that can be used during pregnancy check out their website naturesnurse.co.nz

Hmm yeah I have been getting massages and rubs are all good but to be perfectly honest the pain is right in the pubic joint and I don't want any massage therapist getting in there! Nor would I be that happy about using a rub in that area

I should say - I had a good inch of separation between my pelvis, at it's worst.

I had a chiropractor throughout my pg and totally helped for SPD for me

well its confirmed, its SPD, getting a refferral to physio and will be able to hire the smileybelt from there...oh well at least im getting the help now

I found this, its a bit of a read, but there are some interesting parts

TREATMENT OF SPD

Always consult a doctor if in need of any medication to aid with the pain associated with SPD or any other ailment while pregnant. General practitioners and other health care professionals will know which painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs are suitable for your particular stage of pregnancy. If SPD has started after the birth, or continued from pregnancy you should still see a doctor if you are breastfeeding and in need of medication. Whilst there is no way to actually tighten the affected ligaments when pregnant, the relaxin hormone ceases to be produced after the birth. This should lead to the return of a less erratic pelvic state in the majority of cases.

There are other treatment methods available as well as painkilling drugs. Such treatments include TENS (Transcutaneous Electronic Nerve Stimulation) and pelvic supports. These may be among the types of treatments suggested if you are referred to a physiotherapist.
There are also steps you can take yourself to help with getting around and avoiding painful situations. Such measures include;
• Getting into a car by sitting on the seat first, and then lifting your legs inside. Reverse this procedure for getting out.
• Getting dressed while sitting on a chair rather than standing.
• Always having the knees together firmly when turning over in bed.
• Rest as much as possible. Take the body’s weight off the pelvis when you can. Try to have some daily bed rest.
• Where possible, sit down to do daily tasks like food preparation.
• Avoid lifting.
• Avoid the breaststroke if you go swimming.
• Try to avoid twisting the upper body. Think ahead, turn and face the thing you are doing.
• Avoid straddling positions e.g. sit on a bidet as you would on a toilet.
• Be aware of your body and the way it responds to certain activities. Try to avoid the activities that result in pain. These may be anything from walking long distances to hovering or pushing supermarket trolleys. Avoid sudden jerky movements.
• For those whose pain when climbing stairs is too excruciating to bear, it may well be advisable to go up and down stairs using your bottom, and lifting yourself up or down each stair with your hands. This is fairly easy on the downward journey, but quite difficult going up. Bearing this in mind, it would be best to make sure that you only needed to make one trip up and down the stairs each day, and plan for rest periods (and possibly assistance if this can be safely achieved) on the upward trip.
• Pelvic floor exercises may help in relieving pelvic pain. These exercises (also called Kegel exercises) are designed to help strengthen the hammock-like muscles which support the pelvic organs. Better control over these muscles could help take some of the weight bearing responsibility away from the pelvic girdle and ligaments. Consult a health care professional about pelvic floor exercises with regard to your particular circumstances.

HOW DOES SPD EFFECT MY BIRTH

If you experience SPD it may be a good idea to take account of this in any birth plan you draw up. This could mention such things as;
• Your latest measured pain free gap. The distance that the knees can be parted, while lying down with the knees bent, without experiencing pain. This should be measured for you by your birthing partner close to your due date. Midwives and doctors will then be aware of this and take it into account.
• Any preferred positions for delivery. There are alternative positions to lying on your back during labour, which can offer some relief from pelvic pain. Lying on your side with the upper leg supported by someone is apparently, the best way to minimize strain on the back and pelvis. Another position good for easing pain is a kneeling position with your torso fairly upright over several pillows, beanbags or such. This will allow for gravity to assist in delivery. It is best to do whatever is the most comfortable for you. Squatting positions are best avoided, and the lithotomy position (the on your back, knees bent and raised above the hips, thighs apart position often involving stirrups), while convenient for obstetricians, is not the best position for the pregnant woman and can exacerbate pelvic pain. It is known to, among other things, put pressure on the coccyx, and is thought to be a potential cause of pelvic pain that presents itself postnatally. There are similar issues regarding the use of stirrups if any post partum stitching is required.
• Drugs and pain relief you require. In a birth plan you can specify the type of pain relief you do and do not want. In the case of epidurals and SPD sufferers, special care should be taken by midwives, birthing partners etc to support the back, and observe the restrictions of the pain free gap. While you are under the epidural’s effects you won’t be able to feel the pain.
• Assisted delivery. You could specify a ventouse delivery (uses a suction cap on the baby’s head) instead of forceps, as this can be performed laterally.

Birthing pools can help with pain management, but your particular condition needs to be assessed by the midwife team. Some women with SPD experience difficulty getting in and out of birthing pools.

Some women feel that they cannot face the idea of adding to their pelvic pain by having a vaginal birth, and wish to opt for a caesarean. This should be very carefully discussed with health care professionals, as it is a major operation with its own drawbacks and issues. The condition of SPD does no harm to the baby itself. It is purely a matter of the mother’s pelvic pain.