Symphysis pubic dysfunction

mle929 · February 2013

Anyone else have SPD? My Dr. said that a maternity support belt wouldn't help. She suggested that I use a heating pad which offers some relief but I work FT as a first grade teacher, so I can use a heating pad until night time. I'm trying to sit as much as possible, but that's tough when I'm trying to keep up with 6 and 7 year olds at school and take care of my own 2 year old at home.

Does anyone have any other suggestions about reducing the pain?

meglew · February 2013

I have been going to physical therapy for the last couple of weeks and it is helping a bit. I have also been wearing the belt and have found that, for me at least, it does provide some relief. The physical therapist has been showing me different stretches to help strengthen muscles and she has done adjustments that help as well. My OB recommended it and I am so glad I went!

guilletskichuk · February 2013

I've been dealing with this for over three weeks now. I had the following treatments suggested to me: using a maternity support belt (which I've heard varying opinions on), ice, heat, Tylenol, chiropractic care, physiotherapy, and yoga poses. I haven't tried all of them. Ice and Tylenol do not help me. Heat does help. I don't like chiropractors as I've had bad experiences with them in the past. The thing that helps the most is for me to rest (sit). I completely understand how difficult it is to work as a teacher through this pain as I teach grade 6...and I have not had to be as active as you would have to be as a grade 1 teacher. I'm on sick leave now and resting a lot. It just hurts too much to stand and walk. Since I have a lot of sick days available to me, I was able to do this. That may not be an option for you though.

One thing that has helped to reduce pain when turning over in bed (which is THE WORST!) and getting in and out of vehicles is to keep my knees together as much as possible.

I hope you can find some relief! I've heard from many people that the pain doesn't get better until the baby arrives. :S

mle929 · February 2013

milkergirl1:
I wonder why she said the maternity support belt wouldn't help, because it really helped me. Luckily, my symptoms only lasted for about 3 weeks, with the occasional flair up now.

What kind did you buy?

Abeja1226 · February 2013

guilletskichuk:
I've been dealing with this for over three weeks now. I had the following treatments suggested to me: using a maternity support belt (which I've heard varying opinions on), ice, heat, Tylenol, chiropractic care, physiotherapy, and yoga poses. I haven't tried all of them. Ice and Tylenol do not help me. Heat does help. I don't like chiropractors as I've had bad experiences with them in the past. The thing that helps the most is for me to rest (sit). I completely understand how difficult it is to work as a teacher through this pain as I teach grade 6...and I have not had to be as active as you would have to be as a grade 1 teacher. I'm on sick leave now and resting a lot. It just hurts too much to stand and walk. Since I have a lot of sick days available to me, I was able to do this. That may not be an option for you though.
One thing that has helped to reduce pain when turning over in bed (which is THE WORST!) and getting in and out of vehicles is to keep my knees together as much as possible.
I hope you can find some relief! I've heard from many people that the pain doesn't get better until the baby arrives. :S

This is the worst for me too!!! Or any time I lift one leg (such as putting on shoes and socks and/or getting dressed). Nothing has helped my pain

guilletskichuk · February 2013

Abeja1226:
This is the worst for me too!!! Or any time I lift one leg (such as putting on shoes and socks and/or getting dressed). Nothing has helped my pain

Have you tried sitting down to get dressed? That's the only way I can get socks, undies, and pants on now. It still hurts but not nearly as bad.

One of the things that hurt the most (in the first few days...before turning over in bed etc. got really bad) was taking off my hikers! Pulling my feet out of them just KILLED! It was so weird. Now I have to loosen my laces a ton more so that my feet slip right out. Of course, I have to bend over to do that. And THAT'S really uncomfortable too. It's a lose-lose situation. lol :S

sevenswallows · February 2013

I'm 33 weeks and have been suffering through SPD for a month now so I totally feel your pain. A couple weeks ago it got super bad when baby girl dropped. For me the worst is rolling over in bed at night and yanking off heavy winter boots. And every time I walk up stairs I get horrible shooting crotch pains.

I'm feeling a lot better lately, though, thank god because I didn't know how I was going to make it another 2 months with constant pain.

If you can, try seeing a chiropractor who's certified in the Webster (prenatal) method. I've been going for a couple weeks now and already feel much better. You can see if there's someone in your area at https://icpa4kids.org/Find-a-Chiropractor/

I found sitting in a desk chair all day combined with my public transit/subway commute particularly brutal (esp because nobody ever offers me a frigging seat!) and am now working from home a couple days a week which has made things way better. My doctor wrote a note and might sign me off work early. If you have a desk job, sitting on an exercise ball for a little while every day can also apparently help. I'm not allowed to at work (safety hazard, wtf?) but I sit on one at home and it feels awesome.

Also laying on your left side lets blood flow through your pelvis and takes some of the pressure off.

Hope that helps, and hope you feel better!

AgentLDub · February 2013

Sleeping with a pillow between your legs works wonders. Stretching and warm compresses also help. Personally for me, sitting for long periods aggravate my SPD so moving around helps.

wildflower75 · February 2013

I am 34 weeks (due in March) and have been dealing with SPD since October. I finally went to a physical therapist in November and I must say that going once a week REALLY helped me! The maternity support belt helped me a lot too, I wore it everyday for about 2 months (now my bump is too heavy and the belt hurts my lower back so that is counterproductive). Here is the post on my baby blog about my SPD and the exercises that helped me. Hope that helps! I feel your pain! (literally)!

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