Hello.....
Firstly; as i'm going to write about my experience of SPD, I'm going to add a link, for further medical based infomation, if you want it :
www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/antenatalhealth/physicalhealth/pelvicpain/
Pregnancy can be hard or easy, my pregnancies were good except for SPD, which was
particularly bad in my last pregnancy.
For those of you who don't know a lot about me; I have two girls aged four and one years old. In between having my girls, I had a miscarriage at three months (this is a subject that I will cover in my next article). I suffered with SPD to varying degrees in all three pregnancies; yes even as early as nine to ten weeks!!
In my first pregnancy with Caitlin, I was terrified because it was my first pregnancy mainly. I got very big very quickly and this started to put pressure on my pelvis causing mild symptoms of SPD. This didn't start until eighteen to twenty weeks into the pregnancy, and stayed quite mild, but still uncomfortable.
SPD is caused by the joint at the front of the pelvis becoming more flexible, as hormones are released and soften the ligaments.
I had pain in my hips and down my legs, but never to the point of needing to be referred to physio. Although I was warned by my midwife that SPD get worse in each following pregnancy, and may occur earlier. This is exactly what happened to me!
In my second pregnancy I started to feel the symptoms of SPD at nine to ten weeks! I don't know if this had anything to do with my impending miscarriage, but the symptoms were as before. I had grinding in my hips and aching pain down my legs. This didn't progress as I sadly miscarried at about thirteen weeks, two days before my first scan.
My third pregnancy, is were I got the most experience of SPD!! It started early, which made me worry because this is what happened in my previous pregnancy, but as I continued to grow so did the pain!!!
My hips grinded and I again had aches down my legs, this time I had low back pain and at night, well.......
I could take hours to get comfortable getting to sleep, with extra pillows under my hips and between my legs!!!! When I did get to sleep it didn't last more than a few hours at the most, then I'd have to change position, because my hips hurt so much!!!!
I was referred to the physio department at the hospital at around twenty five weeks, I was given a support belt to wear when walking and shown some exercises to do. I was advised on how to sleep, which was the most helpful advice ever!!!!
To aid sleep, put a duvet folded and so double layered, over your materess (on your side of the bed - obviously!!) before your bed is made, and so there is extra padding. Then use a wedge pillow, or fold a pillow to make a wedge, and tuck it under your bump, also put a pillow between your legs! It may feel weird at first, but it helped me to get to sleep quicker, and sleep for longer.
Unfortunately this makes cuddling up with hubby or bf a little difficult, but if your SPD gets bad the last thing you want is 'cuddles' in bed!
At my next physio appointment a few weeks later I was given another wider support belt, to wear when walking around, to help support my growing bump. The point of the belt was to take some of the pressure off the pelvis, and to support the lower back. If any of you use a support belt in pregnancy, remember to take it off if you are sitting down; very often with SPD, sitting down is the most comfortable position, as long as the seat of the chair is padded!!
I finished work at just over 31 weeks, as I booked my holiidays in prior to my maternity leave. It's a good job I did this, as at my next physio appointment, two days after finishing work; I was given crutches!!!! This was as well as having to wear the belt! My physio, tested my reflexes at this appointment, and thankfully mainly because sitting down was the most comfortable position for me, my reflexes were good. This meant that I could continue to drive. Although this is not the case for everyone; I was lucky!
My SPD had progressed quite quickly, between twenty and thirty weeks into my pregnancy. But once I finished work it just got worse!!! I think because in my job I am on my feet wandering around and busy a lot, it kept me going, but as I began to take it easier at home I got stiffer and more uncomfortable.
Because of my SPD, I was offered an elective section, which I booked for as late in the pregnancy as possible, as although I was in a lot of discomfort, I had had a section before, and I wanted to have a natural birth if possible! Just for the experience!!
Not everyone is offered this opportunity, but if you're really struggking, it won't hurt to ask. SPD can really get you down, so never struggle on in silence.
I booked my section for thirty nine weeks; but Emily arrived two days before!!! I wish I had booked my section in for earlier!!!
Natural births for women suffering from SPD can be very difficult, or sometimes very quick, but as with all natural births they are painful!!!
My natural birth with Emily was very quick and extremely painful, my hips were very stiff afterwards. But, I was back to normal after about six weeks, after the birth I continued with the exercises that the physio had taught me; when I could and this helped me get back my full mobility.
I do get aches and pains now and again, in my hips. I'm sure that this is related to the SPD, but hey; maybe I'm just getting old!! I'm not planning on suffering with pregnancy related SPD again anytime soon, or maybe ever!!!!
It hurts!!
I hope this article was useful and informative for someone, even if it is only one!!!
The good thing my experience of SPD is my girls; they are the best things I've ever done, I can't believe I made them!!! They're so perfect! Well; most of the time!!
Lol to you all and your families, especially on this 
Mothers day (in the UK),
Best wishes Lisa xxxx.
(March 2nd) (
