

Long term pelvic problems after SPD during pregnancy?

(13 Posts)
CrazyOldCatLady Thu 14-Feb-13 16:42:48

I had SPD during both pregnancies. My youngest is now a year old and I still have intermittent pelvic discomfort, mostly at the front but often my lower back too. It seems to be affected by hormones as it's worse around my period. The ligament at the front seems much more vulnerable than before as well, if I walk awkwardly it can sometimes twist or stretch uncomfortably; it feels as if I could damage it easily.

I had advice from a physio shortly after DS was born as to how to take care of it, but that only minimises it rather than getting rid of it.

My mum still has problems with hers and she's 60 next month. I don't want that!

Has anyone else had this, and were you able to improve it at all?

frazzledbutcalm Thu 14-Feb-13 21:31:50

Watching with interest as I suffer the same. It's now been 8 years since delivery of last baby ... I get burning, searing pain when I turn/twist a certain way unexpectedly.

wfrances Fri 15-Feb-13 10:47:51

my gp thinks i have ostetits pubis ,
my symptoms are intense period /dragging feeling right on the pubis symphisis made worse on standing ect..and low central back ache ,im having 2 xrays today 1 being a flamingo stance ,and waiting for an mri appointment.
he said treatment would be 6 months physio and maybe steriod injections into the pelvis as the pain will get worse during the physio before it gets better,
gp had it and is back playing rugby so it sounds like it can get fixed,which is good news

downindorset Fri 15-Feb-13 18:44:02

Hi, I had SPD during my second pregnancy - sharp pain at the front and achey lower back pain on the left. After birth the front pain went but the back pain didn't.

During the pregnancy the physio gave me some simple pilates exercises to do everyday and these really helped.

After birth I went back to my yoga practise (ashtanga yoga) and now, nearly 3 years since the birth I have little to no pain.

SPD is often caused by an imbalance in the pelvis - I have such an imbalance - my left side is flexible and loose and my right strong but stiffer. Ashtanga yoga has helped even the balance out, so providing lasting pain relief on a day to day basis. I still have pain on the left during the yoga itself but this is getting better all the time.

I also did a course of Rolfing which sped up the healing (see

Finally, recently I've been sleeping with a memory foam pillow, which means my spine is well aligned at night and this has also meant I've had no pain at all at night.

I can now sleep on my left side again, for months I was unable to.

IndigoBarbie Fri 15-Feb-13 22:22:50

I second the rolfing, it was an absolute miracle cure for me - but I still have to watch what I'm doing. I had a 10 series of structural integration - but I was about 18months after my DS was born, after a full year of physio from nhs. I also had an xray of my pelvis and told to come back in a year if nothing improved. Can I just tell you that I found a lot of ignorance in Dr's etc. REST was one of the biggest things that helped me. Also - watching my every move. Get into the car bum first and swing legs round (yes, even still) as anything which has one side of your body taking all or most of your weight is a sure-fire way to have the inflammation going again. I had bad SI join pain, as downindorset said - I couldn't lie on my side for an awful long time either - and I still roll to get out of bed, then sit up. I had a massive tummy muscle separation too - you can do exercises at home for this - google for JulieTupler, very very helpful - and supportive to your core regardless.

I'm 3 years on since DS1 and I am now able to do pilates, which has been very strengthening indeed - but I still can't do some of the moves, and the ones I can do - I do take it easy.
You have my every love and sympathy for such another crappy thing to happen.

IndigoBarbie Fri 15-Feb-13 22:26:06

Please, I missed out the part where they xrayed my pelvis and said I might need a plate and pins. At that point I was about 18months after giving birth via emcs, and I sought out the rolfer (but this happened by accident). If it is a case of you having to watch your every move, and stopping doing certain movements - then it is definitely worth it. I know not everyone has the luxury of resting, but if you can seek out a rolfer - its been a life saver for me. I can't recommend it highly enough. I had a massive tissue build up on one of my hips, and I had a lot over my pubic symphsis joint too. My rolfer identified this straight away and worked on my whole body to bring it back into alignment. It was painful and very very deep tissue and tendon/fasica work on the bones - but the pain relief was incredible. xx

Wolfiefan Fri 15-Feb-13 22:31:29

Can I creep in to ask about symptoms? Had SPD with first pg. back pain with 2nd. Now 3 years on back pain and some hip pain. Had MRI and tried an injection of steroid into lower back with consultant. I've done physio, yoga, Pilates, gym and continued to lose weight.
I still bloody hurt!
Any of this sound familiar?

I had SPD in my last pregnancy (with twins).
It did improve after they were born, but then reared its ugly head again when they were about 6.
Things that help: Pilates
Things that don't help: ice skating, walking long distances, the fact that I'm overweight.

downindorset Sat 16-Feb-13 10:02:04

As IndigoBarbie says, Rolfing is damn painful but really worth it. I also did the 10 series and it was the best money I've ever spent not to have that nagging pain all the time. My rolfer says that it is one of the best things to do for your body if you've been pregnant or been in a car accident!

Theicingontop Sat 16-Feb-13 11:22:22

Mine's made worse before and during my period, too. Also if I lay in bed too long, or if I walk too much.

I'm trying to lose weight to combat mine. I hope it'll help.

HairyPoppins Sat 16-Feb-13 16:02:41

Mine still hasn't gone two years on. I had the year of NHS physio and then was discharged. I'm finding it really sore and just exhausting to deal with the pain. I find that it's especially aggravated if I'm doing a lot of transitions between sitting down and standing up, especially at work as I present at and attend a lot of events. Although at home with a two year old isn't much easier.

I am also struggling to explain to colleagues when I'm shattered, have to sit down for a bit, can't carry enormous boxes of kit, or need to take the lift now while things aren't so bad so that I'll have enough energy to walk to the train station at the end of the day. I either get 'a young thing like you?' or they give me upteen irrelevant ways I can magically cure myself, or make snidey comments on the theme of me being a bit crap, or uncooperative, or not capable of doing the work I'm employed to do sad.

I'm off to look up rolfing.

IndigoBarbie Sat 16-Feb-13 16:27:19

Oh you girls, honestly - It's a major trek, and honestly - I still took stairs one step with one foot, then brought the other foot up to meet it even after I was back at work. I only took stairs if it was an absolute necessity, and often still went for the lift. It's all about managing yourself, and making sure you stick to your own limits. Only then - can you assess what is helping you, and what is not. I still had to sleep sitting upright for the year after I gave birth, and it was a total rigmaroll - but I had a memory foam matress underneath me, and about 11/12 pillows around me and underneath my legs!!!
I iced my pubic symphysis joint, and I tried my very best not to take painklolers - because - this gave me a false sense of 'feeling able' and I knew I still wasn't.
Don't give up hope, if anything it has made me much much more aware of what people have to deal with, and if I could help one person I'd feel useful ;)
I felt like I had to justify myself at every turn, but I soon learned that I had to do what I could - and not do any more. Hence, I still don't iron as I had to give it up! smile
The rolfing evened me up I had severe ankle bendage, half of my body was actually lopsided to one side, and lots of tense muscles and painful pained bits n pieces - I saw a chiro during my pregnancy, but it was only ever some kind of pain relief. When I was rolfed on I was very sceptical about it, but I only have extremely high praises for it. It doesn't seem to be widely known about, but I like to wax lyrical about it. xxx

IndigoBarbie Sat 16-Feb-13 16:30:57

ps, and get on the Julie Tupler website - this really helped me back to some core strength and back strength big time

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