Sleeping with SPD-- Any tips?

[texmati]

I'm doing ok with managing the pain from SPD, but at night it's horrible. I feel like I can feel my pelvis just being wrenched apart. Any tips on sleeping, getting into and out of bed?

[nova22]

It helps me to put something between my knees, even if it's just a small blanket folded in half. Or I sleep in the "running man" position recommended in Bradley classes: you lay on your side but slightly leaning towards your stomach with your legs in a position as if you are running.

I haven't found a way to roll over comfortably, I just do it incredibly slowly. Same with getting in and out of bed. Sometimes I will lay on my back for a few minutes with a rice pack on my pelvic bone (hot or frozen, either way feels nice) but I can't tolerate it for long because my tailbone hurts too.

Isn't pregnancy fun?!?

[texmati]

Originally Posted by nova22

It helps me to put something between my knees, even if it's just a small blanket folded in half. Or I sleep in the "running man" position recommended in Bradley classes: you lay on your side but slightly leaning towards your stomach with your legs in a position as if you are running.

I haven't found a way to roll over comfortably, I just do it incredibly slowly. Same with getting in and out of bed. Sometimes I will lay on my back for a few minutes with a rice pack on my pelvic bone (hot or frozen, either way feels nice) but I can't tolerate it for long because my tailbone hurts too.

Isn't pregnancy fun?!?

I know, right? I only have one rice bag, so I use it when going to sleep but it's cold when I wake up.

I can't lay on my back for long either... I feel like I can't breath. I used to do the Bradly thing last pregnancy-- but now I feel my belly is too big?

I guess I should be thankful that my son only woke 3 times last night, and mercifully went back to sleep with a bottle.

10 more weeks!

[~Adorkable~]

I found the pillow is great, but even more important for me is to keep my knees at the same height as each other, be that straight or curled up. As long as I'm strict about that I don't develop big issues.

[MamaFern]

im not sure that what i have is SPD but night is very bad.. anytime i move or roll over or shift its insanely painful down there.. a firm pillow folded in half between my knees does help, and holding a pillow in my arms does too for some reason.. propping your belly up can help too.. but really i think the only solution is having baby. i have been going to weekly chiro sessions and it does help, but it sure doesn't make it totally go away

[spatulagirl]

I had SPD the last pregnancy and had to move to the sofa for the last three months of pregnancy. It was the only way I could sleep. When I rolled over, my pelvis would pop out and it hurt so badly, I couldn't go back to sleep and often had to visit the chiro the next day.

So I moved to the sofa and slept propped up and it was so comfy.

[PoppyMama]

Doing the SPD exercises helped it not get worse and I had to log roll off the bed with both legs pressed together. Ice packs are really better than heat as far as keeping it from getting worse. I take Arnica (5 every 2 hours for 4 doses) when things get really bad and I have broken down and taken pain killers when I absolutely must have a break.

[nova22]

I'm here to retract what I said earlier - don't sleep in the "running man" position. I talked to my midwife yesterday and she said keeping your legs together is more helpful; separating your legs causes more pain overall. She lent me a belly support band that helps IMMENSELY. If you can get a hold of one I highly recommend it.

[texmati]

Originally Posted by PoppyMama 

Doing the SPD exercises helped it not get worse and I had to log roll off the bed with both legs pressed together. Ice packs are really better than heat as far as keeping it from getting worse. I take Arnica (5 every 2 hours for 4 doses) when things get really bad and I have broken down and taken pain killers when I absolutely must have a break.

do you know where I can find information about arnica, and where to find arnica in general? I  keep hearing good things about it, but dh is hesitant to try it (even though he's open to any herb that my/his mom/grandmom suggests!).

[PoppyMama]

It's homeopathic and I get it at sun harvest usually. I buy the Hylands brand because it's way cheaper. I think it's supposed to be 4 every dose but I seem to count 5 better. It was my midwife who told me to try them and doing the frequent doses thing really does seem to help when stuff is bad. I can't recommend ice packs wrapped in a dish towel highly enough. I refused to ice anything at first because I hate being cold but it really makes things better and helps them stay better.

[XanaduMama]

I had terrible SPD with both pregnancies. My Snoogle body pillow helped SO incredibly much, but the real magic bullet is chiropracty--go get adjusted ASAP. I only went with #2, as my insurance wouldn't cover it before then, but I should have just paid out of pocket: my chiropractor saved my life, seriously.

You can get arnica at Whole Foods or probably at good grocery stores (Kroger carries it here), but I think you need more than arnica, if it's anything like mine was.

[texmati]

Originally Posted by XanaduMama 

I had terrible SPD with both pregnancies. My Snoogle body pillow helped SO incredibly much, but the real magic bullet is chiropracty--go get adjusted ASAP. I only went with #2, as my insurance wouldn't cover it before then, but I should have just paid out of pocket: my chiropractor saved my life, seriously.

You can get arnica at Whole Foods or probably at good grocery stores (Kroger carries it here), but I think you need more than arnica, if it's anything like mine was.

did you find that you had to keep going back to the chiro? Everyone I've talked to says that it's helps for a day or so, and then you are back to square one. I just can't afford it at 200 dollars an apt. This pregnancy is *so* expensive!!!

[PoppyMama]

Shop around for chirps who do womens health and ask for their cash price. My last preg. I paid $100 for the initial visit and $35 after that. The price has gone up now to $45 and I pay cash every time no insurance. No way I would pay $200a visit cause you do go in a lot.

[texmati]

shamelessly bumping after a terrible night. I'm looking up chiro's now!!!

[lillymonster]

I can only sleep on my back, almost sitting upright with lots of pillows and a pillow under my thighs/knees. I know it's like the worst position to sleep in, but I can't sleep on my side, even with pillows, because it hurts if I need to move or I have trouble breathing. And I am seeing a chiro on monday.  I can not wait to sleep like a normal person.

[~Amy~]

Originally Posted by texmati 

Originally Posted by XanaduMama 

I had terrible SPD with both pregnancies. My Snoogle body pillow helped SO incredibly much, but the real magic bullet is chiropracty--go get adjusted ASAP. I only went with #2, as my insurance wouldn't cover it before then, but I should have just paid out of pocket: my chiropractor saved my life, seriously.

You can get arnica at Whole Foods or probably at good grocery stores (Kroger carries it here), but I think you need more than arnica, if it's anything like mine was.

did you find that you had to keep going back to the chiro? Everyone I've talked to says that it's helps for a day or so, and then you are back to square one. I just can't afford it at 200 dollars an apt. This pregnancy is *so* expensive!!!

My SPD was well-managed by weekly chiro appointments.  Your chiro's pricey!  Mine is $40 a visit.