Symphisis Pubis Dysfunction is not fun. - Page 2

[redpajama]

My situation was a little different, but when I was 39 weeks pregnant with my 3rd baby, I injured my pelvis really badly (long story short, I saw a toddler about to get backed over by a car, and took off in a dead sprint and felt my pubic symphysis just...*pop*...and then couldn't walk or lift my legs).  I was terrified of what this would mean for my birth.  My husband drove the car up next to me so I could sort of...fall into the seat, and then drove home and right up to our front door, through which he then sort of dragged me to the couch.  I couldn't walk at all for several days--literally couldn't lift my legs; it was like they were cemented into the floor.  I started walking with crutches about 5 or so days after it happened, and saw a chiropractor (who is trained in Webster technique and experienced with pregnancy).  By the time I went into labor (40 weeks, 5 days, if I remember correctly), I was hobbling around without the crutches, but still pretty uncomfortable.
 

I say all this, though, to reassure you--when I went into labor, I was not moving as well as normal, but it didn't have a huge effect on how I labored.  I had a really pleasant labor, 6 hours or so, and then a pretty quick birth to a 10 lb. baby.  The birth was no more painful for having that injury, and it improved drastically afterwards (there was something to be said for getting the big baby off/out of my pelvis, I think).  

Anyway, I'm sorry you're dealing with this--I know how painful and debilitating it can be--but I wouldn't let it give you much anxiety about the birth itself.

[Juggling3]

I have had this with all 4 pregnancies and it definitely is no fun. I feel like a creaky skeleton! My pain is not constant. I have found this time that peppering my day with light exercise and activity actually helps, even though it hurts a bit when I first start moving. The worst is waking in the morning. A few things that have helped me (silly as these are!)-crawling on all fours in the evenings to pick up toys or stuff of the floor and going up the stairs with a 'monkey crawl'. LOL but I do have to convince my little guys that I am not playing 'horsey'! I'm sure I look ridiculous, but it feels a heck of a lot better than walking!

[Lexi_029]

I've had it with all four of my pregnancies as well. I hear nothing but good things about chiro but I couldn't ever afford to go. I do think a hot bath helps and sometimes my husband will do a hip/tailbone massage that helps too.

[Dlynn918]

Thanks for all the great advice everyone! I have good news! I found a chiropractor in my area trained in the Webster Method and went to see her today...and my insurance covers it too! So only a co-pay! Yay!  I feel SO much better already but I have to admit I have always responded very well to chiropractic care. She did some myofacial work and gentle adjustments (none of the big "snap pop" stuff) and worked with me for an hour. She used this clicking tool that tapped my bones, no idea what that was but it was new to me. My mobility has greatly improved, I even feel..lighter...if you will. Considering your your uterus is attached to your sacrum, and your sacrum to your hips and hips to your pubic bone, it all makes sense.I feel in better alignment already. I highly recommend finding a good chiro in your area trained in these methods if anyone is still having these troubles.. I know everyone responds differently to chiropractic care but for me after one visit it a huge difference and for the better. I know that a lot of this is hormonal and its not going to make the relaxin issue go away and my cartiledge is already jello but I certainly feel better aligned. My uterus feels like its in a happier place too! I hope baby is also feeling good as well. :-) Honestly, I even feel better in spirits which I'm sure has something to do with the fact my pain has been cut down greatly. I came home from my appointment, made pizza on the grill and spent an hour in the garden planting sprouts with my daughter when usually Id be on the couch wishing I could do more. She helped me with some take home exercises and Juggling3, your cleaning toys on hands and knees is perfect...whether you know it or not your doing pelvic tilts and a modified child pose that is fantastic for this issue! Also, the chiro and my MW friend both told me to do a buddy exercise:lay on your back, knees up. Have your buddy hold your knees almost shut while you push for 3 seconds. Do this 3 times as your legs go further out each time. Then have your buddy place their hand on the inside of your knees while you press out 3 seconds at a time as you bring them further together each time. Ive found doing that at home before bed helps me not wake up so "creaky" in the morning. Supposedly it helps with alignment and strengthening the pelvis.

Thanks again ladies!

[bignerpie]

Originally Posted by Dlynn918 

I came home from my appointment, made pizza on the grill and spent an hour in the garden planting sprouts with my daughter when usually Id be on the couch wishing I could do more.

I'm so glad seeing the chiropractor helped! Just be careful not to overdo it too quickly. I know it's such a relief to finally feel like you can get something done, but you don't want to undo everything the chiro did for you!

I am terrible about that. After my last appointment, I felt so much better that I decided to scrub my bathtub. It needed it so bad... I am completely ashamed to admit how long it had been.... big mistake. So tomorrow I get to limp back to her for another adjustment. 

[Dlynn918]

I was thinking the same thing and I slept like crap too cause I was uncomfortable. Hope I didn't over do it! I have another apt on thursday.... Im so good at pushing myself! lol

[~~Sarah~~]

Originally Posted by Juggling3 

 A few things that have helped me (silly as these are!)-crawling on all fours in the evenings to pick up toys or stuff of the floor and going up the stairs with a 'monkey crawl'. LOL but I do have to convince my little guys that I am not playing 'horsey'! I'm sure I look ridiculous, but it feels a heck of a lot better than walking!

It's funny because one of the things that makes me about a thousand times worse is being on my hands and knees. I have to avoid pressure on my knees at all times.

[bignerpie]

I got my support belt from the chiro today, and I realized that it's the Loving Comfort belt that Earthylady linked a few posts back. We ordered that one because of the ventilation in the back, since I still have the summer to get through. So far, I love it. It instantly took that pressure off my hips and just made me feel more balanced overall. I hope it holds up over the next few months.

[Gracecody]

I am suffering with this and my midwife has strongly recommended seeing a chiro who she has recommended to me - this chiro is female and specializes in pregnancy. I have never been to a chiro and am nervous and concerned about the cost (it is considered out of network and would be applied to my insurance deductible, so it's out of pocket at the discounted rate). Most of my birth costs (homebirth) will also be out of pocket and I'm going on unpaid leave when the baby comes so the $$ is a real consideration in this decision.

I experienced this to some degree in each of my last two pregnancies as well, at about the same point. So I am really not sure if it's an alignment issue or just how my body does pregnancy. I have a Medela support belt and can't say it's been helping.

Just wondering how those of you who have been dealing with this are doing now, and if you are still seeing a chiro or have begun seeing a chiro. My midwife is really concerned that I am feeling as much discomfort as I am, this early (33 weeks) and wants me to do something about it as she's concerned about my lack of mobility. She is huge on exercise. I too would love to be able to walk at least 30 minutes for exercise and haven't been able to do that in many, many weeks. All I can do is water aerobics class which is only twice a week and some of the movements in the class are even starting to bother me.

For those of you who have this but haven't been seeing a chiro, are you doing anything else such as pelvic exercises, and if so, has it helped?

Anyway, just looking for some updates from those of you who are further along and have been taking steps to treat this before I seriously consider shelling out $100 for an initial appointment with a chiro...

[bignerpie]

Gracecody, I totally understand the money issue. I am paying $3,000 out of pocket for my midwife, plus $65 for each chiro visit. I'm a SAHM, so we live just on my husband's salary which is barely enough to get by. It's not easy to rearrange the budget to accommodate these visits.

That being said, the chiro is worth every penny. I would gladly eat ramen noodles for 2 weeks to afford going to see her. I didn't start seeing her until somewhere around 28 weeks, and I wish I would have started sooner. With my first pregnancy, I thought the pain was normal, so I didn't go at all until after my son was born. The pain actually got worse, to the point I could barely walk.

If you are already out of alignment, the belt is not going to help because it just holds you in an improper way. The combination of getting adjusted and then wearing the support belt really works for me. The chiro lines you up, and the belt helps to keep you there.

If I was in your place, I would bite the bullet and spend the money on the chiro. But, whatever you decide to do, I hope you are able to find relief. 

[Gracecody]

Thank you so much - I sincerely appreciate your opinion on this and am glad to hear it has really helped you. Your point about the maternity belt is well taken and makes a great deal of sense. I have asked the Dr. to give me a call at home so I can better understand exactly how she addresses SPD and what the actual costs will be, before committing to an appointment. The receptionist wasn't able to give me any of this information.

[activealli]

I have this really bad since 28 weeks because of polyhydramnios (severe excess of amnio fluid). It got so bad that my right leg would not work for much more than a supportive peg. I have not been diagnosed with SPD, but I know its what I have. I slept upright in my nursing foam chair for 2 weeks, well, tried to sleep, because it made me almost scream to lay on my side, even with supportive pillows between my legs and boppy pregnancy support pillow and 2 body pillows. I couldnt sit for more than 60 seconds without feeling like the weight of my own body was going to crush my pelvis. I waddled since about 25 weeks. I am currently seeing a chiropractor who specializes in pregnancy and the webster technique every 2-3 weeks to work on my body alignment, and going to resume accupuncture next week with my accupuncturist who specializes in pregnancy and fertility . I have found both have improved symptoms, but not eliminated it. I have found that an electric heating pad is my very very best friend. I carry it around with me everywhere and as a result I have to have the AC cranked up to 70 or else i overheat, but i feel so much better with heat on!

I have had 2 amnio reductions and going for a 3rd on friday. Each time the hip pain is almost completely gone, Im hoping there is no permanent damage after the final reduction (aka birth...).  Im already fantasizing about not being pregnant anymore. I am NOT one of those ladies who have loved being pregnant! Between the 5 months of severe ALL DAY sickness to polyhydramnios causing severe hip pain, this has been the hardest time in my life. I cant wait to have my body back! I used to be an incredibly active person and because Im high risk I can barely even go for a short walk without causing hip pain and contractions. Even swimming gets hard because when my hips are bad, my legs will not kick. It feels like they charley horse up, as if I ran a marathon on them (sorry, had to rant a little...)

Edited by activealli - 8/11/11 at 3:54pm

[Dlynn918]

I agree totally with Bignerpie! One thing I want to point out is make sure your chiro is trained and certified in the Webster technique/method. Its specifically designed for the pelvis of pregnant women! And its very gentle, none of the abrupt snapping that you might be thinking of when your hear chiro. You will have it done and wonder if she actually did anything until you get up and realize how much better you feel. The first time I had it done I felt like she completely realigned my uterus. Which makes sense cause it is attached to the sacrum.

For me if comes and goes. Sleeping is hard. I try to limit heavy lifting, pushing things with my feet (like a laundry basket for example), I sit when I put my pants on, dont sit cross legged, watch how I get in and out of the car. Its all become second nature. I unfortunately had to quit yoga. I'm still swimming though cause that is the only form of exercise I can handle right now and I refuse to give it up. I find if I swim the breast stroke or do anything with that "frog leg" form it will flare up so Ive learned what to avoid there and still swim. Its finding what aggravates it and avoid it like the plague. Its gotten so much better and I havent worn my belt in a month but when it gets bad, oh man, it makes me a total wreck. I feel like an invalid. Im 34 weeks btw and have been dealing with SPD for probably a good 10-12 weeks. My job didnt help at all, too much physical labor, Im not working now, so that helps, the SPD anyway...not the budget! Take it easy and get to your chiro. :-)
 

Originally Posted by Gracecody 

I am suffering with this and my midwife has strongly recommended seeing a chiro who she has recommended to me - this chiro is female and specializes in pregnancy. I have never been to a chiro and am nervous and concerned about the cost (it is considered out of network and would be applied to my insurance deductible, so it's out of pocket at the discounted rate). Most of my birth costs (homebirth) will also be out of pocket and I'm going on unpaid leave when the baby comes so the $$ is a real consideration in this decision.

I experienced this to some degree in each of my last two pregnancies as well, at about the same point. So I am really not sure if it's an alignment issue or just how my body does pregnancy. I have a Medela support belt and can't say it's been helping.

Just wondering how those of you who have been dealing with this are doing now, and if you are still seeing a chiro or have begun seeing a chiro. My midwife is really concerned that I am feeling as much discomfort as I am, this early (33 weeks) and wants me to do something about it as she's concerned about my lack of mobility. She is huge on exercise. I too would love to be able to walk at least 30 minutes for exercise and haven't been able to do that in many, many weeks. All I can do is water aerobics class which is only twice a week and some of the movements in the class are even starting to bother me.

For those of you who have this but haven't been seeing a chiro, are you doing anything else such as pelvic exercises, and if so, has it helped?

Anyway, just looking for some updates from those of you who are further along and have been taking steps to treat this before I seriously consider shelling out $100 for an initial appointment with a chiro...

[falafala]

I didn't feel like a pregnancy belt helped that much...it kind of annoyed me too. I did feel like chiropractic made a big difference (especially the chiropractor who specialized in pregnancy) These tips helped quite a bit as well http://backpainandpregnancy.blogspot.com/2008/09/understanding-pelvic-pain-in-pregnancy.html