Well, I've finally hit the point where I'm 'over' this pregnancy.

I've had SIJD (Sacro-iliac joint dysfunction) for about a month now, plus Piriformis Syndrome (cramping butt muscle so that I can't sleep at night), sciatica, coccyx pain and now SPD . I don't think it's possible for anything else to go wrong down there.

I have a belly/back pregnancy support belt and am doing exercises frequently to stretch the piriformis muscle. I'm sitting down when I can but frequently can't lie down because the piriformis cramps up as soon as I do. Today I noticed the SPD pain and I can't even lift a full washing basket without pain.

I have 3 weeks to go but that's not much consolation at the moment. On top of everything else I've had to change pants twice today becuase I've had a bad cold for a week and everytime I cough I leak big-time. So demeaning and frustrating.

My issue I suppose is how to get through the next 3 weeks without exacerbating things further. I have an almost 3 year old which means I can't totally take it easy. Any great tips much appreciated .

Eeek! I only had PGP (formerly called SPD) and found that exercise helped alot. At first I found it really hard not to squat and sit on the floor but it was a case of discipline. I just make sure there's more little stools around the house so I can get down to the level with my 1.5yo and 3yo.
I just took things really slowly towards the end and reduced to the bare minimum tasks in the last weeks. I got a cleaner to come fortnightly earlier on and I was using the dryer a lot more in the last weeks to save me from standing there hanging up and taking down clothes.
It sounds like you've got it a lot worse than what I had so I'd say you simply need to drastically reduce your physical workload. If only for the three weeks.
Is having and induction a week earlier an option?
Can you delegate any chores? Cleaner? Easier meals? Tell DP/DH he's gotta do more? Sorry, no ground breaking ideas - just the things I did to manage. Good luck.
K

Oh how i feel for you

I have SPD and Piriformas syndrome. I've had PS for years now though, not just a pregnancy thing for me, but definately say its horrible this pregnancy.

I'm wearing a pelvic stability belt, or a chastity belt as my ob calls it But i've got to the point now where thats nearly more painful to wear than the SPD pain.

I have gotten myself a cleaner, which i thought i'd never do but it gives me more time to rest. I got her at about 36 weeks. I try not to do too much really, heat packs regularly, my hip muscle stretches, and regular nightly baths, helps me get to sleep, along with panadol during the night.

Oh i hear ya! While i don't have SPD, i have been suffering sciatica/pgp since 16 weeks. I'm probably not even in the same ballpark of pain that you are in OP, but lately i am struggling to even walk of an afternoon. The pain is constantly there but come around 2pm its excruciating and by about 6-7pm i can barely move I feel as though i have a broken butt! I keep trying to lock my pelvis before moving but it only takes one quick uncalculated lunge after my 14mnth old and i'm ruined. Sleeping is horrendous.
I have been seeing a chiro who is making it bearable compared to NOT seeing him but i too am wondering how i am going to handle to next 8 weeks.
Big big hugs to all with stupid unstable pelvises!!

Thanks for the moral support ladies. The cleaner idea is a great one - will be good for a few weeks afterward too.

The pain is so much worse when I'm lying down but it is getting more and more painful to walk and sometimes even sitting down is a literal pain in the butt.

I've been doing piriformis stretches and they help but I think other muscles in my butt are overcompensating now so I'm googling hip stretches to try out.

Last night I was up until after 1am stretching and using my massage tool to try and get some relief. Hot water bottle is good while sitting down but doesn't help much when lying down.

Anyway thanks again and I hope there's some relief in sight for all of us.

I'm so sorry you're experiencing this! It is as if I wrote your post! My last pregnancy was just awful and I cried most days from 28 weeks onward!

Ultimately NOTHING helped me. Birth arrived at 38 weeks and I could not have been happier! The pain improved immediately!

I took myself off to the chiropractor after my last and I found out I had a twisted pelvis and scoliosis! I think all those existing things impacted how badly I cope with pregnancy! I have been working with the Chiro ever since and intend to do so through this pregnancy also! I hope it helps and I'm not in the same position this time around!

So..ok, I suppose I'm recommending a good Chiropractor! Not sure how that works this late in pregnancy..but I'd give it a shot.

x

I am 37 weeks and am seeing an Osteopath for my PSD and SIJD ... I can't tell you the difference it has made. I found stretching, massaging, heat, excercise and stretching (actually any movement!) aggravating, until I had the adjustments.
Osteopaths are similar to Chiro's in their adjustments but also look at soft tissue (ie muscles etc)
I would recommend looking into it. I was recommended the one I am seeing through my Birth Centre.

I feel for any one with problems with their pelvis. After suffering with pain in my hips and pelvis through out my PG and seeing a chiropracter regulaly, I gave birth to my DS and that alone cost me a sprained pelvis so my recovery has been super slow. I have had trouble getting in and out of bed as well as moving around. Thankfully it is getting better with regular visits to my chiro. Night time is the worst. I can only sleep propped up on heaps of pillows.

So what I am saying is I feel for all of you and you all recover quickly after the birth of your LO's unlike my recovery.

Best wishes to all

I have SPD and I know what pain you are going thru. The worse thing is that I can't take anything for it which sucks. Im going to physio and going to the heated pool at the hospital for some excerise. Another thing they told me to do was pelvic floor exercises. I hope that the pain settles soon!

I have suffered from sciatica this pregnancy on and off and use advanced bowen therapy for it (my DH is trained in it).

The last week or so I started getting a 'different pain' which I think may be SPD. It got REALLY bad the other night (Friday) and I was in tears in bed as my leg was constantly aching and I struggled to walk to the toilet (ended up with DH pushing me in our office chair ).

Anyway the next day DH did some bowen therapy on me and started me on magnesium powder. Within hours I noticed a big difference and the pain had subsided. Today again I am much better and last night could walk to the toilet again

Anyway the challenge is finding a good practitioner for Bowen Therapy (one who is trained in NST - advanced bowen's), just like it's a challenge finding a good chiro/osteopath etc.

I find this website useful - at your stage if it was something you were considering, finding someone who has done the advanced training would be better. Here is the link to the practitioners on the NST website: NST Practitioners

Other than that, the only solution, as others have suggested is getting some help around the house and hoping bubs appears sooner rather than later.

Thinking of you

I only have right sided sacro-iliac pain and am using ice regularly(especially when throbbing at night), a chiro weekly and crutches when I have to walk for any distance (ie around the shops) - I am not very good at resting!
Swimming was hopeless but I found the preggie bellies workout to be great, strengthening but no pain as you are supported by the fit ball. I will have to check out these stretching exercises though.