I had severe SPD in my previous pregnancy. At 7 weeks in this pregnancy I went to the GP and asked to be referred to the ante natal physio as a matter of urgency to help avoid the extreme pain I suffered last time. I couldn't walk on my own at the end of the pregnancy and required a wheelchair and crutches, etc. They lost my referral and I had to chase it up through another GP.
I eventually got another letter saying I could come for an information session. I phoned up and said I didn't want to waste a space in the class, as I already had the information I needed from last time, and really needed to see an actual physio as a matter of urgency. I was told that they are 'too busy' to see all the girls with SPD and if I wanted anything further to happen, I had to go to the session and take it from there.
I went along, requiring the help of my husband and crutches to get there. We were told to sit in very uncomfortable seats which I refused to do, and asked for a 'proper' seat which I was given, but no one else was, even though it was a room full of girls clearly in pain. The hour was a complete waste of time - working on the assumption that we can all read I feel we should have been posted out the leaflets and given even 20 minutes of the physio's time. Some of the advice given was pointless to me, I am far past the point of being able to do some of their exercises as they cause me too much pain, yet the person holding the session clearly wasn't interested in this.
The person holding the class opened the class by saying 'this is it, this is all you get, there is nothing else available so don't ask'.
At the end of the session I asked for crutches which I was given to me as quickly as possible and then hurried away to ensure no further conversation could take place.
One of the leaflet's they gave us was copied from the POGP leaflet which is brilliant and comprehensive, but the version they gave us conveniently left out the advice that manual therapy is crucial to limit pain.
I am now taking paracetamol and codeine phosphate, can't leave the house without crutches or a wheelchair, and am completely dependent on my husband to go anywhere.
I think the hospital is brilliant and I think the NHS are wonderful, but I do not think this service addresses the needs of people with severe SPD and the GP's think they are really helping you by referring you here, when in my opinion it's completely pointless. Even the midwives I have spoken to all agree and know it's pointless.
"Antenatal physiotherapy experience"
About: Victoria Hospital / Maternity care Victoria Hospital Maternity care KY2 5AH
Posted by SJC1983 (as ),
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Update posted by SJC1983 (the patient) 9 years ago
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