Friday 21 March 2014

SPD or PGP ... The Snoozle can help

Some women develop pelvic pain in pregnancy. This is sometimes called pregnancy-related Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) or Symphysis Pubis Dysfunctyion (SPD). Pelvic pain in pregnancy affects up to one in five women. 

The symphysis pubis is a stiff joint that connects the two halves of your pelvis. This joint is strengthened by a dense network of tough, flexible tissues (ligaments). During pregnancy your body produces a hormone called relaxin, which softens your ligaments in order to help your baby pass through your pelvis. Your pelvic joints move more during and just after pregnancy. This can cause inflammation and pain, and may lead to the condition SPD or PGP. 

Pain in the pubic area and groin are the most common symptoms, though you may also have the following signs: 
~ Back pain, pelvic girdle pain or hip pain.
~ A grinding or clicking sensation in your pubic area.
~ Pain down the inside of your thighs or between your legs. It can be made worse by parting your legs, walking, going up or down stairs or moving around in bed.
~ Worse pain at night. SPD can prevent you from sleeping well. Getting up to go to the toilet in the middle of the night can be especially painful.

It is important to remember that PGP is a common and, in most cases, treatable condition. In fact, the name is not very relevant. What matters most is that it is recognised as a mechanical joint problem and treated as early as possible, and that it is safely treated in pregnancy. PGP can occur at any stage in pregnancy. It may come on suddenly, or start gradually. Sometimes it will get better after a couple of days of rest.

For more Information on SPD or PGP please visit NHS, BabyCentre, Pelvic Partnership


I personally suffered from SPD in my first pregnancy and struggled with sleep and general mobility. Now at 25 weeks pregnant its creeping back, starting with pains when sleeping and walking. So when I heard about The Snoozle, the Maternity slide sheet to help turn comfortably in your bed, I was keen to test this out.

The Snoozle is a slide sheet, specifically designed to help pregnant women, who suffer from back and/or hip pain, turn over in bed and get a good night's sleep. It's the best kept secret of Icelandic midwives and is highly recommended by both health care professionals and the women who've used it (Including me now).


Mine arrived in a stunning little box, all wrapped up with a leaflet letting me know everything about the Snoozle and its benefits. Really impressed by speed of delivery and how it was presented, I was now looking forward to testing this relatively simple looking product.

It’s a 75×75″ ‘tube’ made from kind-to-skin cotton on the outer layer, and a satin inner fabric that is designed to slide comfortably with your every move. It’s incredibly simple, but often these are the very products that work the best. Just place underneath you, on top of your normal bed sheet, whilst sleeping and forget it’s there. Just drift off into sleep and let the sheet do the turning.

I was sent a pink Snoozle, but it is also available in blue or silvery-grey. The design is as simple as I’ve suggested above but I’m really impressed with the quality. The logo is embroidered so it doesn’t irritate you when in contact with your skin, and the outer layer (that you sleep on) is soft to touch. 

It was a little odd not having to lift myself to turn in bed, but very refreshing and it didn’t take me long to just relax and enjoy the ease of movement. Even helped me roll out of bed, especially on one of the many pee breaks needed during the night!


Priced at £24, I think for the size, quality, versatility and the fact I have been able to have a better nights sleep than I have had in a long time, it is definitely worth the investment and a pregnancy must have. NuVo Bebe would like to thank Snoozle for the opportunity to test this great little product, which is helping us all get a better night sleep