Oh no probs, good luck

Lotster , thank you so much for your in-depth replies on both threads and for all the tips re gym ball(yes I already have one & luv it), support belt, osteopathy recommendation (yeah I think u briefly mentioned that! ) etc. Sounds like you went through a terrible time with your pelvis, back, surgeries, recovery periods etc. but glad things are lookin up for you this time round. Thanks again!

Hey Pink,

apparently most people find it goes really quickly. They usually say there's an immediate improvement after the birth (unless you allow forceps like me, idiot, forceps and SPD do NOT mix) then it's about 5 months till it's completely gone.
Yes, some people it never quite goes, but I think that's more with DSP sufferers, and probably underlying mis-alignment too from what I've read/heard.

Don't worry too much about thinking your exp will be like mine as I had an unfortunate set of things going on. I had a twisted sacrum that went unnoticed from the birth too remember, and I also have some osteoarthritis in my lower spine that got picked up too in the investigations...
So you may find you get instant relief when baby is born, unlike me. The weight that was in your tum isn't all baby, so caring for him/her after will be a lighter load anyway.

Because of all the stuff going on with my back and pelvis my GP, the physio, and the osteopath all said I should have an easier time if I waited until my son was three to have another, but probably because firstly it took so long for the back stuff to be picked up, and secondly I also had to have birth trauma repair surgery twice, and each recovery period (with no lifting for six weeks) set me back. So when I did get back to caring for and lifting my son who was quite chunky, it
was a shock to the system again.

I didn't plan this pregnancy but we're in agreement it all happened for the best because it turns out I've been much better this time, and I'm really confident about getting my fitness back afterwards. Lots of walking and sit ups/core strength excercises will get me there. And did I mention my osteopath is a life-saver??

I read some interesting research from Norway (or sweden, can't remember!) that said it takes 6 years from the birth to completely recover for some. When I read that it didn't seem worth waiting three years only to start the six year wait again IYSWIM.

The only thing that still confuses me is how people like the Pelvic Partnership, the physio's and the Osteopath, all of whom I respect, can disagree so much on the cause of SPD. i.e. whether it's alignment or hormones.

Those who think it's hormonal would say that as long as you are breastfeeding it can affect recovery, (which others won't accept because of the B/F implications obviously) - but the day I absolutely knew I was (unexpectedly) pregnant, I had all my SPD symptoms, sciatica, pelvic pain, sacro-illiac pain, I just knew... At that time it was so early and obviously no weight gain so it had to be the rush of hormones.
But also I'm not suffering so badly this time, and that has to be from the constant re-aligment from the osteo, so I really think both factors can be to blame.

Anyway, I'm really waffling now but having had this crap blight my life for so long I am just amazed to be 8 months gone and walking unaided and not suffering like before. Did I mention you should try osteopathy??

Getting scared reading posts here about how long it can take to recover from SPD after birth & can even be in a wheelchair "for some years" after. Eeek. I'm on crutches now but can't imagine coping with a newborn in a wheelchair or even on crutches. Help!

Lotster, how long were you recommended to wait before having a second baby? I would have thought two years was quite a long wait and would give time for your pelvis to heal after the first time?? I thought I had read somewhere to wait at least one year.

Hi there, as it's already bothering you I would waste no time at all, get your GP to refer you for physio too, but the wait can be a few weeks. So whether you choose chiro or osteo, start paying for it privately ASAP the more it takes hold, the harder it is to treat...

I've had physio and ostepoathy for SPD, but not Chiro. I have found Osteopathy to be the best personally.

Physio wise - the NHS one just gave me excerices and referral to a pilates class but very little hands on relief. The specialist women's physio one I saw privately did give me hands on relief and was quite good, but couldn't get me past a certain point when symptoms persisted for months after my first birth.

The Osteo (who I tried for the first time after my first birth and am seeing now still late in my second pregnancy), was what finally got to the bottom of things and helped me much more, rather than just treating the symptoms. He noticed that my sacrum was twisted after my forceps birth and straightened it through gentle manipulation. I went back to him as soon as I knew I was pregnant again, as last pregnancy being diagnosed with SPD around 6 months by the obstretric physio was the first I'd heard about it. By then it was too late to do much.

He has seen me every 2-3 weeks and yes it is expensive but I cannot put a price on the results.
I was so worried about how much worse it would be this time, (I rang the Pelvic Partnership in panicky tears when I found out I was preg less than two years after my son was born) had been told to leave a good gap, so was thinking I would be on crutches at least, with a toddler to care for, but it has honestly been SO much better for the treatment. It's like he resets me each time. Apart from weakness/soreness at night in bed and going for nighttime wees etc, I really can't complain in comparison to last time. I don't lift my son though unless I am seated so that probably helps a lot too.

The NHS physio I was referred to again this time hasn't been a waste though because she sorted me out a physio/pilates/pregnancy excercise class at the hospital and I think the combo of gentle strengthening excercises along with the osteo has helped.

The best SPD tip from the OB Physio, was always behave as if you have a short skirt and no knickers on (!!)
That way you'll remember to stay symmetrical, ladylike and considered in your movements, especially when getting up from sitting, the car etc.

Best of luck

I've been seeing a physio (unrelated problem) who specialises in spd. Her name is Alison Bartup, I've just seen her number listed (among others) on the 'pelvic partnership' website. www.downloads.pelvic-partnership.org.uk/tel_numbers.pdf She has had a lot of success using some new techniques based on recent research. Most physio's are not trained in spd so I'm not surprised you didn't have any joy the first time. Hope you get some relief.

Just to add that for me SPD pain peaked in mid-pregnancy and then actually improved somewhat. Obviously everyone is different, but there is hope!

Good luck, I know how horrible it is.

hmm I had physio with my first pregancy and it wasn't much use, though the physio didn't actually manipulate or re-align anything.

Just not sure of difference between osteo and chiro - will google it

Physio. There are a few physios who are trained in a special Canadian technique that apparently can really fix it.

A friend of mine had SPD really really badly, ended up in a wheelchair during her first pregnancy, and for a few years afterwards. She finally found a physio in London who was trained to deal with SPD properly, and was fixed. Next pregnancy, she had a few twinges, but no wheelchair or even crutches.

I got a referral to physio. When I was at your stage she was able to manipulate things to get my pelvis re-aligned and I had a few weeks' relief from pain but since 30wks I've been in agony again as ligaments are now too soft to stay in place and I've ended up on crutches (sorry, not what you wanted to hear, I'm sure!). As I've no experience of osteo/chiro, I can't be of much help to you, but take a look at the "would it be unreasonable for me to....." thread here, there are lots of recommendations for chiro on it. But why don't you give physio a go first as it might help you, and the best thing about it is it's free!