Has anyone avoided Spd in subsequent pregnancies?

[Pitapotamus]

I've had two dcs and terrible SPD in both pregnancies, on crutches and could barely walk for the last trimester both times. I'd love a third and I'm leaving a bigger age gap and training the kids up to dress themselves, climb into their car seats and be as independent as possible in preparation for being fairly immobile once again.

What I'm interested in is whether anyone has managed to strengthen up themselves pre-pregnancy and therefore lessen the affects of the SPD with some targeted physio type exercises. I can't actually go to a physio (no childcare and DH works long hours) but I'm looking for recommendations of particular exercises which would be manageable that I could do at home after the kids are in bed. I already do about 30 mins of physio exercises in the evenings for an unrelated injury so I'd like to add in a couple more specific exercises to that session.

Thank in advance for any suggestions!

[Featherybum]

I wasn't able to prevent it in my second pregnancy but did manage to avoid it getting as bad as first pregnancy (crutches and bed rest basically). I wore a brace as soon as symptoms started, did all the things I was meant to do / not do as per physio and the advice on the pelvic partnership and used alternating heat pillow and ice on the joint every night. It wasn't fun but no where near as bad, although I may have just been lucky with the way second baby was lying or something. Before I got pregnant this time I did lots of Pilates which to be honest put me in better physical shape than I've ever been, thoroughly recvomend it, so hoping to keep it at bay a third time. Good luck! X

[rhuhbarb4]

Terrible spd with first and even worse with the second (my ds1 was 4 months old when I fell with dd2) but then 18 months later I fell with dd3 and I didn't experience it. I had a few twinges and I thought oh god it's happening again but it didn't. The only piece of advice I have is to walk walk walk that's about the only thing I did.

[Pitapotamus]

Thanks - sounds like there might be some hope.

Rhubarb: Did you walk a lot before pregnancy or during? We're you advised to do that or was it just by chance?

Feathery: I'm going to look out some Pilates type exercises but not sure which ones would be best for SPD. Did you use a DVD or a class?

[rhuhbarb4]

Both I walked before my pregnancy but once I was pregnant I was advised to by my physiotherapist. She said that it should help to keep supple and it did. I walked around about a 2 miles a day other than the days that I was too exhausted.

[WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid]

Me - horrible spd with my first (girl). But fine with the second (boy).

No idea why and I've no intention of finding out what would happen if I had dc number 3.

[Featherybum]

I did classes at my local sports centre started off with beginners, lots of people recovering from hip surgery etc so I knew I was doing it right. Or more to the point I knew I wouldn't do it unless I went to a class as I am lazy!

[Havingkittens04]

I had it bad with my DD who's now 3.5 from around half way through and it was so sore when I walked, agony, but not debilitating.

With the baby boy I lost last year I was severely aching from around 12 weeks until we lost him at 17 weeks. It was so bad that by the end I was in a wheelchair.

Now I'm 20 weeks pg with no 3, again a boy, and I've only experienced it a handful of times so far, and mild to moderate pain every time

Sorry I have no advice, just sharing my experience, but it seems to just be luck of the draw? I had previously read that spd worsens with every subsequent pregnancy, but it doesn't necessarily seem to be the case?

[RandomMess]

Was horrific with DC3, with DC4 it started much earlier BUT it never got as bad because I knew what it was and followed the rules - lots and lots of rest, doing nothing to aggravate it, saw my fab osteopath straightaway and so on.

Yes it was still very sore and debilitating but didn't need crutches and wasn't excruciating - could actually still shuffle along ok. in pain but doable.

[Babney]

Does it go away as soon as baby is born?

I'm expecting my first & I'm finding it so hard physically plus people really don't understand how painful it can be.

[Havingkittens04]

babney I had such a rough ride of it with spd and sickness with DD that, as soon as she was born I felt amazing like I was myself again after such a long time but more super-womany

Really hope I get that 'ready to conquer the world' feeling again after delivering this lo. After the constant sickiness (without much vomiting this time) and insomnia I think I deserve it

I didn't know anyone else in rl who'd suffered with it either, it was only through forums that I discovered it was a real symptom and linked to being pg. Even my mw was useless and didn't know what to suggest x

[Havingkittens04]

I was still achy the day of delivery btw, having just given birth, but felt great soon after, within a day or so x

[PickledLilly]

I'm afraid nothing helped me. At the end of 2nd pregnancy now and I've tried everything - yoga/Pilates before and during pregnancy, support belt (seemed to make the pain worse?!) massages, keeping active. Still in agony. It took well over a year for my hips to recover last time, I'm really hoping for a speedier recovery this time with a newborn and a toddler to run around after!

[Babney]

That's reassuring to know I'll soon get back to myself after birth.

I don't know how people management with a young baby or toddler on subsequent pregnancies.

[MrsHulk]

Babney - sorry but it may not get better after the birth! Mine improved massively, but had still not cleared up by 16 months after the birth (I then got pregnant again, so it's worse at the moment).

Physio, postnatal Pilates, and seeing a chiropractor or osteopath who specialises in PGP can really help, but don't assume it will just magically get better after birth - I did and was very disappointed.

[newmummyagain]

Yes I did. It was worse with my second and I still suffered when he was 2 years old. I went to the physio and really strengthened the muscles. My third and forth pregnancies were much better on that front.

I'll be honest I couldn't describe the exercises very well, they're very specific. But it was only one session and I just repeated at home, so no need for lots of sessions. I would recommend giving it a go.

[Babney]

Ah here's hoping it gets better.

I'm wide awake from being in pain trying to turn over in bed.

Other people are driving me mad with comments such as last few weeks are the toughest etc. They just don't understand what PGP is!
If it wasn't for it, I would be in great form.
Also how did birth go with PGP? Did the pelvis relax?
I can't open my legs wide now so I'm getting a bit anxious.
Also have a wax booked & I honestly don't know if I'll be able for it!

[newmummyagain]

I found it okay during delivery, the midwife knew but to be honest you tend to forget about it as labour pain trumps it. But you have to be careful not to damage more. I'm sure the midwife was considering it, j just wasn't aware. I found the pain went massively immediately after son was born, he was big and I was carrying a lot of water too.

I had pain afterwards during my period rather than all the time. Doctor didn't believe that was possible but when I got to physio she agreed it does happen. The hormones affect your ligaments.

[PickledLilly]

Might be worth putting in your birth plan not to use stirrups etc as they forced me into stirrups even as I was telling them not to and trying to scream that it was hurting me and I wonder if that's why my hips took so long to recover because they wouldn't listen

[cockadoodledoooo]

Bad spd that disappeared after birth of dd1 then on crutches from few months with dd2 and wheelchair from 5 months and delivered 3 weeks early as I couldn't take the pain anymore. Still on crutches and daily medication/exercises 3 years after birth of dd2. To scared to have another!!!!

[kiki22]

Me I worked out 3 times a week and walked everywhere kept my weight down pre pregnancy kept it up my whole pregnancy I done my last fitness class 4 days before delivery it kept it from happening I'm sure it was because I was so much stronger that before. First time round I could hardly walk form 10 mins never mind an hour of high impact.

I did feel the weakness in my pelvis second time I had to be careful when turning over getting out of the car and running but it never got bad.

[MrsHulk]

You know in the excitement of labour the midwives can forget about your requirements eg not to use stirrups. I literally had a letter from the hospital physio stapled to my birth plan (with big pictures showing what I could and couldn't do) and it was totally ignored. I was so exhausted/drugged up that I couldn't coherently object or stop them from using stirrups etc.

Make sure that your birth partner knows in detail what you need, and that they are ready and willing to intervene!

[PickledLilly]

Yes ^ this. Brief your birth partner so they can speak up for you.

[NovemberInDailyFailLand]

It won't necessarily happen. I've not suffered at all with this baby, but DC2 I did.