An induction over a caesarian for spd/pgp?

[Jodiexsummer]

Hi girls,
I’m currently 32 weeks with my second baby and have been signed off work since 16 weeks with pelvic pain, it’s now gotten to the stage where I have been housebound for the last 2 months, have crutches and each step or turn over in bed is complete agony! My gp suggested to me quite early on that I should think of having a caesarian to lower the risk of damaging my pelvis any further, especially as my first birth was very long, was very nearly a caesarian but ended up having forceps instead. However after speaking to the consultant today she refuses to give me a caesarian, saying it’s a very risky operation with too many risks but she would let me be induced at 39 weeks instead?
I just don’t know how to feel about it all really, does anyone have any experience with giving birth while having spd? I’m petrified I will do further damage and I know everyone’s experience is different to having an induction but does anyone have any positive stories? Thanks so much x x

Doesn't SPD mean some positions in labour may be problematic and you may be in pain widening your legs? I'm no expert but I'd read this somewhere, so has this been discussed with you?

Hiya thanks for your reply!
Yeah both my midwife and physio have measured the distance that I can move my legs apart (was only a few cm) and previous knee operation mean I can’t go on all fours either.. when I mentioned this she said that with pain relief I would be able to move my legs apart just enough for the baby to be delivered and the midwives would be careful not to pull me about sort of thing! Xx

Is there something specific about your medical history that makes a caesarian especially risky? It sounds like there are some pretty serious risks associated with vaginal birth for you, with the potential to cause you long-term harm. I'd be surprised if you weren't allowed to make your own mind up about whether those risks were more palatable to you than the usual risks of an elective caesarian. If the consultant is suggesting you won't get to make that choice I suggest you ask they refer you to another consultant.

Are you on Facebook?
There are two amazing support groups on there!
So many woman who are going through or have been through this
So much experience and advice on there!

The names are

Spd/PGP And hypermobility in pregnancy

Support for pregnancy pelvic pain (spd symphysis pubic dysfunction)

I'm in the groups so hope to see you there!
Honestly so much support, you'll get plenty of replies if you post I'm sure!

Hi RatRolyPoly :) no nothing in my medical history that would mean an elective section would be any more risky to me than anyone else!
I did walk out of there quite annoyed :( I did mention on a few occasions if I could choose I would choose a caesarian and the consultant seemed to just start naming all the possibilities that could go wrong with a c section; blood clots, damage to organs even.. she said she knows many women with spd who have given birth vaginally and that it would be really within my best interest.
Completely different to what my gp has said? I’m starting to think if it’s a money issue because Caesarians are significantly more expensive I don’t know what to do xx

Aww I am on Facebook that’s brilliant thank you! ❤️ Xx

Ask to see another consultant. C-section sounds like a no-brainier for you. If you can’t have an active labour, surely better to have a section and preserve your pelvic health?

I have no idea why they do it Jodie, a representative of my local hospital was on the radio the other day and gave the costs of each and a caesarian wasn't much more expensive at all! £1500 as opposed to £1200 on average.

I had the same thing with my first section though; the doctor told me I might die on the table, I might need a hysterectomy, future pregnancies might end in stillbirth... They didn't tell me any such things for the induction that I was mid way through! I had the section anyway because the induction we terrible (although I know many people have completely lovely inductions) and they kept losing DS's heartbeat so I was scared. I had a second planned section and the doctor was lovely, said it was totally my choice, and I had nothing at all stopping me from having a vaginal birth that time round.

Did the doctor explain how (or even IF) an induction at 39 weeks would make a vaginal delivery less risky for you?

Having had a previous vaginal delivery, another vaginal delivery is by far the safer option for you.
The treatment for pelvic girdle pain is not a Caesarean, it is careful positioning in normal labour - in fact sufferers usually have a shorter, easier labour as their pelvic bones are widened. There is no evidence at all that a caesarean will prevent further damage to your pelvis in terms of your pgd. Your consultant has given you the correct medical advice.
(From a different obstetric consultant)

Oh really I naively assumed they were more expensive! That does sound so scary, glad your other second planned section was a bit more relaxed!
In regards to being induced at 39 weeks she said that it would be planned and I could have an epidural as soon as labour began which does sound reassuring but when asking about my future pelvic health she said the midwives would be very gentle with me..

Thanks for your reply Nan0second :) Thys interesting to hear! I know that the pelvis opens anyway for birth but for some reason I’ve worried myself by reading too much on google that you can do yourself more damage and be stuck in a wheelchair afterwards!

Ill have a chat with my midwife over the next few days and see what she thinks xx

Hi OP, I was offered section or induction at 39 weeks and I took induction. I looped a ribbon around my knees to stop my legs being opened too far whilst I had an epidural and wrote very carefully on my birth plan that I was NOT to be put in stirrups. Managed to give birth on my side absolutely fine. I was in a wheelchair from 22 weeks pregnant and off work from 16 weeks.

To have a c-section means they must cut through your abdominal wall and stretch your core muscles, both of which you will need to regain your mobility. So your recovery could be longer/more painful after surgery. Just something to bear in mind x

Hi OP, I was offered section or induction at 39 weeks and I took induction. I looped a ribbon around my knees to stop my legs being opened too far whilst I had an epidural and wrote very carefully on my birth plan that I was NOT to be put in stirrups. Managed to give birth on my side absolutely fine. I was in a wheelchair from 22 weeks pregnant and off work from 16 weeks.

To have a c-section means they must cut through your abdominal wall and stretch your core muscles, both of which you will need to regain your mobility. So your recovery could be longer/more painful after surgery. Just something to bear in mind x

I had a c sec because I was confined to a wheelchair during the last two months of pregnancy. Like you I had my physio and midwife measure and look at what positions I could give birth in and recommended a c sec.
Yes you can open your pelvis wider with pain relief however that doesn't mean you should as you could be causing permanent damage to your pelvis without you realising , having said that many women give birth naturally with spd and fully recover and with my c sec it took me ages to recover since my muscles had been cut open so there was even less support for my pelvis it the months following the birth.
Half the time I'm glad I had a section and the other half of me wishes I had tried a vaginal delivery and maybe I wouĺdve still been ok.
I think you should do as much research as possible and then decide what you think is best.

I also second the ribbon thing
That's my plan this time!!!

Thanks for the replies! The ribbon thing definitely sounds like a good idea!
My spd has worsened over the past 3 days and I haven’t been able to walk one foot in front of the other without yelping in pain so currently shuffling around :(
Really hope after birth I’ll feel a little better,
Thanks again! X