Experiences of SPD with second baby? Worse?

[Pantheon]

My dh and I are thinking about having a second baby soon. I had SPD the first time from about 16 weeks. Is there any way of avoiding it? If I worked on strengthening my core before getting pregnant, would that help? Thanks for any advice

I had it really badly with my first. Saw a chiropractor (a very good chiropractor) and didnt get it during my second pregnancy. Not sure if the two are linked. I was more active during my second pregnancy though and leading up to it

Nah you can't avoid it. I didn't have it worse but I did get it earlier. I didn't get it till 20 weeks with the first and got it at 16 wks with the second. So you may notice no difference but I doubt it'll be any better. Your core has nothing to do with it, as far as I recall. It's a pelvic issue.

Just get referred to a physio early on, it doesn't cure it but it helps a bit.

Disappeared with second birth and have had zero issues since so it was purely pregnancy related.

Mine wasn't too bad with my first, was worse with my second, and worse again with my third. Spent a lot of time wearing the most unglamorous giant supportive things around me.
Decided not to have 4th child for variety of reasons, but one was that I couldn't risk not being able to walk during pregnancy. (With third preganancy I could just about cross a road, but no further without agonising pain)

Mine was horrendous with both but I was that small percentage who never recovered from it and I still have the crotch pain and one very painful hip now, 7 years on.

Mine was worse with no.2, but for other reasons I slept most of the pregnancy so I was about to phone the wheelchair hire company again when it turned out I was actually in labour. Dc2 was two weeks early, thank goodness.

An osteopath helped, so when I saw the perinatal physios they were impressed at everything being in a straight line, but I soon couldn't walk without a maternity belt.

Mine was particularly bad both times, thanks to undiagnosed hypermobility. Multiple consultants asked if I was thinking of more kids and were very relieved I wasn't, as they wouldn't like to bet on me being able to walk again.

As it is, I can walk fine but standing gets sore, especially at certain times of month.

I had SPD with my first and had to finish work earlier than planned. I was told with my second that I would be highly likely to get it again and worse, so to allow for that with my maternity leave. As it happened, I had a little bit of it earlier on. But then it went and I was fine for the last trimester! My early maternity leave was wasted unfortunately! So I wouldn’t assume you were going to get it again

Thanks for all your replies, and sorry to hear some people are still having problems after pregnancy. I think I'll just have to prepare for it to happen again and know who to call/what to try.

I was still suffering a fair bit with mine six years after having DS1. Then I got pregnant with DS2, was dreading it getting worse - but it actually improved! I have no explanation for this but I'm not complaining!

I had a very bad with my first baby I haven't had a second baby yet, however I know from what the physio has said and I've been doing a year of rehabilitation stuff that the key is to strengthen all of the muscles around your pelvis... so your core, your inner thighs, outer hip, your glutes--- the stronger they are the more likely they will be to stabilise your pelvis but I don't think you can stop it.

Let me know if you want some exercise suggestions

Had it* not had a

Watching with interest as SPD is the main reason I've said I'm not having any more children. DS is 14 weeks now and I'm still in pain.

I saw a chiropractor weekly from the day I found out I was pregnant the second time. Still got it, but it wasn't as debilitating. If you can afford it, I think proactive steps from the start, even if you aren't feeling any symptoms yet, is the way forward.A good chrome will help keep you properly aligned so that the accompanying pain doesn't hit you.

Amazedmummy - my DS is 13 months and I would say it's only last month I've felt a decent improvement. Please do see physio and osteopath as mine hasn't got better on its own. The osteopath helped reset my pelvis and back and the physio has been working on strength building exercises. It's been a terrible journey

Glad to hear that @Roomba and would love to know what exercises to try @doadeer, thanks.

I will look into chiropractors and osteopaths near me who treat spd/pregnant women.

I found that I would get SPD flare ups for around a week just before my period while I was still breastfeeding. But luckily not since I stopped.

Mine was horrendous in my second pregnancy and absolutely unbearable in y third. I was in a wheel chair and practically house bound from 6 months
My baby is now four weeks old and I feel as good as new!!!!!!! I think it's just something I had to deal with and think of the end

Sure!

Clam - to strengthen outer hip muscles

Toe taps/ leg extensions - to work lower abdominal

Shoulder bridge - to work glues

Squats - to work glues

Pilates hip twist level 1 - to work inner thighs

I've tried to attach pics

10 reps of each daily... But very slow and mindful of your form. Really important to engage your pelvic floor and use your core muscles to lead the movement

Anyone who reads this thread... Those exercises are not for if you actively have SPD and are pregnant. They are for post natal or pre pregnancy!

Mine has started earlier this pregnancy (2nd) but because I knew this time how bad it can get I was much more proactive about treating it. Have been seeing a chiropractor and a Physio each weekly since the second trimester and that's keeping it manageable.

I’m final trimester in my second pregnancy. Had some bad flare ups final trimester with my first. When I started in excruciating pain at 17 weeks this pregnancy, struggling to walk or sleep, I honestly cried and thought it was game over as it was so unbearable I thought I might have to stop work etc. Driving in particular was causing flare ups and I drive a lot for work and work full time.

I’ve been doing exercises - and helpfully baby is not wedged as far in my pelvis as she had been a few weeks ago. I’m actually feeling ok and like it is manageable (touch wood!) at 32 weeks.

I think every pregnancy is different, but would also say the exercises like pelvic tilts, alignment and strengthening exercises help. Good posture also helps. As well as a cushion between legs in bed - and being mindful to keep legs together when getting up and down.

I had it with my first but didn't get much help. In my second pregnancy it was worse but saw a good physio. Between my 2nd and 3rd I carried on doing the exercises I was given and then in my 3rd pregnancy it was actually the best pregnancy from a SPD point of view.

I didn't have it with my second

Thanks @doadeer! I will try those. Interesting to read everyone's experiences, thanks.