3rd Pregnancy, Worried about SPD again.

[MrsPaynie]

Hey :-) So I've just found out we're pregnant again, it was a total suprise as I was on the pill! We had decided not to have anymore as I had awful SPD with the last two pregnancies so didnt want to risk it again. However, I am absolutely over the moon to be expecting again!
With my first pregnancy I didnt develop SPD until around 25 weeks or thereabouts, but it was terrible. Luckily it went away straight after the birth. I wasnt so lucky the second time around, it had started by 9 weeks and I was on crutches from around 15 weeks :-( It didnt even go away after I gave birth, Ive still had problems on and off for the last two years when Ive over done it on exercise or just walked a little too far.
So yeah, I am actually terrified about how much it is going to affect me this time around. Has anyone else had SPD the third time around? How bad did it get? I've already come to terms with the fact I dont think its ever going to go away now, I just need to prepare myself for how Im going to cope this time. My DS is just about to turn 4 and my DD is just 2, so hard work as it is! x

I've got 4 DC. SPD in pg 2 & 3 - I was dreading DC4. However, it wasn't too bad ... I pre-empted a lot of the issues, by:

1. Buying my own crutches - so I could use them when I wanted rather than wait.
2. Buying a roll of mega size K or L tubigrip. I wore this constantly - a double layer from mid thigh to under bust. I'd tried all sorts of pelvic support belts before but the tubigrip was more comfortable and more supportive.
3. Hiring a wheelchair from the British Cross. So we could go out as a family. I could also potter around if I needed to.
4. Hiring an electric wheelchair from any shopping centre/National Trust/garden we went to - again, so we could still go out, or I could pootle round the shops without the DC.
5. Doing lots of internet shopping.
6. Making regular osteopathy appointments throughout.
7. Using a Puttams knee pillow at night, and sleeping on a memory foam mattress topper.

I'd also got very fit in between, my core muscles were much stronger than before I had DC1. I also saw a physio occasionally, but tbh the osteopath would do more - exercises, manipulation and massage.

It just felt a lot easier than with DC3 - it was definitely there, and painful, but my expectations had been so low that anything was an improvement. I felt much more in control - I knew I knew more than the MW/GP/physio about my SPD and how it affected me and doing that ^^ stuff would help.

I am currently 14+4 with DC3 and I also have a DD who is 4 and DS who is 2. I have started to get my SPD mildly already when I do a lot of walking, it started at about 11 weeks. it's not too bad at th moment, I have stopped walking into the high stret as its about a mile and that's when I can feel it. I have also found that wearing my Birkenstocks has helped. It's early days at the moment, I'll let you know what it's like at 20 weeks!

Hi I'm expecting dc5 and also worried, with each pregnancy my spd has appeared earlier. This time I have tried to strengthen my core muscles before ttc and will try to be careful with things like getting in and out of car and too much walking. Sooo glad you started this thread :)

Thanks ladies for your replies :-) I already have the support belt and crutches from previous pregnancies, and I do feel a lot more prepared knowing all the tricks and exercies etc, so Im hoping I do cope with it better. I know what you mean when you say that you know more about your spd than the midwives etc. I was lucky last time that my last midwife had also suffered spd so she understood, I have come accross those in the past that have just shrugged it off as another one of those pregnancy pains :-S
Ive lost a lot of weight (just over 6 stone) since having my daughter 2 years ago, so Im also hoping that that might help my body to cope with it better. Im determined not to put on too much this time either.
Well here's hoping we all have a relativly pain free few months ahead of us! xx