2nd pregnancy, SPD in first

[SpanielFace]

I'm 15+5 weeks pregnant with DC2. With DS, I developed SPD, starting at around 16 weeks. It grumbled on throughout pregnancy, made walking very painful, but never got as bad as some - I didn't need crutches, for example. It didn't really settle until DS was about 9 months, and took some effort (I found Pilates really helped with this). DS is now 20 months.

I've been ok so far this time, but rolled over in bed this morning and felt a niggle and thought "Oh shit!". I have been told I'll probably get it again, but I'm terrified of it being worse this time, especially with a very active toddler to chase around!

So far I've been being very careful to keep my knees together & avoid anything that might set it off. I've not started wearing a support belt yet, not sure if I should start before I get any symptoms, or wait and see? Last time I was given a tubigrip by the NHS physio, which I found fairly useless as it just rolled down in late pregnancy - does anyone have a proper support belt? If so, which one? There are so many out there!

Does anyone have a link to the Physio exercises? It's been a while since I've done them & I could do with a refresher.

Lastly, I had an emergency CS last time, as DS turned out to be footling breech but missed until I was well into labour. This time, I will be offered the choice of VBAC or elective CS. I would like to try for a VBAC, but does anyone know which is the better option if I do have SPD again?

Thank you!

hi and congratulations on your pregnancy!
im 32+5 week pg with dc no2 wand was diagnosed with spd around 20 weeks. I bypassed the mw and gpt a physiotherapy referal straight from drs was seen wthin a week! Unfortunately ive ended ip with crutches and had to finish work early but the good thing is my physio has said there was will be no issues with a natural delivery poss need to be on all fours or crouched kneeling position. saying that I didnt have spd with dc no1 abd had a natural birth then also.
fx for you id get the ball rolling with the physio dept asap before you get to painful - crutches and toddler don't mix well trust me lol xx

I had SPD in my first pregnancy, and have it again (much earlier) now. Wear the support belt - it stops you over-extending and putting things out of place. I have to wear mine all the time - even in bed :(. On the plus side though, I'm still pretty mobile, so it does work!

I had SPD really badly with my first pregnancy, ended up on crutches. With my 2nd and 3rd pregnancies I still got SPD, however not nearly as bad and I managed without crutches, could still go for walks etc. I was more careful those times, always slept with pillow between knees etc, but the pain definitely wasn't as bad, so you might not get it as badly this time. (Incidentally DC1 was a girl and DCs 2 and 3 were boys - don't know if that had anything to do with it, as had HG with DD as well, but nothing with the boys...)
This pregnancy my SPD kicked in around 17 weeks and I am already finding it really painful am going to ask for a physio appointment when I see my midwife next week.

I have friends who suffered horribly with spd needing crutches and then unable to walk at the end. Both went onto have spd free pregnancies. Unfortunately it will be a waiting game to see what happens.

Had spd- but not severely, managed with mahoosive belt and being careful with movements, although it was still incredibly painful if I did the "wrong" thing - with ds1.

A few twinges but nothing to speak of with ds2 (not even belt needed).

It's now different again with this dc3. I started to get sore and clunky at about 14 weeks, so went carefully with movements and slept with pillow between knees etc. From 18 weeks onwards it hasn't got any worse. I'm 34 weeks now and if anything it's a bit better.

It might not get worse for you, fingers crossed and good luck.

Thank you, that's really reassuring - I was under the impression that I was almost guaranteed to get it this time, and that it would probably be worse, so it's great to know that isn't always the case.

Does anyone know if there is any benefit to wearing a support belt before any symptoms develop, or is it better to wait and see?