SPD/PGP and VBAC?

[MyCatDrinksFlatWhites]

I'm 21 weeks pregnant and had an EMCS for failed induction/failure to progress last time. I originally wanted an ELCS this time round but have been seriously considering VBAC. However, I've now developed bad pelvic pain which I suspect is PGP or SPD, and I am really struggling.

Going to get midwife advice on what to do about the pain and have got good advice from a physio friend but am wondering whether a VBAC is likely to make things worse and whether I should just go for the ELCS? Would be interested to hear from anyone who has had a vaginal birth, VBAC or otherwise, with pelvic problems, and whether you would have rather had a section... (Consultant has been excellent and is v clear that the choice is mine.)

Hi OP. Congratulations on your pregnancy! I'm sorry to hear you're in pain.

I had awful PGP which left me housebound from about 20 weeks when I was pregnant. To be fair, I had pre-existing joint problems which I suspect made things worse.

Due to the pre-existing problems, (but mostly the PGP), I was booked in for ELCS. Unfortunately, (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it!) baby had other plans and made an early appearance too quickly for the CS so we had a vaginal birth.

I still suffer pretty badly from pain in my hips, but it's impossible to say whether the birth aggravated them or whether things would have been easier with an ELCS. Clearly they can bring different issues.

In conclusion, I can't really help you to decide, but I wish you a safe and healthy birth, and I hope your PGP doesn't get worse. Oh for what it's worth, I had pre-natal hydrotherapy on the NHS as it was so bad, and I found that really helped as it takes all the weight off your pelvis.

Thank you! Anyone else with experience of this?

I've got a nearly 6 month old. Suffered badly with pgp. Symptoms started around 11/12 weeks. Crutches at around 28 weeks. Effectively housebound by 33 weeks...

I had a vaginal birth. I walked out of hospital, which was amazing. 'They' said birth tends to be fairly easy with pgp as everything is already very loose. I had a horrendous 3 and a half day labour. We ended up with forceps and an episiotomy, which still hurts a bit sometimes. I still can't walk more than about a mile without some pain, but can keep walking. It's nowhere near as bad as before. I'm seeing an osteopath in the near future and am hopeful I can get further improvement.

No guarantees I wouldn't still have pain if I'd had a c section...

Oh dear, @physicskate, that is not encouraging - hope things improve for you.

Hello, I had PGP in both my pregnancies but both times it had improved significantly by end of pregnancy (still had it though) You should ask midwife for referral to physio (unless you can self refer in your area as I had this in pregnancy 1 and it helped

Like you I had EMCS first time around. Opted for vbac for 2nd and it was fine (in terms of the PGP issue) I did have a very quick labour and spent hardly any time on my back apart from pushing stage which was very quick so that helped

I had severe PGP with DC2 after an emergency c-section with DC1. I wanted a VBAC but was booked for a section as also had gestational diabetes and they wouldn't let me go overdue. As it happened, DC2 arrived of his own accord a couple of days before my due date. Having a VBAC was definitely better than another section, the recovery was much quicker and the PGP (and the GD!) disappeared instantly so was in far less pain straight afterwards.

I don't think the PGP is made better or worse by the mode of delivery.

My PGP was dreadful from around 9 weeks and whenever I took a step I was at risk of doing the splits because everything just felt so loose. I had an ELCS due to baby being footling breech so it wasn't really an option for vaginal delivery. He's nearly 5 months and I still get pelvic pain and occasional loose ligaments which can make shopping or walking painful. The pelvic region under my mons pubis still grinds when stepping or laying on my side.

I was told it goes away after pregnancy but no one ever told me that it would be immediate. Like most injuries though I expect gentle exercise to strengthen the supporting muscles will help.

I had SPD (same as PGP I think) from early on in my first pregnancy due to already being hypermobile. It was manageable throughout pregnancy and I managed to have a water birth with no complications. I felt the water really helped as it supported my joints, and to be honest I didn't really notice any pain in my pelvis or hips once I found a comfortable position in the water.

It's much worse this time round, sometimes I really struggle to walk. But I am still aiming for another water birth.

Thanks everyone - sounds like mode of delivery isn't going to be a deal breaker either way. Just can't believe it started so early!