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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

SPD permanent damage

8 replies

Kellykpx · 12/09/2020 22:12

Hi everyone.

I developed SPD in my last pregnant 4 years old. I could barely walk without crutches. I had a traumatic birth which led to me giving birth in stirrups which alone with my spd has just permantly damaged me. Even 4 years after giving birth I can't walk for more than about 15 mins without being in bad pelvic/hip pain. I did have hip problems before I became pregnant but no body took me seriously. Since then I have told I have hypermobilty in my hip and generally usless ligaments.
I'm now 13 weeks with my second child and it has already started again. The midwife has said I can request a C section this time to avoid to much damage to my pelvis but as its not a problem with the baby they probably won't do it till my due date.
I'm worried because my first son was early (spontaneous) and I'm worried I will go into natural labour this time before I can have a section and pretty much be crippled. I couldn't walk at all for 5 weeks after my last birth and I wanted to die because i couldn't be in that excruciating pain forever.
Had anyone had spd and then had continuous problems after birth and THEN gone on to have a natural birth second time and ended up with no more problems from it.
I don't think my pelvis can handle another birth

OP posts:
TitianaTitsling · 12/09/2020 22:24

I don't know if this is helpful, but due to hypermobility- planned csect in place from start, went into labour 3 weeks before this, still gave me a csect, just classed it as a crash section. Had dreadful spd in pregnancy and hips awful now so I feel for you!

physicskate · 12/09/2020 22:25

I'm really sorry you've been through all that. I had terrible spd with my first. I'm now 11 weeks pregnant with number 2 and it started a couple is weeks ago for me. Turning in bed and standing on one leg are already a problem...

About 6 months post partum last time, my right leg was still giving out once or twice a day. My midwife had suggested I see an osteopath after pregnancy, so at that point I bit the bullet. I saw an osteopath who specialises in pregnancy issues. She fixed me to 95% in two sessions. I still had the odd ache in my symphesis pubis (in fact I suspected I might be pregnant again because it flared up when I was doing yoga...).

I told her about my experience and how it had really put me off future children because I was told that nothing could be done during pregnancy (I'd been told nothing could be done/ to suffer through etc...). She was visibly upset by my story. I think she was angry on my behalf. She said she was reasonably confident she could keep me from need crutches in any future pregnancies I might have.

I have an appointment with her in a week and a half.

Sorry if this is teaching grandma to suck eggs: have you visited the pelvic partnership website??

You have every right to give birth in the manner you choose.

Mamaanxiety · 13/09/2020 01:40

I had SPD with my 3rd and 4th pregnancy. I had natural births for both. I went to see a chiropractor during my 4th which helped a bit. I think the thing that helped the most though was the pelvic binders I used before and after pregnancy. I do still have a bit of pelvic pain when I move certain ways too quickly but for the most part I feel fairly stable. My midwife told me to do exercises that strengthen the muscles around the pelvis that way they help stabilize the joints as well. I’m so sorry you are having to deal with SPD. It definitely was not a fun experience for myself when I had it.

teezletangler · 13/09/2020 01:51

This sounds excruciating OP.

Have you contacted Pelvic Partnership for support?

What therapies have you had in the meantime?

Brandaris · 13/09/2020 02:06

Op, make sure your notes say you will be having a c section, and tell your midwife about your worry about starting labour early. They will hopefully reassure you and say to come into hospital at the first sign of labour and explain your need for a section so you won’t have to give birth vaginally.

SmartPinkShoes · 13/09/2020 02:08

I didnt have any birth injury or experience like yours after the birth. But I do experience spd symptoms from before I pee on a stick, so I can only comment on how to improve your experience durung pregnancy. I know that not the question you asked, but I know from experience that it can be better with careful management.

You don't say if you are already, but you need to be strict about spd protocols, from the moment you find out you're pregnant, ideally, but def from right now.

Start a specific spd program ASAP. I did one that was 20 mins of various exercises on a ball every night until 14 weeks, then started a pregnancy pilates course with a women's health physio. You can do these online.

If you are extremely strict, you can have a better experience. It sounds like your experience was very severe last time and exacerbated by the badly managed delivery, but you should be able to avoid that extreme.

Things I followed religiously on my 2nd and 3rd pregnancy (and made a massive difference) :

-No walking. Walking is not good for unstable hips. I would literally only walk from door to car - pretend you're a celeb in sky-high heels!

-No sitting with my hips lower than my knees (no soft sofas)

-No crossing my legs

-No heels.

-no hoovering, mopping or pushing a trolley. Nothing that involves shifting weight and leading with one hip

-avoid picking up other children, and never hold on your hip. I would bend down to my toddler's level and have them sit on my knee for cuddles.

-No throwing yourself into bed - sit on the side, then swing legs in. Same for turning in bed - legs together and roll

-get a physio and a support belt. Belts are generally not recommended til later in pregnancy, but for some of us they're recommended early, particularly for anytime you need to walk

I am long past the baby stage now, and I'm not as disciplined with those sorts of hip healthy things I used to be so strict about. I have quite a bit of hip instability and pain that I know I need to manage better.

Kellykpx · 13/09/2020 07:47

Thank you everyone.
I have been doing my own exercises because the physio here as a bit of a back log due to covid still.
I think I might pay and see an osteopath and see if they can help.
I hate that they say you just have to put up with it when it's so dibilitating! I'm sure my birth was worse last time because of the stirrups and I also had a 3rd degree tear and also a clitoral tear and had to be stitched theatre so I'm sure this time it could be better but I am now worried of the unknown and my recovery last time was as bad as a section recovery I am sure of it.
My midwife has asked the hospital that I have a debrief from my previous birth because she said they should under no circumstances make anyone use stirrups unless you're having forceps etc which I didn't.

OP posts:
teezletangler · 13/09/2020 20:59

I would strongly urge you to see an osteopath or chiropractor who is knowledgeable about pregnancy and PGP. It can make such a difference!

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