SPD sufferers - has anyone successfully avoided a repeat of SPD in future pregnancies?

[CocoDeBearisCocoDeBear]

Is there any way of avoiding SPD, if you've had it with one pregnancy?

For example, has anyone found that Pilates before conception has helped, or yoga, or ... well I'm stumped, but basically is it inevitable or is it avoidable?

I would so love to have 3 DC, and will regret it for ever if I don't, but the pain of SPD scared me, frankly.

I didnt do anything differently with DS2 but had no SPD second time around - maybe I was just lucky? It might not happen or might not be as bad the next time.

Did you have any treatment during your 1st pg, eg physio?

I've not had it 2nd time around and, like schneebly, i've not done anything differently. I did yoga when I got it first time round and found it helped - although I did have to do the opposite to most of the class - as they were all working on opening their pelvic area - while i worked on it being closed. Have done it again this time - but think it's just luck that I've not got it.

i lost a lot of weight between pg's- no return of the dreaded spd until i was in labour- then my hips/pelvis hurt like hell!

I had it at 35weeks with DS2 and ended up with crutches and now at 22 weeks am feeling a lot of the pain that i had then but not as bad. I have an appointment with osteopath next week and am hoping that i won't suffer again. Hope you get more replies here, would be interested to know x

I had it at 35weeks with DS2 and ended up with crutches and now at 22 weeks am feeling a lot of the pain that i had then but not as bad. I have an appointment with osteopath next week and am hoping that i won't suffer again. Hope you get more replies here, would be interested to know x

Am starting Pilates, have a hunch it might help.

I had it much worse, and much earlier second time around (ended up using a wheelchair by 30 weeks) - I really do think it's luck of the draw.

However, if you do get it second time around, you are much more likely to bang on the table and get treatment for it - my experience this time around was so different, because I refused to be fobbed off.

Califrau, did your SPD resolve itself quickly after the birth?

I ended up taking 3 months sick leave with my last pregnancy because of the pain, there's no way I can do that again without risking my job, but maybe I'm kidding myself in thinking SPD can be avoided.

OMG a wheelchair . What did you do at night, ejt? Could you sleep in bed, or did you have to sleep upright?

I had SPD slighttly with dc2 in the last few weeks, and badly with dc3 from 20 weeks. I did pilates until 20 weeks with dc3 (stared about a yr before I fell pg), so it didn't prevent spd, but may have stalled it somewhat.

I agree the pain is frightening, and so hard when you have other lo's to look after.
I found chiropractic of some use, but most effective with the pain was acupunture (despite my initial scepticism). That and really not moving unless I had to go t me through my 3rd pg.

I would do it again as dc3 is obviously so worth it, but the prospect of SPD would terrify me tbh.
Good luck with yout decision - I feel for you.

Aw shit. And my god, how awful for you .

Did you have a natural birth with pg2? I'd be tempted to ask for a CS this time, at around 38 wks.

Do you mean you have maternity physio sessions? That's good. Although they obviously didn't do all that much for you... Did you have a support belt?

thanks for replying Califrau, I'd rather hear the truth, however bad, and make an informed decision about another pg even if it is not good news.

I had it with DS2 and was in agony, nothing really worked, but it went as soon as he was born and only use to get the odd niggle if out running. Now 32 weeks with DC3 and no sign of it yet I also thought twice about 3rd but my broodiness got to much!

I had reflexology regularly with DS2 and that gave some relief.

Coco - I haven't exactly avoided it this time but because I know what to look for I'm taking evasive action and it hasn't been allowed to get worse (fingers crossed).

I'm also finding that the level of fitness I achieved between babies is helping me - my legs are still toned and so my pelvis is very well supported and my posture is definitely better these days.

I had SPD quite badly with DS2 but not with DS3. The only thing I can think that off may have helped was that I was really active when pregnant with DS3, whereas with DS 2 we were having a house renovation and I took to just sitting around relaxing, taking it easy and my pelvis/hips really seized up. Ante natal swimming helped a bit for a day or so after the session. 3rd time round I just walked and walked and walked to keep my pelvis open.

Just to let you know... they are now calling it PGP (Pelvic Girdle Pain).

I'm on pregnancy 3 and it's the worst by far but then again I have two toddlers to look after so it would be as I don't really sit down. In fact it's a catch 22 - sit down and rest you seize up and it's agony getting up or moving your legs, keep active and when you do eventually stop it's worse!

Support belt does sod all just annoys me, had maternity physio last time not that great TBH told me to not lift anything and rest! Am toying between chiropracter/osteopath/physio now anyone saw someone who has actually made it better.

Great article on PGP on babycentre.co.uk

thanks for all these replies.

Acupuncture I have always been suspicious of, but willing to give it a try.

Ruby, I found my SPD cleared up after I stopped BF last time, even though everyone in the medical profession told me there was no link between the two. But it was instantaneous, so I'm convinced it was not coincidence. If the SPD was very bad, I would be tempted not to BF no 3 for very long.

Interesting to hear that exercise really might help. Even during the pg after the SPD has come on? I stopped moving once the SPD kicked in last time.

Any link with ventouse deliveries? I had a comfortable first pg, then a ventouse, then SPD with no 2.