Can SPD be prevented? Is there anything that can be done in advance?

[IlanaK]

I am currently contemplating a fourth pregnancy. I had SPD with number 2 and 3. Fairly severly both times. The last time, I was so immobile for the last three months that it was an enormous problem.

I really can't imagine managing with that level of immobility with three kids to look after.

So, before I get pregnant, is there anything i can do to prevent it or lessen it next time? And is there anything i can do in early pregnancy to help?

No-one?

Hi, I posted a while ago on this. I've copied and pasted my tips...I managed to get a physio referral very early from the midwife which has helped enormously. The physio gave me a number of core stability exercises to do which I think have really helped strenghten everything up.

"I had SPD v. badly with preg #1 (ended up on crutches and in severe pain) and again it started very early (at 6 weeks) with my current preg (now 18 weeks). However, it is getting a lot better with conservative management this time. I find the more standing, walking I do the worse it is. Here's my top tips:

• try and limit standing, walking etc for long periods.
• do your shopping on line to avoid pushing a trolley.
• don't lift heavy things.
• buy a stool to put in the kitchen so you're not spending long amounts of time standing at surfaces
• buy a mattress topper/ put a duvet underneath your sheet in your bed. the softer the bed the better, I've found.
• buy a long pregnancy pillow to hug and put between legs at night. prop your back up with another pillow under your backside.
• ask your physio about core stability exercises and exercises on gym ball when you get appt. also ask them or your GP for an occupational therapist referral (these are usually just given to old people who need help around the house!). they can lend you perching stools, loo seat raises, equipment to raise your sofa, bed etc. as a pregnant patient you get to queue jump as you're considered urgent
• ask your physio for a belt and crutches if pain v. bad.
• go upstairs one at a time and try to limit journeys up and downstairs. carry everything down in a carrier bag to avoid having to make a second journey.
• keep your legs together when getting in and out of car and bed ie swing them together.
• I've also found a local chiropractor who specialises in pregnancy, she has been brilliant and every time I've seen her the pain has become significantly less. I saw her twice a week initially but am now down to once a month. expensive but i've found very worth it.
• sit on a gym ball if chairs become painful.
• join the Pelvic Partnership www.pelvicpartnership.org.uk/ They send out very useful pain management leaflets and info on how to cope. I think they have also got some to download on their website. They have also got a support line.
• get as much help as you can round the house and let things go rather than push on through pain.
• make sure you put in your birth plan that you do not want to be put in stirrups and that you have SPD, then you are unlikely to get pulled around too much
• if pain persists after the birth, get another physio referral (for me it took about a year of physio afterwards but I know for some others it disappears after the birth)
• don't exercise until all symptoms disappeared after the birth. I made my SPD a lot worse again as started exercise regime 6 months afterwards before strengthening core muscles first
• don't go swimming unless you just intend to be in the water and not swim.
• I also bought a 'comfy coxxyx' cushion from physiosupplies.com which has been brilliant for at home on sofa, desk at work, taking out to restaurants where chairs very hard...
• make sure your midwife reports that you have SPD in your notes and ask her for tips, tell her about the pain every time you see her.

I hope this helps and your symptoms get a bit better. Good luck. "

as cookingcath says it's about preventative management.

I would recommend doing some pilates (with proper 1 to 1 or 1 to 2 instruction until you have learnt it)

also go and see an osteopath and let them see if you have anything aggrevating it, mine was overtight thigh muscles/ligaments which were straining the pelvic cage.

I was on crutches for my 3rd pregnancy in my 4th pregnancy although it started much earlier it didn't get as bad because I looked after myself and tried very hard to do nothing to aggrevate it.

Are you still bf? If you are that will make you more susceptible because of the hormones it produces (not saying give up but just be aware!)

Also a bag of frozen value peas to stick on your pubic bone whilst resting at the slighest sign of a twinge.......