can I do anything to prevent SPD?

[hairymelons]

Had SPD during last pregnancy, never crippling but it was really uncomfortable.
Is there anything I can do to prevent it this time? It's starting to niggle already & I'm only 10 weeks.
Thanks.

I had terrible spd 1st time around but with dd2 it was so much better and not at all debilitating. I can't say for sure what helped, but I did the following

• did pilates before pg#2 and continued until 20 weeks
• wore Earth shoes and fitflops. fitflops destabilised things a bit during pregnancy so I stopped them then. The Earth shoes really helped my posture and with keeping my glutes toned to help stabilise things.
• got a mattress with a memory foam top. When I was aching of an evening, I would be fine by morning again.
• saw an osteopath as soon as he would see me at 14 weeks and again in 3rd trimester

It felt like it was about to kick off again several times, the worst being at 6-12 weeks iirc, but it never really came to much. I suppose a lot of the above suggestions were second nature to me by then as well.

i had 8 months of physio and weekly pilates in preparation for this pregnancy but the SPD was back at just 6 weeks in so i knew then i was in for a rough time.
I've been told my bones will never fuse back together and i will have to do pilates and physio for the rest of my life so that my muscles can hold my pelvis in place instead.

I think the sooner after the birth you get started on fixing it, the better chance you have of a full recovery. I left it too long last time (2 years) - don't make that mistake!

-Definitely see an osteopath ASAP

-Get referred if poss to an ante-natal pilates physio class (my local hospital ran one)

-Remember the mantra "short skirt no knickers" - if you act as though you are protecting your modesty at times, you will stay symmetrical/get in and out of cars correctly.

-no standing on one leg! Sit down to put shoes on etc.

I suffered badly with first PG as only went to Osteo when it was too late. 2nd time around sa him from 6 weeks and along with the strengthening the physio/pilates class gave me, had a great 2nd PG.

Good luck!

Thanks for all your advice ladies - sorry if I hijacked the thread Hairy. Going to see an osteopath to see if this will help. x

Definitely go and see an osteopath or physio who know how to treat SPD in pg women. My NhS was rubbish but I went to one recommended by the pelvic partnership and she made a massive difference. She also told me if I ever have another child, that she could treat me as early as 8 weeks to stop the symptoms starting. She purely dealt with SPD/PGP in pregnancy. If you're anywhere near the south west, I would be happy to give you her details

Hi all,
I found i was getting an awful lot of hip and pelvic pain and bought a support band which is the best thing I did. I now hardly get any pain at all (I'm 31 weeks) and even tho I can't hoover or do many strenuous things, I am a lot lot more comfortable!

The only thing I have trouble with is coccyx pain when sitting at work, I have now got 2 coccyx cushions and not sure they're even doing anything - any advice to help ease this would be great! x

Thanks Tilly - I don't live in the sw but have a good recommendation from the docs so will give that a go.

Thanks so much for the info/suggestions! I've been experiencing the pain for a week.