Preventing symphysis pubis dysfunction?

[sunflwrmoonbeam]

I just found out tonight that I'm pregnant with number two! Excited and all, but scared, because my daughter was a hard pregnancy. The biggest problem was that I had pretty bad symphysis pubis dysfunction. I have some ideas on how to prevent or mitigate it this time round, but anyone here have any tips? I especially hoping to hear stories about how you had it with an earlier pregnancy, but did xyz and it wasn't an issue with a later pregnancy.

Please tell me there's something I can do to not go through this again!

[cameragirl]

I would work on kegels and pelvic tilts to strengthen the area. If you can, getting adjusted by a chiropractor can help as well. Early on you probably won't need to go too often, but later on you might want to see them 1-2 times a week. (Most say to come in when you feel you need it. I went weekly or twice a week in the last two months.)

[purplerose]

I had it with #3, once it started it never went away til the birth. Now with #4, I had it for a month or so, then it just disappeared overnight. Went to bed in pain, woke up totally normal. I have no idea what I did, I didn't do anything unusual that I knew of. But it hasn't come back and it's been over a month. I still have a tiny ache but it doesn't impair me the least little bit.

I read somewhere online where a mom's midwife told her to eat eggs everyday because of some chemical in them that helps prevent spd. I haven't read anything about the eggs anywhere else but I was eating eggs everyday until they started to gross me out, but after a few weeks I started eating them again and now I eat them almost everyday again.

[purplerose]

Oh- and Congrats!!

[Abraisme]

I have no great ideas as mine is getting worse with each pregnancy. I do know that my chiropractor is helping me a lot, but I'm still often in pain. I'm also going to try acupunture later in pregnancy, but I don't have any high hopes of full recovery. I hope you find some relief.

[Keeper at Home]

Unfortunately I'm not sure it can totally be prevented, as a lot of it is due simply to the hormones causing the pelvis to relax and separate more than normal. However, in my experience there are a lot of things you can do to help lessen the severity of it! I'm at the end of my 3rd pregnancy and I've had SPD with all of them. My first pregnancy I basically did nothing and I was in constant, excruciating pain. My second pregnancy I saw a chiro and PT and got a support belt. This time around I am seeing a chiro again and being very conscious to do absolutely nothing more than the bare minimum as far as carrying things (incl. kids and groceries), walking, etc.

For me, a good chiropractor and not over-exerting yourself physically are the two most key aspects to managing SPD. The third would be doing basic exercises like squeezing a ball between your legs and trying to separate your legs (while bent) outward against an equally opposing force (you can tie a scarf/band around your legs or have someone simply hold your legs together with their hands). I have found that, for the most part, as long as I do not carry anything over a couple of pounds (literally), do not do much walking, and move verrrrrry slowly and deliberately while standing up/rolling over...my SPD symptoms are almost zero. But if I spend a day shopping and thus doing a lot of walking, if I pick up and carry my kids even just a couple yards, if I try to haul in heavy grocery items...I am back to being rendered almost immobile by the pain.

Good luck to you! I hope you find something this time around that helps!

[purplerose]

I also keep reading it's important to try not to waddle, as that can make it worse. I was waddling with it badly until it disappeared. Now I'm slightly waddling but I can't help it at this point lol