pelvic instability & labour - your experiences please

[Visitor7]

So, I have pelvic instability. Finally diagnosed 2 weeks ago after me suffering all pregnancy with it. Now what I want to know is, for those that have had it, how was your vaginal birth? My hips & pelvis are killing me, and I'm kind of worried about how I'll go in labour and birthing. I had a drug-free birth last time with DD2 and it was amazing, and would love to do it again. I worry that my pelvis is going to be too sore though.
So please, share your experiences with me. The good, bad and ugly! I wanna hear it all!!

[black_rose]

I was fine, it wasn't an issue pain wise at all but I did have a fast labour though so don't know if that made a difference.

[~clover~]

Mine was pretty good too. It was only the usual things I had pain with. When actually birthing I needed someone to lift my legs & hold them for me, but that was the only issue.
My labour was also pretty quick. Well more than I'm used to!

[*Beema*]

I had a very quick, posterior labour, so my back was hurting more than anything, it didn't make a difference to be in labour, and the pain from the Pelvic Instability was gone by the next day just not my other "injuries"

[Traveller]

Anecdotally I have heard that pelvic instability can mean an easier labour, and the science makes sense (a loose pelvis is easier for a baby to navigate than a tighter one).

My own personal experiences, labour after SPD was easier than labour without. I managed each time with no pain relief, and I have heard that an epidural can make your pelvis worse in fact as you move outwith your comfort boundaries and damage the joint. I'm sure you will be fine.

T
xx

[Michelle71]

8 hour labour with breech DS was no problem (until c-section). On my hands and knees over the swiss ball (or standing) in the shower. Posterior, quick labour with DD and SPD was drug free and fine. I only insisted that there was no pushing my legs back beyond hip level and you stay within the realm of your comfort. There are other birthing positions available to you which are better anyway than on your back (unless that suits you!!)

[Visitor7]

That's fantastic to hear! Both my previous labours have been posterior, and quite fast (well not slow, drawn out labours anyway). This bub so far is anterior (yay!!). It's great to hear positive stories. Thank you all so much!

[~clover~]

Yeah, both my youngest 2 were posterior. DD1's labour was 30 hours, no spd. DS's was only 5 hours, with spd.
Obviously I can't say it was the spd, but that was a big difference.

[Arimeh]

Mine was fine - I too have heard that its easier birthing because its so relaxed down there.

The only time I felt pain from there (that I knew was SPD) was when the midwife tried to get me to lift my leg from the floor onto a bucket to open my pelvis up even more. I couldn't do it, but still managed to give birth in that position (on my knees by the bath)

But I have come to realise that the pain I felt that I thought was my c-section scar rupturing was the pain when they go to the front of your pelvis - that was from my SPD, even though I didn't know it at the time.

[studentmum]

I had horrible psd from about 5 mths, by the 9mth mark I couldn't sit, stand or walk properly, I slept for 2hr blocks at the most and after laying for 2 hrs it would often take 15 mins to walk (shuffle) to the toilet ensuite. I could squeeze muscles in my pelvic area and hear my pelvis clicking and feel it moving.

In labour I did NOT want to rock or move my hips and when the doula suggested this we tried and I cried out in pain. I sat and stood for each ctx. The drive to hospital was ridiculously painful on my knees in the back seat, the doula clung to my hips to try and keep me still. I really wanted to be sitting on the bed at the hospital, I was comfortable with an arm behind me to steady myself, at one point the mw suggested laying on my side to change position and 'give me a rest'???? It took 3 ppl to help me roll to one side and once there I yelled and yelled (it felt like on continuous ctx) they soon let me sit back how I wanted (what is it with ppl in hospitals wanting you to be laying down during labour!?!?!) Letting my pelvis relax in an open kind of way (but not standing or weightbearing) was what was most comfy for me. I birthed in a sit with a person on each side holding my legs back, I couldn't lift my own legs.

As soon as I'd had my baby and got in the shower it occurred to me that the psd pain was hugely relieved, it still hurt a few times over the following weeks if I jumped up quick or rolled over suddenly but the pain of walking, sitting and standing was gone as soon as bub was outta there!

Sarah

[~clover~]

Wow, some of you guys are lucky. Mine started to settle after a few months, & very slowly got better, but I still felt it 22 months later if I had a big day.

[Traveller]

studentmum, I also laboured sitting up with DS2 and only moved when it was close to birth so I got in the pool. It really was a wonderful position to labour in.

[dusty]

Thanks for asking the question Jodi! Most helpful. I hope you are feeling more confident with it all, I know I am on reading these responses