In terms of how I coped? I was housebound for six months while pregnant. I couldn't walk further than the end of my street (around 50 metres). At 7 weeks pregnant, my physio said it was that bad I would be in a wheelchair very soon. So I did whatever I could to avoid that and in my case it meant seriously restricting any walking. Don't listen to the people who say you have to push through. There are some around and they seriously don't know what they're talking about. I had to give up work @ 14 weeks because I couldn't walk to and from the train station to/from work.
In terms of looking after my DD - well, she was a bit older (2.5 years when we were housebound) but she's a very physical girl. Being housebound almost killed her as well as me. I didn't ask DP to take time off work - I probably should have. To save my sanity, I put DD into childcare two days a week (I was also having to keep the house pristine at the time to sell it so I spent a lot of time on a chair on casters trying to pick things up off the floor). I could never lift DD up to a change table anyway or play on the floor with her as I had lingering SPD issues from her birth. So I'd always changed her on the couch. Use pull-ups too if these will make things easier.
I'm not sure what your birth was like with DD1 but please familiarise yourself with the Pelvic Instability Association's guidelines on labour/positions etc.
In terms of icing - it's really important and believe me, it really works. It's most important to do it last thing at night but also try to do it during the day. As others have said, basically put it where it hurts. I put it between my legs so around the vaginal area. My SPD was really severe so I was told I should be doing it every two hours. I couldn't really manage that but I did, on average, do it three times per day. Also sleep with a pillow between your knees. That will keep your hips in alignment.
Have you got a support belt? In my first pregnancy, I tried it a few times and didn't think it worked. Then in my second pregnancy, the physio showed me how to use it properly and that was a godsend.
fionas I was bedridden a lot of both pregnancy's too. And like you I could barely walk past the front door. My first pregnancy it came on about 20 something weeks. My second it was early. About 15 weeks. The treatment I had the first time around was brutal and I'm pretty sure made things worse. But second time around I saw a fantastic physio who specialised in women's problems, especially pregnancy and PSD. She was great. I counted down the days to our sessions. And I even had to take panadeine at one point. And I felt so guilty. It really is sucky. But with physical and emotional support you can get through it.
one of the hardest things for me was how much weight I put on from being immobile. I blew up like a balloon and it was really hard because I am so body conscious to see myself get so out of shape. I also remember trying to cross the road once and having a driver beep their horn for me to hurry up but I couldn't and all I wanted was to get back to my car so I could be at the same speed as everyone else. My silver lining is that I am very kind to slow people crossing the road now and always give them a smile and a wave so they know they can take their time if they need to. As rouge says you need both physical and emotional support and you will get through this, but please don't push yourself and cut back on absolutely everything you can.
The only time I was pain free was during hydrotherapy. I would drive & hobble in on crutches, then slowly change and hobble out to the pool. I did exercises to help but mostly I just floated and enjoyed the lack of pain. It was 40min of bliss, especially as I needed help getting in & out of the bath at home.
I also had physio and think one made it worse, even though she specialised in pelvic issues. Osteo was a life saver. Next tume, I'll be trying chiro as well.
I used SRC pregnancy shorts. They're exxy though, about $180 i think.
I once had a 87 year old helping me into a car after I overdid it. That was tough for me to accept but in the end, I learnt if you cant walk, you take whatever help you can get.
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fionas I was bedridden a lot of both pregnancy's too. And like you I could barely walk past the front door. My first pregnancy it came on about 20 something weeks. My second it was early. About 15 weeks. The treatment I had the first time around was brutal and I'm pretty sure made things worse. But second time around I saw a fantastic physio who specialised in women's problems, especially pregnancy and PSD. She was great. I counted down the days to our sessions. And I even had to take panadeine at one point. And I felt so guilty. It really is sucky. But with physical and emotional support you can get through it.
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