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.