SPD post-birth and exercise

[~ Mylitta ~]

I had SPD (or PGP as it's getting called now) during all three of my pregnancies. A few days after the birth of my most recent treasure I found that the SPD actually got worse before it started to improve. I spoke to my Ob's midwife who basically said I should be on bed rest, but it was obviously rather impossible with a newborn, a baby and a toddler to care for. I then saw a physio a few times and she told me that I shouldn't do any exercise at all except some pelvic floor exercises. I also have severe abdominal separation so I also have to be careful what movements I do with that as well.

The SPD has improved a lot and I only get twinges and pain when I move in certain ways, which I try to avoid. The worst pain I get is when I lay on my back, especially of harder surfaces (which includes my Ob's exam bed and my physio's bed/table, lol).

My daughter is almost 4 weeks old and I'm feeling a little depressed that the baby weight, that I managed to shed fairly quickly with my other two kids, is refusing to budge. I was hoping that breastfeeding three kids would make the extra kg's fall off, but that's not been the case so far. Of course Easter didn't help with my sweet tooth hehe.

So the question I have is whether anyone else has been in a similar situation and what were you able to do? I've never been a fan of exercise and have never had any kind of exercise regime, nor do I want one now. But I thought that maybe just taking all three kids for a walk in the pram and carrier (newborn in hugabub, baby and toddler in the pram) would be some nice gentle exercise, but I'm not sure if that would be bad for my pelvis.

I guess I could always just wait for my 6 week checkup and ask my Ob, or maybe ring the physio...

I also wish I could feel proud of my Mummy-flab rather than embarrassed by it.

[surprised]

Yes! Although my spd doesn't sound as bad as yours.

I had ab sep and physio told me just to clench my tummy and hold for a few sec and also to do some short sharp clenches. I slowly built up to 10 at a time and did them as often as possible ie a few times per day. I did them lying, sitting and standing. She said not to do situps for several weeks.

In terms of walking i was out and about with my double pram early on, but i did find it really hard and probably should have taken it easier. One day dh had to come rescue me! Flat surfaces are best. Downhill was awful coz it hurt when the pram was pulling me.

I probably didn't feel good til 8 weekes and even now at 14 there are still some positions that hurt.

Hope that helps xo

[Shanti]

Hun don't be too hard on yourself!! Remember you have just had THREE babies in under 3 yrs!!!!

Give your body time

[Traveller]

I was in a similar situation to you, with my twins born before my eldest was 3.5 years (and another child inbetween). My SPD had me in a wheelchair with the twins and whilst I felt heaps better as soon as they were born, I was still in a lot of pain for a while and still suffer now to a certain extent. My advice to you would be

1) don't do anything about it yet. Your baby is really little now and your hormone levels are high. There is plenty of time for recovery
2) see your physio. All the time and do what they tell you. You will be able to exercise soon, but now is too early
3) swimming. Once you are ready this is a great exercise
4) Keep wearing your pelvis support, so if you have a girdle or stretchy bandage then keep wearing it now.

[~ Mylitta ~]

Thanks ladies. You are all right. I really should focus more on how proud I am of what my body has achieved and give it time to heal more before putting more stress on it. And I really AM proud of what it's done. Us woman are amazing. It would just be nice if all births came with a magical tummy tuck afterwards, hehe.

I'm going to stick with just the pelvic floor exercises suggested by the physio, and perhaps just a few gentle tummy clenches like 'surprised' mentioned. When I go see my Ob in a few weeks I'll get his advice then about taking the kids for walks. It would be nice to be able to even just walk them around to one of the local parks. Although I'll admit I'm nervous how I will handle three at a park now lol!

[feeb]

Hun take it easy and dont rush your body!!

Pelvic floor is all thats important at present. Plenty of time to exercise!! (wish I had your drive I am so over weight and DS2 is 2 i actually probably weight more now than the day he was born!)

Let me know if you want some company 1 day as can come for a visit! DS1 has speech on thurs so over your way allready so could come over if it suits you for kids to play.

[trishalishous]

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