Ongoing pelvic laxity/SPD problems after baby?

[AnyDream]

Hello, I'm interested in hearing about your recovery after SPD & pelvic laxity, particularly if it was a problem after birth.

My bub is 4 mths old and to my horror, my pelvis has started skating around all over the place again (!) Had my first physio session yesterday (post baby) and *sigh* it sounds like something that is going to take months and lots of exercises etc to fix.

Any tips or happy ending stories - I'd love to hear them!

[fionas]

Hi Marydean

Fancy seeing you in here! I think in most cases SPD sorts itself out once the body stops releasing relaxin (which is 6 weeks after the birth). But in some cases it sticks around - I've had it since Week 28 of my pregnancy and it is still here 5 months later.

I was quite complacent about it as I was under the impression that it would magically fix itself after the relaxin stopped releasing but no.

I was seeing a physio during pregnancy but was mainly trying to control it by avoiding standing, walking and bending rather than anything proactive like clinical pilates.

I started pilates about six weeks ago and the difference has been MASSIVE so stick with it. I found it hard getting there with a newborn (I don't drive) but have vowed that if I have no.2, I will do whatever it takes to get there including hiring a babysitter for the morning as I have been in a lot of pain which I could have managed better.

It sounds like your experience is different and now you are experiencing a recurrence. I imagine this is because Elisabeth is getting heavier and the constant lifting is aggravating your condition again.

I don't know what your physio consists of but if you're not doing it already, please ask about CLIINICAL pilates.

Sorry if this is a bit repetitive - my DP is having a very exciting conversation in the background with his mate about cable trams in the 1920s and strangely keeps interrupting me because he thinks I will be interested!

If I haven't covered what you were asking, let me know and I'll try again!

[Michelle71]

Yep - do the pilates. I'm only just starting to be able to get up from the floor without thinking about how I am going to do it It doesn't need to be much - I used just one technique during pregnancy to keep me somewhat stable and pain free. And that technique was for a beginner!!

[AnyDream]

I was under the impression that it would magically fix itself after the relaxin stopped releasing but no.

Same here! That's why I didn't go back to the hospy physio after birth, kind of wish I had now, I'd be 3 mths further on in fixing it by now!

about cable trams in the 1920s and strangely keeps interrupting me because he thinks I will be interested!

ROFL - sounds just like the menfolk in my family!

So is the clinical pilates something you do at a pilates place or is it something served up by a physio...how does it differ from regular (aka 'commercial') pilates? So far she's just given me some pelvic floor and tummy squeezy exercises to get me started...then back to remembering to brace and not stand on one foot etc etc. I will ask specifically about the pilates though, all that core strength stuff makes perfect sense.

I just can't get over the fact that one year ago I was a fit and strong and healthy bellydancing woman and now I can't even walk up the driveway without it hurting!

[fionas]

Hi again Marydean

I'm doing the clinical pilates with the physio - she specialises in pregnancy-related conditions. I'm really not sure how different it is to normal pilates as I've never done the latter but I guess the focus is on exercises that will strengthen the core abdominal muscles.

The way she explained it to me is that SPD means that the joints are moving around (because of the relaxin) but even when they become more stable you need strong abdominal muscles to hold them in place.

I started off with the same exercises as you - then she gave me some stuff I could do on the fitball at home and now I'm doing the pilates but it's only really the pilates that has made the big difference so I'd ask about starting this sooner rather than later.

Not sure where you are - if you're in Melbourne, PM me and I'll also give you the name of my physio.

I know what you mean about losing our strong, healthy bodies - I have been completely beside myself thinking that this pain would mean I wouldn't be able to have no. 2 baby while looking after no.1 baby. The bad news is that it's likely to recur BUT my physio told me that even though it often comes back earlier, women are much better at managing it second time around so it actually affects them less. She also said that the pilates I'm doing now means that I'm kind of doing what I can to prevent it coming back next time.

I don't know how you feel, but I have found it REALLY difficult to explain to my DH that I can't do all the things that I want to and it's been a right pain in the bum to have to explain stuff again and again.

I feel SO much better since doing the piilates and am really kicking myself that I didn't start sooner. But better late than never!

Let me know how you go.

[AnyDream]

Fiona, I'm in Canberra but I can tap into a pretty good network of healer types to find someone good if the physio I'm seeing doesn't come up with the goods. Apparently 3/4 women she sees is about joint laxity so it's pretty common and she seems to know what she's talking about.

In my case, it seals the decision to finish our family now. Yes you will be much better prepared next time. I was lucky as I knew about SPD and got to the physio at the first signs, which I think helped me to maintain it better than if I hadn't done anything about it as early as I did.

DH was overseas for 4 months during the worst of it and had me crying over the phone plenty of times so he had a pretty good idea of what I couldn't do. But it annoyed me no end when he got back by walking ahead with me shuffling along painfully (like some kind of subservient baby gestator) behind! I don't think men generally have a good understanding of the huge physical impact of pregnancy generally, let alone when it's harder/more painful than usual.

Thankfully it's much better now than when I was pg (and certainly not significant pain) but I am worried that it could worsen if I'm not proactive now and I'm also worried about whether there's a really long term effect (ie when I'm in my kicking into my 50s and 60s...etc).

I tell you what, it did give me an insight as to what life must be like for disabled ppl or those with chronic pain conditions - talk about invisible in public - i was constantly surprised at how no one would ever help me even when I was clearly struggling!

[~Raven~]

I was sore for about 8 weeks post PG then I was alright till 8 months and my pelvic pain came back and it was worse then when I was PG.

I'm bad and do things I shouldn't but hey I've got 3 kids and have to sometimes. The pilates is very beneficial I think, but I am lazy and don't do it as often as I should.

[fionas]

That's good that it sounds like your physio knows what she's talking about Marydean.

I'm so glad you said that about it annoying you that your DH walks ahead of you - mine does that too and it drives me bonkers. I now make him hold hands with me so I can keep him in line! I've also threatened him with a kiddie harness.

He goes through phases (normally after I've cracked it after I've told him for the umpteenth time that I can't unload the dishwasher) of being very helpful/understanding then a few days later it's as if he thinks I'm as fit as a fiddle again. I think I finally made some headway the other week when he had a sore back and he was saying "ow, oooh, ow" as he lifted our five-month-old off the floor. I said to him, "you do realise if I said ow every time I hurt, I'd be saying it all day don't you?" I could visibly see the penny drop!

Unfortunately if I'm going to have another one, I don't have much time up my sleeve so have to try as hard as I can to get this under control.

I've got no idea about the long-term effects - I'll ask my physio for you though I've got a feeling it's only now that it's really being treated as a 'proper' condition so I'm not sure there'll be much info out there.

Hope your next physio apptment goes well!

[~Raven~]

Fiona I've heard differing opinions about how close you have your bubs and if it can make it worse of help.

My physio seemed to think that spacing them about 3 years gives your body time to heal and get stronger before going through it all again.

Then again my chiro reccons it doesn't make much difference and if you are going to have a few kids in a row or spaced over 15 years your body will still end up the same eventually.

Don't know what I think but I do know I did notice that my seperated tummy muscles were better before Calebs PG. That was about a 3y age gap. I had a 21 month age gap between the first two. If the stomach muscles improved then I'm sure the internal bits improved also.

[fionas]

Thanks Raven

My ob has advised me to start trying mid this year - when my DD will be about 10 months old. He's looking at it from a fertility point of view though not from a SPD point of view. Basically even though I got pregnant pretty easily last time, statistically I will have a 50/50 chance of miscarriage when I hit 40. So given that I'll be 39 in May this year, I don't have the luxury of a 3 year wait unfortunately. If it wasn't for this, I would be trying now! It's only the actual physicality of looking after a toddler as well as a newborn (all the bending especially) that I'm concerned about. I handle sleep deprivation pretty well so am not too fussed about that.

So all I can do is try as hard as possible to get it right. And not think about it too much!

[Feathertop]

I'm still experiencing a little twinge now and again if I do something odd, 7 months down the track.

But - I've been doing belly dance, can now run again, and am feeling miles better overall. Strangely enough we are actually going to open a clinical pilates studio as part of my husband's physio practice - I'm really keen to finish the training and get going, there are so many people who want to do this. Particularly women. Clinical pilates is different from normal pilates in that it is designed and supervised by a physiotherapist and is tailored to your specific needs and takes into account any medical/physical problems you may have. If you think of a slightly different comparison - you can do exercises at an aerobics class, but you can also do exercises with your physio - two completely different set ups and tailoring to your needs.

I'll let you know more after I've finished the trianing!