Doula/Midwife Experience with SPD (unstable pelvis)

[fionas]

Gosh, I don't know where to start with this post so forgive me if this is all a bit disjointed.

DP and I would like another child (our first is 9 months old) but I am REALLY scared of doing so because I suffered badly last time with an unstable pelvis (SPD). I am trying to do as much research as possible but time is also running out because I am 39 so obviously I can't dilly dally for too long.

I know next time around I could manage my SPD much better throughout the pregnancy by doing clinical pilates but I am scared that I will end up in a wheelchair (this is quite possible with SPD) after the birth with a toddler and a baby to look after. I have no support network other than DP and I have been told it is difficult to qualify for in-home support.

One of the mistakes I made last time is believing health professionals who told me that it usually goes away as soon as you have the baby or soon afterwards. In my case, it was extremely bad for six months post-birth which meant that I could literally only walk for five minutes, standing was painful and even now, nine months after, rolling over in bed is difficult, carrying my DD is hard and bending down is uncomfortable. So basically I was housebound for six months.

I think the severity of my SPD may have been exacerbated by the type of birth I had last time as well as the fact that I could have managed the condition better while pregnant.

Basically, after a very long labour and 7 hours sleep in 3 days with a posterior baby, I had an epidural. Obviously that meant when it came to pushing, I was in the worst possible flat on the back position and the midwives got me to pull my knees back up to my chest with my arms whilst pushing. I did this for 2.5 hours with no success and ultimately DD was delivered with forceps.

I had no problem (emotionally) with any of this at the time but from what I've since read, this would have been very bad for my SPD and could explain why it has taken so long to recover. It's advised that women with SPD should not be put in positions that REALLY force apart their hips and that before labour you should measure how far you can part your legs comfortably with a piece of string and then take that to the hospital with you.

So ... I guess what I'm asking is:

a) do you agree that those circumstances could have contributed to the severity of my SPD post-birth
b) what would you advise in terms of birth position if you were my birth attendant and IF I chose to have an epidural again (obviously I would be closely following the Spinning Babies website advice to avoid a posterior position and support from a doula would make it much less likely that I would have an epidural anyway)

[BellyBelly]

Deb has posted in the trainee doula section (but has attended heaps of births before training) and has lots of experience (personal) with spd. Might be worth giving her a call, and she's on trainee rates too. She is very gentle, knows her stuff and heavily involved in the birth world.

[fionas]

ooooooh, thank you Kelly. I feel a bit silly asking when I'm not even pregnant but I'm not confident to get pregnant without having a bit more information. Kind of a chicken and the egg if you know what I mean. Thanks again.

[DoulaRobyn]

I had spd with my last three pregnancies and I feel for you! I found that doing the exercises that I was told to do (after my pelvis dislocated in my second pregnancy - first with spd) really helped with the physical severity of the problem. I felt more stable but the pain was still there. I continued doing my exercises daily - mainly out of habit - and then found out I was pregnant again I was glad to be feeling stronger in my pelvis. It got painful up at the end of pregnancy but much more manageable. In my last pregnancy it just gave me twinges on and off and wasn't too bad - until I tried to roll in bed!

Two years on, I am thinking of seeing a chiropractor because I am still not 100% but not too bad either.

My favourite position that worked for me was birthing on all fours leaning over a chair or firm pile of pillows. I liked this position because I could choose how far I wanted my legs apart. The midwife attending my birth commented that I could do with my legs a little wider apart and I explained to her that at the end when the head comes right down I will adjust my position - and did, naturally and when I wanted to.

Be confident in your body and see about some strengthening exercises - the really do work but take a while for you to notice the effect. ---- good luck