Pregnancy for a Second Time
Written by Rebecca Willoughby
The information below is for first time and subsequent pregnancies alike.
No one but your family can decide on the time between children, however if you have suffered with issues such as Gestational Diabetes, Diastasis Recti or Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction it may be worth considering the time between children more carefully and what measures you put in place to help your body recover between pregnancies.
Painful or Difficult Walking
(Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction & Pelvic Girdle Pain)
This is not dangerous to the baby but can cause severe pain for mum. Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction is pain at the front of the pelvis while Pelvic Girdle Pain causes pain mainly in the back of the pelvis. There is sometimes pain in the pelvic floor area.
It’s estimated that 1 in 5 pregnant women suffer with pelvic pain to some degree.
In the majority of cases it occurs in the second and third trimester. Occasionally it occurs after labour.
It is important to take preventative steps and seek help as soon as symptoms are felt.
Symptoms
- Pain localized to the front of the pelvis (Pubic Symphysis): Shooting, Stabbing, Burning, Grinding and Clicking
- Pain radiating to lower abdomen, groin, pelvic floor and front of the thigh
- Pain on walking, going up and down stairs, getting up from a chair, standing on one leg, bending the hip or taking it out to the side, turning over in bed, moving your legs apart (getting in and out of the car, shower or bath).
If you had Symphysis Pubis issues in your first pregnancy ensure that you follow the advice you were given during your first pregnancy from the very beginning of your subsequent pregnancy. Just as a reminder:
It is important to avoid pain causing activities such as fast walking, climbing stairs, taking legs apart (getting in and out of the car, shower or bath), however it is also important to maintain mild to moderate exercise within painless limits. Take regular rest breaks throughout the day and after exercises. Swimming is a great exercise as you are not weight bearing on the pelvis but maintaining some fitness (N.B. avoid breast stroke). Yoga and Pilates are also good for maintaining suppleness as well as abdominal and pelvic strength, but avoid any positions that lead to taking the legs apart from each other.
Other advice that might help:
- Get help with household chores
- Wear flat, supportive shoes
- Avoid standing on one leg – sit down to get dressed
- Keep knees together when getting in and out of the shower, bath or car – a plastic bag on the seat can help to swivel
- Avoid squatting and open legged postures
- Sleep on your side with something between your knees to keep the top leg level
- Take the stairs on at a time or go upstairs backwards or in a sitting position
- Avoid bending and twisting to lift anything
- Avoid carrying a child or bag on one side
- Avoid crossing your legs
- Avoid strenuous work during pregnancy
- Try to avoid poor posture and excessive weight gain
Most relaxing posture for Pubis Symphysis
- Lie on your back or in a semi seated position
- Have your knees and hips flexed
- Move feet approximately 12-18 inches apart
- Now bring the knees together
- Lie on your back or in a semi seated position
- Have your knees and hips flexed
- Move feet approximately 12-18 inches apart
- Now bring the knees together
For osteopathic appointments, please call. 01494 980197
Appointments available 7 days a week.
