HypnoBirthing® UK

[Scarlet]

I have a question. I have just started reading the hypnobirthing book and it says that our bodies are designed for pregnancy and labour and on this basis we should, with application of the correct techniques, be able to manage pain in labour. It is widely accepted that fear increases pain and makes labour harder.

I agree with all this but the fundamental problem i am struggling to get past is, if this is the case, then why do so many women develop symphysis pubis dysfunction in pregnancy. I have this to the extent that i am on crutches and am housebound - i am very keen to use the Mongan method to counter some of the negativity and fear i feel as a result of this condition but can't get past the question that if pregnancy is such a natural state, then why does this complication arise?

Would welcome others' thoughts.

[ockysmith]

SPD isn't a normal part of pregnancy. I'm not sure how much of the book you have read? but you will note that Marie Mongan refers to "special circumstances" that occur in approximately 5% of pregnancies - SPD would fall into this category.

That said, SPD is often considered to be a side effect of modern western living. Certainly it seems to be a predominantly western phonemena, in other countries where women are fitter and more toned because of the physicality of their everyday living the condition is almost non-existant.

I'm not saying that SPD is only suffered by western women who do little or no exercise - I suffered badly in my first pregnancy and I swam 1-2miles per week and practiced ante-natal yoga religiously, what I am saying is that we don't use our bodies in the way they were designed, most women after about the age of 4yrs - when "W sitting" isencouraged in school - do little or no squatting for instance in the developed world.

The most effective treatment for SPD is chiropractic or osteopathic manipulation of the pelvis and surrounding joints. In most cases this will bring about immense relief (if not a total cure) - I'm not sure if you have tried this? if you haven't I would recommend booking your first session as soon as your local clinic opens tomorrow!!! Anyway, SPD is very much misunderstood, here in the UK we recommend obstetric physio and support belts - or crutches and painkillers as you yourself use. These in fact all have a deregotary effect on the condition - they do not treat the underlying cause and therefore will have minimal effect (negative as well as positive!). As I mentioned I suffered first time around, second time I had 3 sessions of osteopathy and never suffered again!

The pain of SPD *does* have a real cause. This will have no bearing on the "pain" felt by so many women in labour - your uterine muscles, if unaffected by catecholamines - will still surge perfectly, SPD or no SPD and it is still entirely possible for you to labour comfortably. In fact many argue that because the pelvis of women with SPD is slightly more open that labour is even easier! labouring and birthing in water is also wonderful for SPD (as well as increasing endorphins/decreasing catecholamines and other things Marie covers in her book) - I would highly recommend it.

Hope that clarifies things, please do seek advice from an osteopath or chiropractor ASAP though - there is no need for you to be suffering as you are. I would also suggest taking actual HypnoBirthing classes, particularly as you have suggested yourself that you do have some problems truly believing in the techniques. A practitioner will be able to offer you further SPD advice and will be able to work through your SPD specific fears to ensure they do not negatively impact on your birthing experience.

Sarah

[Scarlet]

Hi Sarah
Thank you for your response. Your re-assurances about the labour are very helpful as i am extremely worried about the prospect of getting through the birth with this condition.
I have tried osteopathy - an osteopath who specialises in pregnancy conditions but unfortunately it has not helped. The widespread attitude seems to be that i need to "muddle through" until the birth and then the condition should improve post labour albeit gradually as the levels of the relaxin hormone decrease and the physio and osteopath have more freedom to treat me once i am no longer pregnant.
I have heard that the condition can become worse in subsequent pregnancies - do you have any advice on how to try and avoid the condition in subsequent pregnancies - would you advise osteopathy prior to getting pregnant to ensure everything is aligned? There seems to be some lack of clarity as to whether the condition is caused by pelvic misalignment or relaxin or both.

[ockysmith]

Hi, you don't say how many sessions you have had? I would give it at least 3 goes before giving up. Also maybe switch practitioners, in my experience - as with all things - there are good osteopaths and not so good ones. It may also be worth considering chiropractic treatment (particularly McTimoney) instead of osteopathy didn't work for you. Most good practitioners should give you a good indication - before even commencing treatment - of whether they believe it will help or not.

For me personally the condition worsened slightly after the birth, whilst this is quite rare it does happen sometimes as the same hormones are still at play (if breastfeeding) - the flip side is that if you're breastfeeding it's a very good time to treat (I pesonally would say you definitely need some treatment after the birth).

This handout is useful:

http://www.downloads.pelvic-partnership.org.uk/about_SPD.pdf

In terms of HypnoBirthing you will probably find that the depthometer/control valve will help you manage the SPD and also the advice about creating birth plans, birthing in water and an all fours position before and after birth (please do not attempt the squatting exercises in the book though), also avoiding active pushing and therefore the lithotomy position.

[ktucker30]

Hi there, I'm new to the site but had a fantastic hypnobirth when my son Oliver was born in January this year. I suffered with a bad back early on in my pregnancy and I went to see an osteopath who was supposed to specialise in treating pregnant women. Unfortunately the symptoms were made alot worse. Then I heard about the Osteopathic Centre for Children in London who run a clinic for pregnant women. Two sessions there with a lovely practitioner called Alison ( i think its cranial osteopathy) and I was completely cured. I cannot rate it highly enough. Worth a try. Good luck!