This is Rebecca’s story of having a second child after severe pelvic girdle pain (PGP), in her own words:

Should I have another child?

I was TERRIFIED of having another child but I’ve always wanted two children. The thought played on my mind constantly as I suffered with PTSD, post-natal depression and what became a two year recovery from PGP.

Am I being selfish?

How would I do this again? Could I survive? Was I being reckless knowing what was to come? How would it affect my toddler? How would my husband cope? 

Getting ready

Second time round was no walk in the park(!) but it was MUCH more manageable. I got myself into the best place physically (PT and manual therapy) and mentally (counselling to prep for what was to come: lost time with my eldest for the next year, pre mourning the “joys” of pregnancy etc) beforehand. I spoke to my physio and therapist ahead of time to get them on board and, thankfully, they agreed to treat me throughout pregnancy to keep me going.

I asked for help

I made sure we had lots of help, upped nursery days, reduced pram pushing when possible, stopped pushing myself to exercise, listened to my body and pain (STOP if it hurts!) and then hired a mobility scooter so I could still get out and about a bit (my toddler loved it!). I also just had to let the housework go, much to my dismay.

Knowing what to expect helped me 

Being so well prepared mentally helped a lot as well as seeing someone who could give me manual therapy from the recommended list every two weeks – she was also the one who had helped me gain my fully recovery in the first place so she knew my body and we trusted each other. This involved both internal and external manual therapy throughout pregnancy – it can be done!

I lived in fear

The gap between my wonderful boys is 2 years 10 months. Practically, I encouraged my eldest to use the stairs safely and learn how to get in and out the car and the bath as he approached 3 so the lifting was reduced. While the pain was tough, I was able to walk a little the second time around but, importantly, mentally I was so prepared I didn’t suffer any of the depression or PTSD I had the first time. It was SUCH a difficult decision and no one could (still can!) believe I put myself through it all again but it was the best thing I ever did. It was also very healing. 

The Pelvic Partnership can help 

I know how lucky I was to be able to afford all the private treatments I needed both to get a full recovery in the first place as well as to manage another pregnancy. The good news was that because I was in so much better shape second time round, my recovery only took two months. I really appreciated the support from the Pelvic Partnership who provided that real knowledge, empathy (no one else gets it!!) and understanding I needed, especially when I needed to really push and vouch for myself – and to not give up with my recovery!

There’s no right or wrong when it comes to having more children, but with the right help, it can be A LOT more manageable.