I'm pregnant again and want to know if there is anything I can do to prevent or lessen the chances of this happening again. Surprisingly, I've found no information on this condition in any of my pregnancy books. She has assisted at over 1,000 births and is currently teaching in the nurse-midwifery program at the University of Minnesota. This is not a common complication of pregnancy and labor although some softening of the connecting ligaments and supporting muscles occurs in all pregnancies. This is one indication for an epidural in labor, as the pain can become quite severe but it can persist postpartum and take several weeks to subside.
Some people recommend an abdominal binder to support the weakened joint.
Assuming a type of squatting position in labor exaggerates the separation and a side lying with the legs tucked up would seem to be the most supportive to the area. Seeing a PT during the pregnancy would be a good thing to do if you can get a referral. This may not happen again with this pregnancy. I wish you the best. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or hands-on treatment.