Diastasis Symphysis Pubis (severe hip/pelvis pain) - How common is it?

[lilcosmo]

I have been suffering from hip pain (just on my left side) since my 33rd week of pregnancy. The pain is so crippling that I am pretty much 'couch bound'! It makes walking or moving about a nightmare, to the point where I am considering crutches just to get around the house. Nothing seems to help/ease the pain and sometimes it gets worse for no apparent reason. It is most painful when in bed, rolling over or getting out of bed brings tears to my eyes and quite often I get a 'popping' sound from my hip I have started to see an osteo who specialises in pg women, but that doesn't appear to be helping much.

I have found some info about a condition called 'Diastasis Symphysis Pubis' which sounds like what I am suffering from. There isn't much information about it on any Australian websites though and I am interested to find out how common it is?

Have you or anyone you known suffered from this sort of problem? Is it likely to cause problems at birth? Was it worse in subsequent pregnancies?

[lilcosmo]

[~breeze~]

I had it with DS, it was horrible!!
I was told by a Dr it will help to give birth on your side. That was the last thing on my mind while in labour & I gave birth on my back, I dont think I had an extra pain in that area whilst in labour/giving birth (felt pretty much the same as when I had DD)

It hung around after giving birth, I couldn't lay flat for 7 weeks post birth! (I had to sleep sitting up for about the last 2 months of PG) Mine started at about 4 months PG & got alot worse over the months.

I have heard it gets worse with each pregnancy... thats not from experience though, just what I've been told.

Sorry I cant give you anything more positive. Thank goodness you dont have long left.

Try not to walk too much

[fionas]

Hi darl

Sorry I've only just seen this thread.

There's a support group in Australia - not sure if I'm allowed to post the link but just google Pelvic Instability Association or look here Home

Not sure how common it is but 2 out of 10 of us in my Mothers Group had it and it sucks big time to put it mildly!

The best thing you can do is try to manage it by seeing an osteo or physio and keeping your hips/knees in alignment (so knees together). Also try to keep your knees lower than your hips which was really hard for me because virtually everything there is to sit on in this house is low-lying.

I was told it would kind of magically disappear after the birth - this does seem to happen for a lot of women but in my case it didn't but I put that down to the position I gave birth in plus the fact that I was pushing (with my knees against my chest for 2.5 hours).

The Pelvic Instability Association will have more info on birthing positions but the rule of thumb is to not open your legs wider than is comfortable and it's helpful if you measure that width with a piece of string before the birth then take that with you.

I've also started a thread about labour and post-recovery here https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...es-wanted.html

In terms of subsequent pregnancies, my physio (who specialises in pregnancy) told me that it tends to raise its ugly head earlier BUT that women tend to manage it better in terms of getting on to physio quicker and doing all they can to minimise its effects so it tends to be less devastating on their daily lives.

Hope that helps.

[lilcosmo]

Thanks so much for sharing your stories ladies. It is a relief to know that I'm not alone!

Fiona - thanks for the info on the PIA. I feel much better now knowing what is going on and will be able to share this info with my Ob and discuss my options for labour, birth and recovery. I am about to go and read through your thread on SPD. Thanks again.