Does your pubic bone feel like it's about to rip open?

[Julie Doula]

Hi Mummy Mel,

I've just looked into this very thing with a client of mine who's experiencing the same pain.

You know what - I think it might be actually more than just the relaxin. A lot of women think that pubic bone pain is just a normal discomfort of pregnancy - BUT - it might be that you have symphysis pubic dysfunction.

OK sounds awful - but it is treatable and manageable and if you can get it sorted out this side of labour - and go into labour forewarned and forearmed, you could save yourself a bunch of damage and pain afterwards.

Here's a link for an excellent article on it - it's worth printing out and taking along to your chiropractor, and showing to your midwife/ob to make sure they are aware that you have SPD (if in fact you do).

http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/pubicpain.htm

When my client read this, she was amazed, it described what she was going through to a 'T'. She is going to see a chiropractor next week (I am going along with her), we are fortunate in our area that we have a lovely woman chiropractor who specialises in pregnancy. I'll let you know how we get on - it's interesting for me, because I am not familiar with chiropractic care (yet!)

Basically, they recommend seeing a chiro before you start labour; and avoiding legs-wide positions in labout - especially AVOID STIRRUPS! So lots of walking, leaning/kneeling forward, and hands & knees or kneeling to give birth, might save you ligament damage.

I really hope you feel better soon and I hope this info is helpful - it's good advice for any pregnant women even if you don't have definite SPD, I think.