symphysis pubic pain

[Antheia]

I have it too and feel your pain. I find pushing a pram/trolley makes it worse too.

However there is some good from it. Because the pelvis gives, it allows more room for bub to pass through.

[Olive]

snacks this is an overview of what it is!!

The two halves of your pelvis are connected at the front by a stiff joint called the symphysis pubis. This joint is strengthened by a dense network of ligaments which means that under normal conditions, very little movement occurs. In order to make your baby's passage through your pelvis as easy as possible, your body produces a hormone called relaxin, which softens the ligaments in your pelvis. As a result, these joints move more during and just after pregnancy.

We are not sure exactly what causes SPD but current thinking indicates that if one side of the pelvis moves more than the other when you walk or move your legs, this can lead to pain and inflammation at the symphysis pubis. X-rays and scans may not diagnose the problem as this rotation does not show up on most scans. Many women with SPD experience significant pain without any great separation of the joint -- the amount of pain isn't related to the degree of separation

.

[Olive]

thanks ali and antheia!! might check out what an oseto can do!

[Snacks]

Ah cheers, AJP - I have often wondered what SPD stands for... is the D for 'displacement' or something?
I know my anatomy enough to know the pubic symphasis, but wasn't aware that it could move so uncomfortably before you give birth
In any case, I still hope you get the help you need so it doesn't get any worse.

[Olive]

thanks darl!! off to see an osteo at the bellybelly centre on tuesday!

[Visitor8]

I was induced a week early because of me 'quality of life' from having this badly with Ashton. I couldn't dress myself, I could barely walk and everything (sitting, standing, moving) hurt so bad I was on panadene Forte all day for 3 weeks before I was induced.
It can get quite bad, it gets worse with each child. I have had it with all 3 but Ashton was BAD. I used a belt thing but it really didn't make much difference.
Next OB appt mention that you want to see the physio, don't put it off, the sooner you see them and get a belt and some tips, the better chance it wont get severe.

[Antheia]

Ah cheers, AJP - I have often wondered what SPD stands for... is the D for 'displacement' or something?
I know my anatomy enough to know the pubic symphasis, but wasn't aware that it could move so uncomfortably before you give birth
In any case, I still hope you get the help you need so it doesn't get any worse.

SPD = Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction

[frankee]

Hi there,

Ihad the exact same thing with my bubba. It was so painful i thought my bones were splitting in half. The best news I can give you is as soon as you give birth it stops and it makes pushing out the baby sooooooo much easier. My labour was painful but at the same time it was a breeze.

Good luck and Congrats!!!!!!

[Toomanytoomany]

The best news I can give you is as soon as you give birth it stops

I didn't find that at all - it was many months before I could walk properly and I required physiotherapy post natally to help strengthen the muscles to keep the joints together. The hormone that causes this problem and other joint problems, relaxin, doesn't really dissipate straight away so new mothers are susceptible for some time to back and other joint injuries. It's important to protect the joints as much as possible to avoid long term damage, and keep your core muscles as strong as you can.

Oh, I forgot to say, physios will have a support brace you can wear under your bump to keep some of the strain off the front of your pelvis. I found that this helped quite a bit.

[nelly]

jols I feel for you - I had it w Jake but not until quite late - this time has started already! I saw a pg specialist physio and she gave me some great exercises that really helped, also bcos part of my problem were weak hip flexes. I also found gentle exercise strengthened the supporting muscles and helped to relieve the pain. xx

[fionas]

I sympathise - do whatever you need to do which are what people have already mentioned - keep hips and knees in alignment and get thee to a physio/osteo/chiropractor or whoever helps.

Can I have a little vent? SPD is the only thing that has stopped me from TTCing again and at my age I really should not even be messing about. I think people underestimate the mental and emotional impact that being in constant pain can have.

[~breeze~]

Can I have a little vent? SPD is the only thing that has stopped me from TTCing again and at my age I really should not even be messing about. I think people underestimate the mental and emotional impact that being in constant pain can have.

Thats the main reason why I'm undecided as to whether I'll have another baby so you're not alone....

I had it from 16 weeks with DS & was induced (via having my waters broken, didnt end up needing the induction drugs) at 39 weeks because I was unable to sleep, I had to sit up on the lounge through the night as I couldn't lay on my back or side without exruciating pain (you all know what I'm talking about) & I'd be paralised (dont know how else to word that.... unable to move my legs) for a couple of mins after getting out of bed.
I'm allergic to codiene so no panadiene forte for me unfortunately, only panadol which did absolutely nothing. I had the belt from the physio (I actually bought myself one) which seemed to help a little in the earlier months.

I totally feel your pain, I really hope it doesn't get much worse for you. Boy it's so harsh. It really ruined my last pregnancy & I also suffer from HG during pregnancy but at least I can take drugs to control that, makes pregnancy very expensive though..... $50 for 4 tablets & needing at least one a day arghhh, thank goodness the HG has left me the night I gave birth both times considering I was on the medication from 6-7 weeks!

I found this time round I couldn't lay flat for 7 weeks after giving birth & I still get pains now, especially if I do alot of walking OUCH!

Sending positive vibes for the remainder of your pregnancy to be as enjoyable & as comfortable as possible
xxx

PS Is it horrible for me to say that I'm glad I found this thread so I know I'm not alone, it makes it a little easier to accept

[MrsC_Aussie]

I've started having this pain for the last week or so too. but not as bad as many of you, havent progressed to any painkillers for it yet. I spoke to the physio who runs my pregnancy pilates class this morning though and shes given me some stretches to do 3+ times a day and told me to massage some spots etc, and if its not feeling any better next monday we'll have a one on one session and try and get to the 'bottom' of it (sorry for the pun there).