Pubic bone pain

[Starfish11]

I am having serious pubic bone pain. I felt sort of like this the week I went into labor with DD but it was not intense. It hurts to walk up stairs especially and I now need a "heave ho!" got get into bed from my DH.

Anyone else have this now or with another pregnancy? I have read that there's not much you can do.

I also think I"m pretty early to be experiencing this.

[Tenk]

Nope, not too early for this mama. With DD3 it started at 17w and thank goodness this time is just started around 22-23 weeks. Same thing, hurts to walk, turn over in bed, move legs when sitting. I'm seeing a physical therapists for the pain this time, but out of 6 pregnancies this time and #4 were the only ones I had the issue with. The hormone relaxin are what is causing it BTW. the PT can help but the only cure is delivery. I know it's super painful too....mine is pubic bone, hip and back, and it's in the bone NOT the muscle. It hurts in my back when I walk and turn over too.

And some stupid lady yesterday told DH I looked like I was about to pop on top of everything else. I was so pissed off at her!!! I think the way I'm walking to try and avoid pain is what prompted the comment tho. Because while I am big I'm not HUGE (I don't think anyway)

[sostinkinhappy]

Et tu, Starfish?

I think the technical terms for the pubic bone pain are Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) and her nasty, evil sister Diastasis Symphysis Pubis (DSP). I have DSP w/ a tear in the cartilage that usually holds the joint together. When I am pregnant, my pubic bones separate about 1" and the right one moves forward and up by about 1/4". Not pleasant.

I didn't have it at all with DD #1, had it with DS #1 at about 6 months, worse with DS #2 starting around 16 weeks but have been able to avoid it for the most part this pregnancy. I think the main difference is that I *finally* accepted the fact my lifestyle significantly impacts how I feel. I have learned my limits: stairs are a big no-no. Sitting for too long: another no-no. Turning in bed too quickly: another no-no. Walking for more than a mile a day: another giant no-no. Any type of lunging, squatting, open-legged stretching etc: a ginormous no-no.

It is very difficult for me to deal with since I am a fairly active person - I am trying *really hard* not to feel like a big fat blob because I am not exercising like I used to. I hate feeling "broken" and like such a delicate flower because I am not - really, I promise!!!

And you are right - not much can be done for true SPD/DSP, other than avoiding what aggravates it (well, I guess there is surgery but you really really really don't want to go there as it involves shaving bone from the hip and screwing it across the pubic bones in an attempt to stabilize the joint... can we say "ouch" and "no thanks" in unison please?) Sometimes chiropractic care can help, sometimes not. Sometimes a compression belt can help, sometimes not. The most reliable things I have found are ice packs and rest. Lots and lots of ice packs.

[Starfish11]

Anytime the words "shaving" and "bone" are coupled I know that I want nothing to do with it That sounds dreadful.

I am sorry to whine then when it sounds like you all have been dealing with it for a while

That said, I feel...better?...knowing you all are experiencing it b/c it makes me less circus-freak like

I will try ice packs for sure. I am seriously bummed though b/c if I have to cut out yoga I will NOT be as prepared for my labor as I want to be.

The last time I had really bad sciatica which rendered me useless for the last trimester too. I was hoping to be more physically prepared. I will see what I can do in yoga that avoids lunging and squatting.

[sostinkinhappy]

Originally Posted by Starfish11

I am sorry to whine then when it sounds like you all have been dealing with it for a while

That said, I feel...better?...knowing you all are experiencing it b/c it makes me less circus-freak like

It's not as difficult this pregnancy because I (a) knew what to expect, (b) knew how to not aggravate it , (c) found out the pain wasn't all in my head or even a "normal" part of pregnancy for most women, (d) there was an actual name for it other than "OHMYSTINKINCRAPTHATHURTSLIKEHOLYHELL!", and (e) just like you, I feel like less of a circus-freak because others know exactly what I am going through.

It is a club I wish I didn't have a membership to, but since I do, I am glad I have such nice company!

[Tenk]

See, I've never met anyone IRL that had this pain either and no one, I mean NO ONE can relate. thank goodness I only had to tell my Dr about it once and she recommended PT for it.

The PT has me ice the joints 2-3 times a day as well as the stretches specific to SPD or PSD or what ever the term is.

You are not alone mama!!

[Mosaic]

I have the same issue and asked my midwife about it this week. She recommended a belly band and a chiropractor, one that specializes in pregnancy-related issues (even though many chiros say they can help, she says that this one is definitely an issue where you need someone experienced with SPD).

I felt badly making a big deal about it because it's not that bad, but like you, I hate that it's making me a lump on the couch when I'm used to working out regularly. She said if the pain is enough that it's changing my activities, it's worth getting it worked on. AND she said it's certainly not going to get better between here and the birth!

[hmseyer21]

I suffer from this too. I didn't have it with my first, but the last pregnancy and this one I definitely felt it early. My OB called it a pubic shear and also said there isn't much you can do about it but have the baby. I did get some relief from going to a chiropractor though, but it never completely went away until baby was in my arms.: )

[mischievium]

*

[mamaspirit]

I have severe pubic symphasis dysfunction, and they did want to do that surgery on me between my last two pregnancies. My last pregnancy it was completely relieved by frequent chiro care from a chiro who specializes in pregnancy. At times I had to get adjusted every other day, but I was mostly pain free my whole pregnancy. My previous pregnancy I spent the last couple weeks bed bound with a bed side comode because I could not walk because of it. This pregnancy, I have a different chiro (I moved) and he is not as good as my other chiro, but does give me some relief. Although my baby is down in my pelvis right now, which makes all the worse. It is hard for me to get dressed and painful for me to climb stairs especially since I often am carrying one of my two toddlers. I strongly reccommend trying a chiro and see if it helps for you!

[thefreckledmama]

What I do, and it helps me:

Lay on the floor with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Have an adult stand straddling your knees. Have them use their knees to hold yours together, while you try to spread them apart. Hold this for about 30 seconds. Then switch and have your legs on the outside, theirs on the inside, and try to squeeze their legs together, and hold for about 30 seconds.

You can do this as often as you need to, but honestly, I get plenty of relief doing it once or twice every few days-but I may just be lucky.

[feminist~mama]

I'm here too, feeling rather like I got kicked in the crotch *really* hard... I finally broke down and used an ice pack for a while last night and am feeling a bit nervous about working tonight! We'll see how it goes I guess- I'm just on my feet SO much at work... Ack!

I've been doing the cat/cow pose and while I'm not sure that it's helping, it doesn't seem to be hurting. I guess I'll look into a chiro next week- I've never been to one and am somewhat skeptical, lol! But hey, if it works...!

[Starfish11]

I cannot tell you all how much I appreciate all of the advice and guidance in this area. I'm calling around tomorrow to find a pregnancy chiropractor who can work with me on this.

When I could not get back into bed last night without waking up my husband to lift me up I knew I needed to do something immediately.

I figure this baby has been so high-spirited in utero SURELY he will be less high-spirited than his sister when he appears earthside.

[Dajemadger]

This happened during my very first pregnancy (when I learned that standing on one foot to put on pants was excruciating) and didn't learn until my 3rd that it was treatable by chiro. I go weekly, and it hurts like crazy when she pops it back in but then I can walk again for a week. Mine separates by a whole inch in the front and gets so swollen/bruised I can't even touch it. It also makes the rest of my pelvis out of alignment and my lower back ache terribly.

My chiro says to not get out of the car one leg at a time (glue your knees together and swing), not standing on one leg etc.

I've just read that in the US, this problem is just considered "normal pregnancy pains" but other countries have started making it an actual problem that needs attention.

[jecombs]

Glad to see that I am in good company! I had SPD with my last pregnancy, but didn't figure out what it was called until after I had my DD. My MWs acted like it was a normal part of pregnancy, even though I was practically jumping off the table every time they measured my fundus. This time around it has started earlier... around 24 weeks. Two things I have found that help it are: moderate walking every day and sleeping with a pillow between my legs.

I'm also thinking I want to try chiro, but I want to wait until later in the pregnancy since I'm managing things pretty well on my own at this point.

[Starfish11]

Update: things got really bad over the weekend. I could barely move on Monday and of course I had a big walking day for work.

I ended up seeing a chiropractor that someone told me about--it was NO GOOD! I was not comfortable with him at all.

Yesterday I went to another chiro. recommended by my acupuncturist and had a totally different experience. This chiro specializes in pregnancy "stuff" and gave birth at home twice so she is way into the holistic side of it all. I felt so comfortable with her. She did an adjustment yesterday and I felt pretty good for about an hour. That was a blessing!

I see her again tomorrow and then twice a week until I'm ready to birth this baby!

[Tenk]

Originally Posted by jecombs

Glad to see that I am in good company! I had SPD with my last pregnancy, but didn't figure out what it was called until after I had my DD. My MWs acted like it was a normal part of pregnancy, even though I was practically jumping off the table every time they measured my fundus. This time around it has started earlier... around 24 weeks. Two things I have found that help it are: moderate walking every day and sleeping with a pillow between my legs.

I'm also thinking I want to try chiro, but I want to wait until later in the pregnancy since I'm managing things pretty well on my own at this point.

That's so bizzare, I had a NMW tell me that it was normal and I just needed to "deal" with it when I was pregnant with DD3, and I could barely walk at 17 weeks. I begged her to help me some how and she refused!! I saw a different CNM and told her about it a month later and she immediately referred me to a PT who promptly removed me from work and gave me exercises to do. They both also told me it was NOT a normal part of pregnancy and that not every woman gets it. this time I'm not stuck with military Drs/CNM and my Dr's actually care about my health. I can only imagine what my last pregnancy would have been like with them (after Kam died at 38 weeks) and how they would have treated me. Seriously the CNM that was so mean to me, was on duty the day Kam passed and wouldn't even come in the room because she some how believed it was my fault and I needed to see a Neuro Doc for stomach pains I was having (I had undiagnosed celiac disease) that they thought I was making up. UGH, sorry long story and very bitter.

[organicpapayamama]

Originally Posted by Starfish11

Update: things got really bad over the weekend. I could barely move on Monday and of course I had a big walking day for work.

I ended up seeing a chiropractor that someone told me about--it was NO GOOD! I was not comfortable with him at all.

Yesterday I went to another chiro. recommended by my acupuncturist and had a totally different experience. This chiro specializes in pregnancy "stuff" and gave birth at home twice so she is way into the holistic side of it all. I felt so comfortable with her. She did an adjustment yesterday and I felt pretty good for about an hour. That was a blessing!

I see her again tomorrow and then twice a week until I'm ready to birth this baby!

thats awesome you finally have some relief!! im another SPD sufferer though I dont think I have it as bad as some of you mamas. My SPD comes and goes. I have good days and horrible days. On my horrible days I cant move at all. every step hurts so bad. Getting in and out of my car has me in tears. Its really bad at night when Im laying down. My legs at my hip feel like they are 1000 pounds and SOOOO hard to move to get comfortable and the sharp pain...omg. When it gets super bad and Ive just about had it and decide to talk to my dr about it or go to a chiro it goes away... very weird.

[Litcrit]

Mine was relatively tolerable until yesterday, when I decided to start excercising again (hadn't in about a month, holidays and all) and something happened when I lifted a leg... Today I had to walk a lot and was at a point where I literally could not walk a meter to a chair - not just because it hurt so much, but it was just physically impossible to move! DH helped me to bed and I started sobbing when he had to go, because what if I needed to pee? I HATE feeling so helpless! Thankfully, I was much better even before he left, but I'm so scared now!

Can I not excercise at all until the end of pregnancy? What about my poor back which NEEDS some lifting? How do I know what's safe?

What if it gets worse? How on Earth will I function?

What if it flares up really bad during labor and delivery? I don't need one on top of the other! Seriously, the episode I had today was much more unpleasant and far scarier than giving birth last time around! I was calm, silent, and on top of things in labor - today, not so much... :0

[jecombs]

Originally Posted by Litcrit

What if it flares up really bad during labor and delivery? I don't need one on top of the other! Seriously, the episode I had today was much more unpleasant and far scarier than giving birth last time around! I was calm, silent, and on top of things in labor - today, not so much... :0

I think the key for me during my last birth was listening to my body and allowing it to guide me to comfortable positions. I don't remember SPD being a significant factor at all. I do remember telling-off the triage nurse because she wanted me to get into a bed which was very high off the ground, lay on my back, and spread my legs for a VE. Between the SPD and my back-labor, there was NO WAY I was doing that! She ended up doing the exam with me standing on the floor, bent over. I had no problems during the pushing stage (other than DD just being really hard to move!).