[Camellia]

I'm hoping those of us suffering with Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction (SPD) can band together and support one another. Even if you have already delivered, please join us! I hear this lovely dysfunction can go on for 9 months post partum

Tell us -

How far along are you (or how far pp)?

When did your SPD begin?

What physical activities are the hardest?

What coping strategies have you found to help deal with the pain?

Anything else you would like to tell us?

 

[Camellia]

I'll go first

How far along are you (or how far pp)? I am 30wks 4 days

When did your SPD begin? About 20 weeks, although from 27 weeks on its been much worse than it was earlier on.

What physical activities are the hardest? Walking and rolling over in bed/getting out of bed.

What coping strategies have you found to help deal with the pain? For rolling over in bed, I either put a pillow between my knees and squeeze it as I roll - or, I roll to my hands and knees and then to the other side rather than to my back and over.

Anything else you would like to tell us? SPD sucks and I'm not sure how I will go 2 more months.

 

[daekini]

nak
just popping in to send words of encouragement - mine disappeared as soon as Miles was born! wooHoo!

ali

 

[Camellia]

Quote:

Originally Posted by daekini nak just popping in to send words of encouragement - mine disappeared as soon as Miles was born! wooHoo! ali

That's wonderful news Ali! I hope the same for myself and all the other mama's who are bound to join us in this tribe

 

[bluets]

mine started in month 3 prenatally and finally cleared up in month 9 postpartum.

i had the problem that my doc didn't believe that i was in pain. i should have included the descriptor of "debilitating".

some useful material that i found:

acupuncture apparently works (http://www.swedish.org/111013.cfm)

there are European guidelines (they're more enlightened about this sort of thing... http://www.backpaineurope.org/web/fi...Guidelines.pdf)

and there's an organization in the UK that puts out this document for caregivers (and patients): http://www.padge.eclipse.co.uk/spd.doc -- i highly recommend reading this one before you give birth!

physical therapy helped postpartum but i'm sure it would help prenatally as well. my sister said that a trip to the chiropractor helped her. either way, make sure you see someone who specializes in prenatal work or in pelvic issues.

postpartum, you will want to focus on spinal alignment really carefully. "if it hurts, don't do it" really does apply. once i started focusing on spinal alignment, i noticed that i regained much of my pelvic stability. when i went to my last PT appointment (with a pelvic specialist), we were working on stability from my knees down - my hips and legs are hypermobile which probably contributes to SPD. magically, i noticed over the past few weeks, i'm moving around more easily. not quite ready to take up the exercises in exerciseafterpregnancy.com - afraid that i'll revert back to the state of constant pain....

 

[Camellia]

Thanks for the links bluets! I'm going to see about getting a referal to see some type of specialist for this issue. I'll be sure that they are qualified to work with pregnant women.

 

[allismom]

How far along are you (or how far pp)? I am 20 weeks now.

When did your SPD begin? The pain started around 18-19 weeks. I don't recall when it started in my first pregnancy.

What physical activities are the hardest? Lifting my leg to put on pants or shave legs. Rolling over in bed.

What coping strategies have you found to help deal with the pain? Roll over with knees together and slowly. Sit to dress pants and socks. I am trying chiropractic care this time around, have only gone once.

Anything else you would like to tell us? My pain got much better after birth, but I did still have some hip pain for about 6-9 months later. It was not constant though.

 

[EllasMama]

Wow, I had never heard of SPD, but I think I may have it, at least in a "mild" form. Every time I get up from sitting or lying position or try to lift my leg, I get sharp pain and pressure in my pubic bone area. It improves in a few minutes but still aches till I've moved around for a while. It's not debilitating, but it's quite uncomfortable and makes me not want to change position more than I have to. I mentioned pubic pain to my midwife back around week 20 but not much was made of it. I'm going to bring it up with my chiropractor, which I hadn't thought of doing. Thanks for mentioning this!

Carol

 

[Camellia]

Thanks for sharing with us Shari. Its good to hear of people who get better shortly after the birth - and then fully recover!

Carol, I hope you can find some support here and ril to deal with your SPD.

The past couple of days I've been feeling pretty overwhelmed with the pain. There are just so many things I need and want to do! My dd is only 18 months old. Thankfully she is very easy to care for (considering her age), but she still requires a lot of me physically.

At least I am in the home stretch. Here is hoping for a quick 9ish weeks or so!

 

[InochiZo]

Well, I don't have any SPD yet this PG but I had a lot last PG, which only lasted a short time after the birth. I do have low back pain now due to SI pelvic issues. I will probably have more problems later. At 22 wks I am hanging in.
I work in a PT office so I asked to today about the low back/SI issue and he gave me some great muscle energy things to do and said ice at night will help.
I plan to do less walking and running than last PG. I am doing cycling now and it doesn't seem to bother it so far. I didn't have diblitating pain but it wasn't fun either. Neither are the current low back issues. Sometimes I can't even take a step after sitting.