Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction

It is normal for ligaments in the pelvis to stretch during pregancy. This is caused by the pregancy hormone relaxin, which allows the pelvis to stretch to accomodate the growing baby. However, it is not normal for the pelvic bones to relax too early or too much. When this happens, this can cause great pain and create many physical problems. This problem is known as Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction, or SPD.

In my first pregnancy, I had very little pelvic pain. I would walk almost every day and my hip would feel as though it needed to pop, but that was the most discomfort I felt in regards to my pelvis. In my lastest pregancy, however, I began to experience SPD symptoms late in the fifth month of pregnancy.

I began to notice that if I had to climb stairs or lift my legs I would have a heavy feeling in my pelvis accompanied with some minor pain. At first I thought I had pulled a muscle. But as time went on, my pelvis would feel very warm and it became harder and harder to lift my legs. I mentioned this to my midwife and OB doctor, but they told me that I was probably just senstive to the pregnancy due to close pregnancies. Whatever that meant!

Late in my sixth month, I began to have trouble walking. Going to the mall was a big task. I had to sit down on a bench after walking for a few minutes because my hips and pelvis would feel as though they were on fire and needed to crack. Again, during my monthly visits to the OB, I was told that it was just my joints stretching and I had to "deal with it" until the baby was born.

In my seventh month, I could no longer get dressed on my own. I could not lift my legs to put underwear or pants on without great difficulty. I had to crawl up the stairs and it was impossible for me to carry my toddler up the stairs, so I had everything on our first floor (changing table, extra clothes, etc.) so I would not have to go up and down. I was basically stuck at home because going anywhere that I had to stand for a period of time was unbearable.

One night I was laying in bed and went to roll to my other side, and my pelvis felt like it snapped. It took my breath away. I was in excrusiating pain. I called the doctor, who then decided I had a deviated pelvis. Since I could not take pain medication because I was pregnant, I was advised to stay off my feet and use a walker when I had to move. I was told that the condition would go away once the baby was born and the pressure was off of my pelvis, but I was sent to physical therapy where they assessed my condition and affirmed the need for a walker or wheelchair. They also gave me a support band to wear to help lift the baby off of my pelvis.

My baby was born via c-section several weeks early due to preeclampsia problems. This was probably beneficial because I am not sure how I would have given birth naturally with Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction. After the surgery, the nurses were less than kind on moving me. They had a bit of trouble getting my bleeding under control and were rotating me from side to side frequently so I would not develop blood clots as well as trying to keep me clean. This was so painful! I suggest anyone who is pregnant that develops SPD talk with your doctor and come up with a birthing plan ahead of time in order to insure that your birth and/or nurses take care not to irritate the condition.

The pain from Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction lessened a few weeks after my baby was born. However, seven months later, I still experience pain when standing for a long time and after long walks. At night I experience some discomfort when I sleep on my right side. If I roll over my pelvis will audibly snap and sometimes this relieves the pain, other times it worsens it. I have been told that it might take a year for my pelvis to heal, and I've also been told that it may never heal.

I advise anyone that thinks they have Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction to speak to their doctor. If the doctor isn't willing to diagnose the problem and you know something is not right, do not hesitate to get a second opinion. Many doctors hesitate to diagnose the problem right away in the hopes that it will go away and heal on it's own. Medical intervention may be needed if the problem worsens.