Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction

[ClarisseMarie]

I mentioned this briefly in another thread, but I am pretty sure I have SPD. I mentioned it to my OB a few months back, and he agreed that the symptoms I was describing sounded like it, but he didn't do any examinations to confirm or anything like that. I'm bringing it up now, because I think it's getting worse. With every step I take, it feels like I have a vaginal bruise that someone is hitting as I walk. It hurts even worse to step up into my vehicle, and rolling over at night is excruciating. I've read stories online of women who have had it so bad they've needed crutches or a wheelchair! I don't feel like I'm anywhere near that point, though someone did ask me if I hurt my foot the other day, because I am apparently walking with a bit of a limp. But walking isn't the worst part for me really - it's the night time trying to roll from one side to the next that kills me. I'm going to talk to my OB about it some more on Wed., because if this is truly what I have, I know there are certain things to be mindful of during labor. Sometimes women with this can't get an epidural, because when you are numb, you could separate your legs too far and injure yourself. Also, it sounds as though some women end up being induced early because the pain gets too bad. And then the other thing is that it sounds like with this, you shouldn't push a baby out while lying on your back (I've given birth sitting sort of upright, but at a bit of a recline, in the past).

Has anyone else dealt with this or doe sanyone have any insight into it?

[missmc]

I don't have any experience with this, but I'm sorry you have to go through it! It sounds painful!

[macksmom]

Sorry I just noticed the title in new posts and thought I would chime in. I had it with all 3 of my pregnancies. It suuuuuucks. It's very painful but mine never got as bad as what you describe in your post. During my 3rd I almost considered trying to get a handicap pass for my car because it was so hard to walk for long. I got epidurals for 2 out of 3 with no problem. I REALLY wish I would have gotten one with #3 lol. It goes away right after delivery although I feel like I just recently felt it when I tried to do something but not nearly as bad as when I was pg.

The only thing my OB had recommended was a girdle that will push your hips together. I forgot what they are called but maybe you can ask yours or google it. I know it was like $80 or something and I didn't want to spend that much in my last few weeks of my last pregnancy.

I see you are close....hang in there! It will be over soon!

[haydensmom]

Huge hugs! I had this with all three but it was the worst with Carter! I actually did physical therapy for a while but it's a little late in the game for that. ;) I did go intervention free with Ava and Carter. Is that an option for you? If so, I highly recommend a doula, assuming you can find one in time. LOL! You're so close!!! Oh and I pushed all three out on my back with no problem. It took about 6 weeks for everything to go back to normal. I can't remember all of the stuff that can help like sleeping with a pillow between your legs... I'm sure you could find those things via Dr. Google.

[dunegirl]

Popping here, hope you don't mind . I had it BAD when I was preggo with dd. I went to the chiropractor, often, to get it popped back into place....life saver!!!!!! What also helped me a TON was to wear a belly band (purchased at target) around my hips at night while I slept.

I convinced my OB to take me off work at 33 or 34 weeks pregnant bc I was in sooooooooooo much pain (and my parent were coming to town hee hee and I ended up going into labor at 37w1d)

I'd say, go to a chiropractor, one who specialized in pregnancies, and have them fix you (it's INSTANT relief!) and hen have them show you how to pop it back I to place yourself.

[ClarisseMarie]

Thank you ladies for popping in to share your experiences! I really appreciate it!

I guess I should have added I already do go to a prenatal chiropractor weekly (she does the Webster and Logan techniques on me every week), and that has kept it under control for the past few months, but just recently it is getting bad again, and I just saw her yesterday and am STILL having some pain! I guess next week I should mention to her what is going on so maybe she can focus more on that area. Also, I do have a doula, so I'm not opposed to an intervention-free birth, but I also won't go much past my due date (my nerves can't handle it), and if I get to the point in labor where I'm not enjoying the process anymore or am just out of my mind in pain, I will opt for an epidural. So I'm not sure if an unmedicated birth will happen - I wanted to do that with Liam, but just didn't have it in me!

Maybe I should talk my OB into taking me off work! I like the sound of that! haha

My doula suggested keeping my knees together as much as possible, no squatting, those types of things and, again, it helped for a while, but doesn't seem to be helping anymore. I haven't been good about the pillow between my legs though, so maybe I need to try that again to see if it will help.

I am very relieved to hear it didn't seem to affect your labors, for those of you who experienced it. That is what was freaking me out as I was doing my google research.

[Babidol]

I think I have it too. It literally feels bruised down there and what is more weird is that if I push on my pubic bone area it actually hurts like a bruise. Mine is bad too when standing, getting in the car, rolling over at night. Some days are better than others. I do sleep with a pillow between my legs...one under my belly, one behind my back....it's a darn pillow fort in my bed!

[ClarisseMarie]

I think I have it too. It literally feels bruised down there and what is more weird is that if I push on my pubic bone area it actually hurts like a bruise. Mine is bad too when standing, getting in the car, rolling over at night. Some days are better than others. I do sleep with a pillow between my legs...one under my belly, one behind my back....it's a darn pillow fort in my bed!

Ugh I'm sorry you are dealing with this too! I was in no rush to have this baby until this past week or so, and all of a sudden I'm so ready! I obviously want her to bake a bit longer, but I'm just saying I wasn't really anxious for my due date to arrive until now!

[Babidol]

Maybe yours is worse because she's so big? I also don't think my LO is completely head down. I think she lays kind of Diagnol across my belly. Her head is on my left hip and her feet are under my right ribs. So she's not pushing that hard most of the time. When she is I can tell though because my belly gets super tight and her butt totally sticks out almost between my boobs. Thank you super short squat bone structure....

[ozzy]

It's been a while since I posted in here! Hopefully I can be more active now that I'm not so active! Thanks to this pubis thing!

Oh my, the pain is horrible! I have a hard time walking. My best time is actually in bed at night.. I think it's because baby moves up and isn't so low. Then I get progressively worse during the day until I can barely walk by bed time.

Anyway, I feel your pain and shudder at the thought of 5 more weeks like this! Both my boys were late, so odds are this baby will be too!

[LSVNurse]

I have it and see my chiro every 10 days to 2 weeks. It's really bad and I can't walk without waddling. Sooooo painful. (which also makes me confident this is my last pregnancy!!). My chiro recommended this website: http://www.plus-size-pregnancy.org/pubicpain.htm and though it says "plus-size pregnancy" - it's really information for all size mommas. I too wear the brace when it gets bad, but it's really more of a pain because you have to take it off every time you pee. My chiro also has me doing some cat and cow and gentle inversions to try and get the baby from pressing directly on that area.
Have you thought about opting for narcotics instead of an epidural should your pain during labor get unbearable? Maybe just a thought as that could help you get over the hump of the contractions that come on top of each other during transition, but have you ready to push effectively when the time comes?

We will get through this!!!!

[ClarisseMarie]

Thanks so much for sharing that link! I'm so sorry some of you other ladies are dealing with this! And maybe it IS getting worse because baby girl has gotten so big.

I slept with a pillow between my knees and ankles last night, and that helped a TON. So I'm thinking that I need to do that from now on. My chiro also talked to me several weeks ago about the cat pose, but she didn't say anything about the cow, so I'll have to look that up. And, I completely forgot about doing the cat pose until now, so I'm glad it was brought up!!

As far as narcotics during labor go, the thought did cross my mind. I had stadol during my labor with Madelyn and it did help, but the relief was so short-lived! The issue with her is they were inducing me at 34 weeks, and after 2 days Cervadil and Pitocin, I was not dilating, but was in excruciating pain, and they wouldn't let me have an epidural until I got to at least a 3. Thankfully they changed their minds, and as soon as I had the epidural, I started dilating, and I dilated fast! So it relaxed me so that my cervix could dilate. By the time I was in labor with Liam, they had changed the epidural formula so that I could still feel and move my legs the entire time, and by the time I was pushing, I felt like I could feel everything, at least everything I needed to feel. With Madelyn, they had to tell me when to push, because I couldn't feel a thing. So as long as it is a low-dose epidural like it was with Liam, I have no issue with it. The priority to me, beyond the given of putting the health of baby and me before everthing else, is to enjoy the experience as much as I possibly can. I expect and can deal with pain. But when pain becomes suffering, for me I'd rather just get the epidural. I suppose I could try Stadol again and see if, after that, I feel like I still need an epidural. But we shall see how I feel when the time comes! And I can't believe how soon that is! *insert scream here* lol.

[Linzo]

Same here too..Painful to walk, put my shoes on, roll, etc. My Ob gave me a blank stare when I asked about it with Mia so she wasn't too helpful lol. Pillow between my legs to sleep has been helpful but during the day it's torture to walk.