Symphysis Pubis Disfunction / Pelvic Girdle Pain

jalapenopopper

Anyone else diagnosed or believe they have this? I'm fairly certain I do cause the pain I've been feeling is aligned with what I've  read about it. It's painful but I've been able to manage, I know you guys aren't doctors but just hoping to get some insight from anyone who is also or has experience with this before. My main concern is how it may affect labor, goal is all natural *fingers crossed*. My next appointment is this Friday so I'll definitely press it more with my Dr, it's been dismissed as ligament pain before but I know it isn't normal pain.

Parley

I don't think it really means anything for labor one way or the other.

sarahmsoda

I was pretty convinced I had it too because at 36 weeks I could barely walk and was in so much pain in my pelvis and pubic bone. It honestly felt like it was going to crack in half. However by 38 weeks the pain almost completely subsided and now I feel much better so it couldn't have been SPD. 

I would give it time (if you haven't already) and definitely discuss it with your doctor. 

Kimberlyh90

My dr said it is mostly just the baby pushing on nerves. If feels like it's the bones, but it's not. Also, the placenta releases relaxin(sp) which is a hormone that loosens the cartilage between the pubis so baby can make her/his way out.

stumptownmama

I've had SPD pain since 14 weeks. It's terrible. Nothing has eased the pain but I refuse crutches or wheelchair. It's just not an option for me with an active toddler. The only thing I've done is see a chiropractor every other week. She pops things into place but it quickly pops back out. She said she would need to see me every other day to help keep the pain away. Since I'm paying out of pocket that just doesn't work for me. I've heard acupuncture can help but I haven't been able to get in. I've discussed how it will affect my labor extensively with my midwives and they all say it won't, but I've done a lot of my own research and have learned that laboring in water will be the best. Avoid positions where you are on your back with legs pulled back/stirrups. Hands and knees and squat bars are also good options. I'm planning med free as well. I didn't have this pain with my first pregnancy but I'm determined to push through. Everything hurts during labor and I'm hoping it will be the least of my concerns. 

andrawrmeda2

I've had this pain since finding out, it was one of the things that tipped me off actually cause I couldn't understand why my lower hips and pelvis hurt. It's horrible getting out of chairs or bed or up and down. If i am walking or standing, it's no issue but man it hurts when it acts up which is everyday. My doctor hasn't been concerned at all cause I asked if it would make my labor different. She just kinda shrugged it off actually, which upset me some cause it freaking hurts. I'm gonna bring it up again this week, but I doubt she'll say anything. We just went over pain ideas and rooming in/breastfeeding, whereas my 1st pregnancy, I was asked about all of that in the 2nd trimester.

jalapenopopper

Thanks everyone for your responses, I was nervous I was the only one going through this because I've mentioned it to friends, family and coworkers and they've either responded with never having that pain or "it's just your ligaments stretching and if that hurts, you should buckle up cause labor will be WAY worse" but @sarahmsoda it absolutely feels like your pelvis is going to crack in half! 

@underthesea thanks for the suggestions, that's what I was concerned about and why I plan on sticking to med free because I don't want to be locked into one position. I'm also paranoid I might get a fracture or break something and not know until after labor but that's just me prepping for the worst possible scenario lol

catmommac

Lurking from Feb...

I haven't been diagnosed with it, but I feel like so have it. Turning over in bed is a nightmare of pain. I feel like it's ripping apart. I haven't mentioned it to my doctor yet because I feel like it's par for the course of being pregnant, but I think I'm going to mention it this week because it brings me to tears often. 

stumptownmama

It's totally frustrating that a lot of docs and the general public cannot understand how painful it is and that it's not "normal pregnancy pain". It's a real issue. There is a group on Facebook called SPD in pregnancy. They have a lot of suggestions. I have hypermobility and looser than normal ligaments in my hips and pelvis. The extra relaxin produced in pregnancy is more of a hindrance for me and a bit dangerous. I will be starting physical therapy after my daughter is born to help but it's more than just a pelvic floor issue for me so I need to find someone who understands. 

Don't worry too much about fracturing something while pushing. That will just tense you up and inhibit your pelvis from relaxing. I wish you the best of luck with it. When are you due?

MamaandNurse

purplewriter said:

Lurking from Feb...

I haven't been diagnosed with it, but I feel like so have it. Turning over in bed is a nightmare of pain. I feel like it's ripping apart. I haven't mentioned it to my doctor yet because I feel like it's par for the course of being pregnant, but I think I'm going to mention it this week because it brings me to tears often. 

Being pregnant is really uncomfortable but nothing "normal" should be causing you that much pain unless it's labor. I would definitely bring it up to your doctor. STM here and I have never had that kind of pain you're describing.

jalapenopopper

@purplewriter I get the same pains when moving throughout the night, that's initially what caused my concern because it's so painful and that paired with getting up numerous times to use the bathroom pretty much left me restless the entire night. I just started using a support belt around my hips and a heating pad set on low or medium at night to help with the discomfort, it's been working okay so far as it hasn't been as painful getting in and out of bed but it's still important to maneuver slowly and carefully.

@underthesea it's incredibly frustrating! Idk about you, but it's been the cause of my "waddle" and it's been the most annoying thing to have people comment on the way I walk and think it's cute or imitate me, when really it's because I'm in pain. I'm really sorry you're having to cope with SPD along with the other ligament issues, I truly hope everything works out well for you as well and the physical therapy helps. I will have to look into that facebook group, I'm due the 19th but baby has been measuring 2 weeks ahead my past 2 appointments so I have a growth ultrasound this Friday to see if I need to be induced earlier. 

stumptownmama

@jalapenopopper I'm due on the 11th so either one of us could deliver first. I'll let you know how it goes and hope you do the same for me!

jalapenopopper

@underthesea best of luck with everything! And yes, please let me know how it goes and I'll for sure do the same

sarah1198

I mentioned this same thing to my doctor a month or so ago and she did acknowledge it was a little early to be feeling this much pain but just attributed it to the relaxin and suggested i get one of the support belts and use it around my hips. Sure that may help during the day but the pain is at night in bed etc. Im pretty sure it doesnt affect labor. Good luck and just like everything else, the only cure is having that little munchkin!!

jalapenopopper

@sarah1198 my doctor said pretty much the same thing, I'm going to bring it up to her again tomorrow but I've been using a support belt throughout the day as well and a heating pad at night which has seemed to help, at least in the morning it makes the pain more manageable with getting ready for work and getting dressed. Fingers crossed she comes soon!!

stumptownmama

@jalapenopopper I am so happy to report that I was able to have my baby girl naturally without feeling any more discomfort from the SPD. I'm still sore in that area but I didn't expect it to disappear quickly. I hope you are able to have a great birth! Keep me posted. 

jalapenopopper

@underthesea congratulations!! I am so happy to hear that my little girl is still snug and comfortable but I'm hoping she'll be here soon. I hope you stay rested mama and you have a fast recovery! I'll be sure to update once this little one makes her arrival!

stumptownmama

jalapenopopper said:

@underthesea congratulations!! I am so happy to hear that my little girl is still snug and comfortable but I'm hoping she'll be here soon. I hope you stay rested mama and you have a fast recovery! I'll be sure to update once this little one makes her arrival!

Thank you! Good luck to you. 

jalapenopopper

@underthesea our baby girl made her debut on Jan 25! I had to be induced and ended up getting an epidural so I was able to give birth naturally as well