Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction

JAM85 · February 2014

Anyone have experience with it? After I injured myself in the left groin/pubic area unloading a pallet at work 10 days ago I have had the following issues: extreme pain when straddling anything, pain when trying to get into bed or out and into a car, pain when lifting left leg in particular as that is where the first thing happened, I have increasing pain and limping/waddling when walking which is triggering cramping if I do it too much (causing work issues) and slight feeling of numbness in left leg if I have to keep walking on it. None of this is on the outside of the leg (ie not the sciatica) but like deep in the groin to the bone on the left and spreads to the center. I had none of these issues before the accident and it is not getting better as a strain might have so I am wondering if tipped an imbalance
over the edge.

ETA a link for people curious: https://www.athletico.com/2012/02/08/pelvic-pain-during-pregnancy-what-is-symphysis-pubic-dysfunction/

MrsT2008 · February 2014

Sounds like SPD to me. The biggest problem for people with SPD is with the movement separating the legs (so getting on/off the bed, in/out of the car, etc).

Maternity support belts can help take some of the pressure off the region, otherwise, basically try to limit those movements. Mine was getting bad last week and I've been careful to limit the movements that were causing a lot of pain (try to keep move your legs together whenever possible - like I get on my side, bring my knees up toward me belly and then kind of sit myself up before getting out of bed. And sit down when you put on pants.) and it's definitely feeling better. I'd also mention it to your OB at your next appt, just to see what they say/suggest, especially if it's really bad.

2014poppy · February 2014

I've got it too and on some days any amount of walking is very painful. As you said it's lifting up my leg that is the worst. So basics like putting on underwear is like an Olympic event.
My nurse suggested wearing a pregnancy girdle thing to take some of the weight of the belly off the pubic area but my ob said that would just add extra stuff to do without helping much. Oh the endless joys of pregnancy!

JAM85 · February 2014

Well at least I'm not alone! I'm a FTM and unfortunately my job is almost
Completely physical and involves lifting produce boxes, walking and standing almost the entire time and that is what triggered it. I talked to my boss and he doesn't know how much they can accommodate me so looks like I will have to take a huge cut in hours and pay before the babe even gets here and I have no paid time off accrued as it is a new job since we moved. So it's definitely a massive pain for many reasons! I am looking into a belt too but for the extra cost I am also wondering how much it would help.

ksyknelvr73 · February 2014

Yep...I had it with my son, for about the last 8 weeks. I have dealt with it on and off this time since about 24 weeks. It hurts terribly. For me, the worst is when I have to get up from sitting (especially at work, I have a desk job). I have a hard time getting up in general and then I basivally have to waddle for a few minutes just to get around. It can be pretty brutal. One of the things that helped me was sleeping with a pillow between my knees....it at least made the first part of my day easier.

JAM85 · February 2014

I surrendered and got a snoggle pillow and that has been invaluable the first part of the day when I don't walk or
Move much is so nice- although it hurts getting my legs into position.

Mamazon2014 · February 2014

I've been dealing with it since around 20 weeks. Stairs suck, getting out of bed sucks, putting on pants sucks, getting in our truck sucks.

some days it feels like i am being kicked in the vag with a pair of steel toe boots. I asked the doctor about it and she said to take Tylenol, use a hot pad for short periods, and if it got too bad, she would send me to PT, but that it probably wouldn't get better or go away until after the birth.

IBackBevo · February 2014

I have not been diagnosed with this, but I have something going on in my pubic area. It is mainly on the left side and is painful when I lift my leg, walk, etc. I have started seeing a Webster trained chiropractor.

Allibob · February 2014

I had it bad last pregnancy but have somehow lucked out so far this time. I had a hard time walking too far, which put a cramp on my exercise. I was somehow able to do the stair master with no pain though. Makes no sense since actual stairs were brutal. Anyways, I agree with PP that said to keep your knees together when you roll over in bed or get up. Ask your OB for a PT referral. They can be really helpful. Sorry you're dealing with this!

sthomas1222 · February 2014

I had it last time. It was my first symptom this time. I now have a handicap sticker. I switched chiropractors b/c my old one, who was invaluable last pregnancy, was no longer working this time. Both times when I started seeing the chiro I was close to throwing in the towel and getting a wheelchair (some people do end up needing one

). Now I'm almost pain free. I tried PT last time and it just made it worse. My OB tried to brush it off as normal. Uhm feeling like someone is taking a white-hot machete to the dead center of my crotch is not normal. Pain that makes me cry out with each step and hold my pee for hours is not normal.

Fitpreggo · February 2014

I think I might have this... Not to the extent that some of u girls are describing tho. For months I have had pain in my Vagina... It's on the public bone and it constantly feels sore like a bruise or a strained/pulled muscle. Like when u take off one shoe using the other foot behind and it strains that pubic muscle... That's what it feels like ALL the time!! I've noticed it for what seems like as long as i can remever now or the last few months at least... Maybe I should bring it up to the doctor at my next appt!

So sorry to any of u going through this! I sure hope it doesn't get worse... I'm a FTM

JAM85 · February 2014

I am going to try to get an earlier appt with my ob and see if I can't get some pt even for just 2.5 more months. I don't think my insurance will cover chiropractor (pregnancy Medicaid) else I would try that and I'm now losing hours at work due to this since I can't do the majority of my job now

I was also going to see if swimming with a pull buoy between my legs would hep a) allow me to get some exercise and b) help due to being weightless and keeping legs together

andoll8 · February 2014

I've applied several tactics to deal with SPD:

1. maternity support band - 2 hrs. in AM 1 hr in PM (you don't want to wear it too much, or your muscles will become dependent on it making it counterproductive).

2. monthly pre-natal chiropractice adjustments and pre-natal massage. some medical insurance policies actually cover this, so look into it!

3. pre-natal aqua aerobics 1-2x weekly - there's nothing as wonderful as the pool at this stage in pregnancy!

be well.

LabbyLove · February 2014

I have something similar but the pain us in the back of my pelvic area on the right side. I am seeing a chiropractor but haven't gotten any relief from the adjustment. I also got a SI lock band but it hasn't really helped. I try to keep my legs together when sitting down or standing up and all that. That does seem to help avoid triggering the pain. I'm debating crutches because I hate being immobile. I actually have cut my fluid intake way back because it hurts to walk and I don't want to have to go to the bathroom. My OB was of no help. My general practitioner was the one who referred me to the chiropractor. She looked at my spine and could see it curving to the right so she knew it wasn't the baby sitting in a nerve like my OB thought.

LDQAM516 · February 2014

I had this with my first daughter…visited a physical therapist and she gave me stretches/exercises to do and it worked wonders. She actually measured my pelvic region and it was out of line due to close pregnancies…which is totally normal.

iqwedding3 · March 2014

Wow, there's a name for this? I thought it was round ligament stuff. I've had a lot of pain similar to that described since late in the first trimester.

zalm7090 · March 2014

I've been struggling with my SPD since about 18 weeks, too. However, my doc claims it's merely RLP even though I expressed how painful it was. Either way, you are not alone! It's awful and makes me want to rip my hair out when putting pants on.

ckandi007 · March 2014

I had it with my first around 30 weeks and it's the same for this pregnancy though doesn't seem as bad. I can't sleep on my side because it's too painful and so I try to keep my legs together when rolling out of bed or getting out of a car. DH had to put my socks on the other day because lifting my leg was too painful and I was just barely able to put my pants on. Wearing a supportive maternity belt definitely helps!

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