Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)

How is SPD treated?

Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)
Many women experience discomforts during pregnancy that they had never experienced before. During pregnancy, your body produces hormones and body parts shift to meet the demands of your growing baby. Your body produces a hormone known as relaxin during pregnancy. Relaxin softens the ligaments in your pelvis to enable your baby to pass through your pelvis. Normally, the two halves of your pelvis do not move very easily because the symphysis pubis is strengthened by ligaments. If one side of your pelvis moves more than the other side, you can experience pain and inflammation. This can happen when you walk or move your legs and the pain can become severe.



The most common symptoms of symphysis pubis dydfunction are pain in the pubic area and groin. If you suffer from SPD, you might also complain of back pain, hip pain, or grinding in your pubic area. Sometimes the pain does radiate down the inside of the thighs or between the legs. Women that experience the symptoms of SPD have a hard time walking, going up stairs and other activities that involve separating their legs. It may be hard to get up in the night to use the restroom and getting sleep may be harder.

SPD generally affects women in the end of the first timester or after delivery. However, you can experience symptoms at any point during the pregnancy. If you have the symptoms of SPD in one pregnany, it is likely that you will experience the same symptoms with recurring pregnancies. During later pregnancies, the symptoms tend to start earlier and progress faster.

If you think that you are suffering from SPD, you should contact your obstetrician or midwife for an evaluation. Your doctor will do a series of tests that look at leg movements, stability and localized pain in your pelvic area. Treatment generally involves wearing a pelvic support belt and doing exercises that improve the stability of your pelvis and back. Water exercises or acupuncture can be helpful and often offer relief. Make sure you ask your doctor any questions you have pertaining to the birth of your baby with SPD.

If you suffer from symphysis pubis dysfunction, you should keep in mind several things that will help with your pain. You should try to move around frequently throughout the day, but in small amounts. When you are sitting, make sure that you sit upright and keep your back well supported. If at all possible, it is best to avoid heavy lifting or pushing. Sit down to put your pants, shoes or socks on. Do not try to step into dresses, skirts or pants. When you are climbing stairs, climb them one step at a time. Stretching your legs to far apart at once can make the pain significantly worse. If you must separate your legs, take it slowly and keep your back arched.

Many women do continue to feel the pain after delivery. Generally, the symptoms do improve after delivery and eventually fade away. If your pain is still bothersome, continue to do the pain relief exercises and seek the advice of your caregiver. Women also may have the same symptoms around the time of their monthly menstrual cycle. This is because a woman's body secretes hormones similar to relaxin during menstruation.



Comments: Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)

Comments 51 to 74 of about 105.
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DawnM - 237 days ago.
Hi julz I hear your pain and frustration at not being able to pick up your 2yr old. I am now 35wks pregnant and some days I'm so fed up and in pain it feels like it will never end but other days I'm much better. My daughter (now 20mths) seems to understand that Mommy cant pick her up and has found amazing was to get what she wants including waiting for me to sit down draggin over her little chair and climbing on it to get onto my lap for a cuddle. She comes into my bed every morning and demands to 'see' the baby and I have to lift my PJs so she can cuddle my bump and kiss it. She was most amused the other day when after blowing rasperarys on my tummy the baby kicked back, she giggled for ages. i think she understands that Mommy still loves her but cant play with her the same as before, which helps my guilt. However it doesn't help when trying to do the basic day to day caring of her, like bathing and changing etc. I can't wait to give birth now and be able to pick her up and cuddle her whenever I want without pain. I am still planning on a home birth but my body is showing signs of being very ready for labour and the baby is 'wedged' in my pelvis and has been for two weeks. My midwife has asked me to pack a hospital bag just incase I go into labour before 37wks! So every day is spent on tender hooks watching for the slightest contraction as after my 30min labour with my daughter I have to make sure I get to the hospital fast!

Bab.E.Blue - 241 days ago.
Im 21 weeks along on my 3rd pregnancy my doctor told me at my last visit that due to the pain i was describing it sounded like i have SPD that was a month ago and the pain is just getting excruciatingly worse is hurts to stand walk turn over in bed my Dr just told me this week that i need to stop working but my boss says its too early for me to take my maternity leave and i make the majority of the money and im really starting to freak its bad enough im constantly in pain its hurts so bad i just want to cry all the time it feels as if my right hip is just going to disintegrate into a thousand pieces and i have no pelvic support i hate i cant wait for this baby to get here and not only the SPD is killing but the baby has already turned and is in the position for delivery he is so low im constantly feeling as if he is just going to fall out i have to worry about preterm labor im going crazy can somebody please tell me how i can relive this pain just even a little bit i don't know if i can go all the way to august

julz - 242 days ago.
The pain was so bad last night that I was in tears. I feel like i can't pick up my two year old son anymore, it's going to be a long 17 weeks but so worth it. Oh I just want some relief. I feel bad for my kids because I feel like I can't do as much with them, I feel like I am always asking them for help or laying down because I hurt so much. Anyone else??

marlamarie - 242 days ago.
Well I finally went out of work. I am a high school teacher in a very large building so getting around was very difficult. My last two weeks I was in a wheelchair--which really helped! My blood pressure also went up--I think because being in pain causes great frustration--I hate relying on others for things all the time. My students were very helpful but I just needed to be home to put my feet up when necessary. I really like the recliner idea. Sleep is terrible. Rolling over might as well be labor pain for me. The most comfortable position is on my back--which isn't great for the baby but if I lay on my side all night I can't sleep well--that seems to make my pelvic bone worse in the morning. And to all you SPD women---when I told my doctor about this condition and all I had learned, I was super surprised to find out that she had never heard of it--yet all the websites I have researched say that SPD is not that uncommon. I'm thinking that OB/GYN's must really be missing some info in their residency!!! The thought of going 16 more weeks is tough, but having a healthy baby will be worth it!! take care

KatieB - 246 days ago.
Hello everyone! I can't believe I found out what I have...I thought I was making the pain up! Some days are better but nights seem to be getting worse. I wake up in really bad pain then have a hard time moving and can't get comfortable. Today I enter 23 weeks...I can't think of 3+ months like this! At my last dr's apt I told her how I felt but we thought it was b/c I had just gotten off bedrest....now that I know what it is I'm going to tell her at my next apt. I find if I walk the dog I feel a little better but at the end of the day I'm just tired. I'm so sad that I can't even cross my legs, that's how I alway sit!! I hope you all are finding ways to ease the pain!

shenay21 - 249 days ago.
To my fellow SPD ladies...I feel your pain literally and found with my first pregnancy that SLEEPING IN A RECLINER GREATLY HELPED with the pain. Though I am really hurting by the end of the day, at least it gets gradually worse throughout the day instead of waking up to excrutiating pain first thing! I am 30 weeks into my 2nd and though the pain started earlier this time at least I knew to go straight to my recliner for sleeping. We even purchased another 4 months ago to have right in our bedroom as we knew I'd be in it for awhile. I can only help that this 'tidbit' helps another sufferer out there! A pillow between the legs at night did nothing for me! Good luck and take comfort in the fact that it will probably go away soon after the birth of your beautiful baby.

julz - 256 days ago.
Thank you so much, I feel like I have okay days and really bad days, today I ams till in alot of pain, btu not as bad as tuesday. I am thinking maybe I will get my docs to fill out a Family Medical Leave form, so I can be off whenever I am struggling. I have a 2 year old at home and I had trouble carrying him down the stairs yesterday, I need to start limiting myself more. For right now I am going to work as long as I can, hubby has been great helping me around the house, but I am pretty sure the further along I get, the more pain I will be in..so I'm sure time off of work will be in my near future.

DawnM - 256 days ago.
Hi julz my heart goes out to you. I havent worked more than a few days since I was 17weeks pregnant. Each time I returned to work I only lasted a day or two before I ended up hurting myself bending or slipping or just walking and ending up being bedridden. My advice to you is stop work as soon as you cant function safely. Its hard and you'll go through a million emotions but I've now come to accept that sick pay is there for a reason, I havent brought this condition on myself and a mummy in pain is no help to my 19mth old and my unborn baby. Not to mention the extra pressure on my hubby if I am unable to even walk up the stairs let alone help out at home. I am now able to rest when I hurt (depending on my daughters needs) and can avoid or cancel things if I'm having a bad day. It get worse the heavier the baby gets and the position they are in, my baby likes my back and pelvis area so I have extra pressure when she moves! At the end of the day a pregnancy can be complicated enough without us trying to be super mums. I'm now 32wks and cant wait for the birth, being a mom to a newborn was a breeze last time after coping with pain for nine months- i'm sure this will be the same!

julz - 258 days ago.
I am really in pain today from the moment I got out of bed, I don't even want to get up from my desk at work. I feel like I if I take a normal size step that I am going to rip in half..OMG it hurts so much today....I am only 21 weeks..any advise??????

Nessa-Ireland - 264 days ago.
I am 32.5 weeks pregnant with my second child. I was diagnosed with SPD about 4/6 weeks ago but i had been experiancing symptons for about 6 weeks before i had been diagnosed. I was referred to a physiotherapist and that didnt actually help that much. The physio just told me to do pelvic floor excerises at home and to wera a maternity belt. Anyway, i didnt suffer from SPD with my first pregnancy and my doctor told me that if you have a difficult delivery with a child you can have SPD with future pregnancies. The health system in Ireland is not that great and when i was having my son i had a 28 hour labour with 3 hours of pushing until they finally cut me and used the vacuum suction. The next day a few doctors came to talk to me and told me that i should have had an emergency section. My symptons are worst when i get up after sitting and find it very difficult at night time. Its not too bad when im walking up stairs or getting in/out of a car. But can be quiet painfull if i have to walk a long distance. Hopefully it will clear up after i have this baby. Hopfeully i wont have a difficuly labour this time around... Best of luck to you all.

sarahc - 266 days ago.
hi there. i had spd badly with my daughter and now 5 weeks pregnant with my second. really worried how bad its going to be this time as my daughter is only 13 months old. all i can say to make any of you first timers feel better is that the spd went away almost immediately i gave birth! amazing feeling! :)

MissyJo - 267 days ago.
Hi, Ladies! I'm so happy to have found this forum - I started suffering from SPD about 6 or 7 weeks ago, and I am now 24.5w pg. I thought I had just pulled my groin, and it would go away soon. But, while it did get initially slightly better, it has been declining again in the past two weeks. I'm really worried that if this continues, I'll be on bedrest within a month or two - I still have 3.5 to go! Yikes - and ugh for my two other babes, almost 4y and 1.5y. Anyhow, I've heard a maternity support belt can be very helpful (at least according to some reviewers on Amazon). Anyone here have a particular model or brand they find is better (or not). I just tried the 'Best Cradle,' but I ordered a size-up per another reviewer, and that was a mistake, so I returned it. I wasn't crazy about the shoulder straps, either. While I get their function, and figured it for the best, you can absolutely see them under most tshirts, and it looks horrible. I'll put vanity aside and again order this one (in the right size), if you all think that's best. But, are those ones that don't go over your shoulder, like Mother-to-Be and Especially-for-Mom equally as helpful?? Anyone have an tips??? Thanks so much! My heart goes out to all of you ... this is dreadful. I'm so grateful I didn't have SPD in my first two pregnancies! Just this last one ... :( (he'll be worth it, though!)

lynsey-3 - 269 days ago.
well ladies, i hope this will give you a bit of hope. i seen my consultant yday in regards to being induced as i am on crutches and in agony because of spd, this is my 3rd baby and i have never been in so much pain. anyway, my consultant is taking me in next wk at 38wks to induce me as i cant handle it anymore, i never thought they would give me an induction but i am so so happy about it. there is hope out there if u can hold out to 37+wks ur dr should do something for u. xxx

DawnM - 274 days ago.
Hi All. Its been 37 days since I last posted and I am definatly less positive now I am huge and 30 weeks. I am on crutches full time and having to use a wheelchair if i am out shopping. I have worked 6days since the begining of december as I am unsafe to be in the classroom due to the pain and the lack of mobility. My daughter is a fabulous 18month old who doesnt understand why Mommy is no fun any more and it breaks my heart when she asks to be picked up and I just can't manage it. I've had to cut down on the physio too as its so painful and we are now on 'damage limitation' excercises. I am miserable most of the time and feel like a burdon to my family and friends. I can't wait for the birth and the pregnancy to be over with. Whoever said women bloom when pregnant hadn't met me! Still planning on a natural home birth though and my midwife has been fantasicly supportive. I had a 4d scan 3 weeks ago and all the misery and pain disappeared when I saw my daughter moving around from the womb. I now put the dvd on to remind myself this is all worth it and whats a few weeks of hell in comparision to bring a child into the world. Keep you chin up ladies we are all strong enough to get through this :o)

julz - 276 days ago.
I am pretty sure this is what I have too. My ob refered me to the chiropractor, they did help my lower back, but gave me no relief for my pubic bone. I am only 18 weeks, and in the past 3-4 weeks it had really gotten bad.

soon-to-be-3 - 277 days ago.
I am 23 weeks pregnant, and I think this is what I am dealing with. Turning over in bed is excruciating, as well as walking, lifting a leg, etc. I am also a teacher and am wondering how I am going to make it for the next few months. I am glad that I found this because everyone's explanations for what I have been feeling is that . . . I am older. . . it's a boy, etc. I did not feel anything like this with my first two. I am open to any suggestions, but it is a relief to know that this will not affect the baby.

marlamarie - 282 days ago.
I am certainly not relieved from pain but sooooo happy that I finally found info on what I have and can read what everyone else is going through. I have a daughter that is now almost 6 and suffered miserably through my first pregnancy. No one seemed to be able to tell me what I had. So three months before she was born I went out on bedrest because I could barely move and cried in pain everyday. For that reason I didn't want to have more children. Well, six years later I am pregnant again and 18 weeks along. I prayed the pain wouldn't return but unfortunately it has. I have not even told my husband yet because I don't want him to worry. I am a teacher and required to be on my feet everyday--I'm dying already. It certainly takes some of the fun of being pregnant away!!! Please let me know of anything that anyone has done to help. I hate to leave so early again----Just writing this message has made me feel better knowing that my doctors don't think I'm crazy now--I can't wait for labor--that is the easy part for me!!!

jade - 283 days ago.
hey all. by the sounds of things I have this condition, not as bad as most of u by the sounds of things but quite bad.. the pain only really triggers whenn im laying down or carrying my one year old daughter. I never expeirenced this in my first pregnancy.. so what id like to no is does it make birth anymore painfull.. I imagine it would?

Tara83 - 284 days ago.
Thanks ladies. I too found the physio to be terrible I only went to a few sessions when I was pregnant with my daughter and then gave up and was put on bed rest. I was given pain killers last time and this time too.

yummy-mummy-shell: I am sorry to hear it only got worse for you. Try to take it easy ;o) It really is a terrible condition to deal with.

lynsey-3: That is great that it skipped your second pregnancy all together. I already can't stand to walk for more then 10 minutes. You are almost there so hang on a little longer and it will all be over with and well worth it ;o)

lynsey-3 - 285 days ago.
for tara83 and yummy mummy shell: i had spd in my 1st preg with my son, he is now 6yrs old, i only had it in the last cple wks so it didnt really affect me that much, in my 2nd preg with my daughter i didnt have it at all, but this is my 3rd preg and i have had it since 14/15 wks and had crutches since about 21wks, im now 36wks and its un bearable, it is awful i no exactly how u feel. i have been given paracetamol, co-codamol and ibuprofen all of which do very little, the more u rest the more it will hurt thats wot i found, the excersises i got from physio were excrutiating so just left them. u will also feel it more when u have been walking, i cant go far now, my sons scholl is a 5min walk round the corner and it takes me 40 mins there and back. plus i also have a 2yr old. i see my consultant in 2 weeks about being induced because of it, xxxx

~* Yummy Mummy Shell *~ - 285 days ago.
Heya im in the same position as you, have a young daughter (had spd when i was expecting her too). I found my SPD came back very early in the pregnancy too, things became worst where i started using crutches at 21/22 wks (im 25 wks now). I think every person is different. I know my spd became bad quickly because i have a preexisting spinal condition which means i have a very misaligned pelvis anyway (before pregnancy). Im not sure whether it is related to how soon after first child u have second pregnancy. I hope yours doesnt get too bad for you, i really do know how you feel. Its a miserable condition and one which im having to have a c-section for because my condition has become DSP. Please dont let this worry you, its unusual for it to happen. Make sure you get plenty of support and painkillers (if you need them, dont worry drs dont prescribe them if there is a risk to baby, no matter what ppl say). Good luck and i hope your condition doesnt get bad quickly

Tara83 - 286 days ago.
I had sever SPD during my pregnancy with my daughter. I was on bed rest for what felt like forever and couldn't walk at all towards the end. I was induced and had my daughter on my first day in my 38th week. All went well I had a vaginal delivery and no complications she was just perfect.

Now I am 16 weeks (about to be 17 weeks on wed) and I am starting to already feel the on set of the SPD returning. My daughter is only a year old so I dont know if that is also one of the reasons I am starting to feel it so early on.

I was just wondering for all of you second timers how bad the SPD got the second time around and at what point it started to get really bad (like which week)

Thanks ;o)

dawnht - 310 days ago.
Hi Everyone, It is now 2 weeks exactly since I gave birth to my daughter by C/Section. Although the first few days were quite difficult for me, as I was bed ridden for the first 4 days. When I finally managed to get out of bed I was so slow that the snails over took me. It however has got better by the day and I can see progress by the day. I can now walk almost normally and without wobbling, I can walk downstairs normally. Haven't quite managed the upstairs in the normal swing yet but feel it is very close. Before I gave birth my partner was able to empty the car of shopping in 3 trips to the car and almost put everything away by the time it took me to get to the house. He was laughing at me yesterday as I managed to get there before him. It is so great to be getting back to my pre pregancy state, or pre SPD. Well this is most likely my last post on this site and I thought I would end it in cheer and hope for all of you who are suffering from this absolutely awful condition. Keep your spirits up, don't forget to do your exercises. When it all gets too much have a good cry, it will be over sooner than you think and you will have a beautiful bundle to take home and you will think afterwards it was all worth while. So I wish you all good luck and the warmest wishes xxxxxx

DawnM - 311 days ago.
Hi Kellybelly dont loose hope theres loads you can do this early. I've posted the exercises my physio has given me to strengthen my core and help support the weight as the pregnancy develops its in a message from 16days ago. A support belt will definatly help I have one that goes under my bump and up my back and over the top of my bump so i'm supported all over. I am on crutches too which has helped to slow the condition down. Unfortunatly I was knocked over and inflamed everything which excellerated the condition and am now heading for a wheelchair but for you you are still in the early stages so can get help. The biggest thing to do is nag your midwife or doctor and get refered to a good physio as soon as possible. The earlier you start the prevention strategies the more the condition can be managed. Good luck and let us know how you get on with the doctors.

kelleybelley - 312 days ago.
Hi everyone. I suffered so badly with SPD with my 1st pregnancy last year. Now I am pregnant again and absolutely terrified of SPD coming on again. If anyone has any tips for how to avoid this or minimize it, please share. I have been walking every day for the past week hoping maybe it will help and I can't even enjoy it, as I'm doing it I just keep thinking 'I hope I'm not going to make the SPD worse.' My doctors never acknowledged the problem and I was just told it was normal throughout the pregnancy, but I never asserted myself. I figured there wasn't much that could be done anyway. I spent the last 2 months in total agony. I would wake up in the morning and start crying at the thought of going through the day. If I had to go to the store or something it was an ordeal, I had to have someone to hold on to because I could hardly walk. Anyway I know I am preaching to the choir but I think it's important to share about this. I am so scared!! That's part of the reason I decided to get pregnant again so soon. I knew I wanted another baby and I just wanted to get the pregnancy over with.

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