| Product: |
Pregnancy Complications |
| Date: |
17/09/01 (5519 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Knowledge of the condition
Disadvantages: Not all GP's know about it.
READ THIS IF YOU'RE PREGNANT!!!!
SPD is NOT a Urine Infection!
My daughter Katy is pregnant with my first grandchild. Her baby (a girl) is due at the end of November. After the first couple of months Katy started complaining of pains in the pelvis/lower back and hip areas.
She went to the GP and she diagnosed a urine infection. Katy was treated with anti-biotics. When she'd finished her course of tablets the pain was still there. Over the next couple of months the pains got worse, spreading down her thighs, a constant nagging pain she was learning to live with. Paracetamol offered a little respite but Katy was reluctant to risk damage to the baby by taking anything stronger.
Then one day I bumped into a friend who happened to be a nurse. By coincidence her daughter was also pregnant and she was suffering from a great deal of pain due to a condition known as Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD). My friend told me that their GP had also been treating her daughter for a urine infection, which is a common mistake as many doctors have little or no knowledge of SPD. She gave me a copy of a magazine article and the website address of the British SPD Support Group. She suggested Katy take this information to her GP and see if it might be what she was suffering from.
We did this and fortuately the GP was honest enough to admit he hadn't come across the condition before and made an appointment for Katy to see a specialist. We have just returned from seeing a physiotherapist at the maternity hospital. We felt it important that other pregnant women who might be suffering from the same condition whilst their doctor treats them for a urine infection.
Below are a few details taken from the British SPD Support Group's leaflet about what to look for if you suspect you may have the condition.
WHAT IS SYMPHASIS PUBIS DYSFUNCTION?
Hormones present during pregnancy cause the ligaments in the
body to soften and stretch, this in turn, causes the Symphasis Pubis (a ligament connecting the bones at the bottom front of the pelvic floor) to weaken. The increasing weight of the growing baby in the womb causes more and more pain.
The pain can be felt when walking, turning over in bed, in the areas of the groin, lower abdomen and inner thigh. An Ultrasound scan can confirm and diagnose the degree of the condition.
Treatment includes GP prescribed painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. A physiotherapist can suggest exercises to help ease the pain and may suggest the use of a special corset type belt or Tubigrip to help support the pelvis.
If anyone suspects they may be suffering from this condition it is important to seek advice from your GP as the delivery of the baby can be more difficult if it is left undiagnosed, for instance, spreading the legs will be incredibly painful. Visit the SPD website or contact them at the address below for more information and assistance.
The British SPD Support Group Head Office
2 Chapel Place
Ramsgate
Kent
CT11 9RY
Tel. 01843 587356
Fax. 01843 587523
Email. info@spd-uk.org
Website. www.spd-uk.org
If this opinion helps just one woman through a difficult pregnancy it will have been worth writing. Good luck.
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Last comments:
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- 10/03/09 Hey to all sufferers!!
I was 32 weeks pregnant when I damaged my pelvis from getting in and out of my car. The physio diagnosed me right away with SPD - a very acute damage at that. I was in so much pain I could not walk. The last 6 weeks of my preg I spent on my couch - I couldn't even get up the stairs to my own bed:(
I had an epidural at the birth (which was a welcome relief after 6 weeks of agony!) Right after the birth I could walk unaided but still suffered with crouching/walking/stairs and gen getting from sitting to standing, some days my pelvis just gave way.
Evelyn is now 9 months and I have been somewhat restricted throughout the 9 months but like most things I have good days and bad not helped with my ambition to get back into the gym!!
In the past 2 weeks I gave up on physio and started to see a Chiropractor who has helped me considerably already!!
I would recommend a Chiropractor if you had ongoing issues to see a Chiropractor it is worth every sent to be able to sit on the floor and play with my girl:)
Claire |
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- 27/05/04 Did anyone find the doctors unhelpful? I had this terrible pain all around my abdomen from 16 weeks. the doctors told me they would not refer me and that it would clear up after the birth. at 26 weeks it was unbearable. I was later referred to a physio for help, but it was too late and when i came to be induced (because my baby was so big) no one listened to my concerns about the condition. I should have had a cesearean as during my labour my pelvis split!!!! morphine didnt touch the pain i was in and when i begged for a c section they said everyone was busy! Im still on pain killers. Not to mention the after care in hospital! no one understood and I felt so isolated.
Why is it that this condition is so easily dismissed? If I had a cesearean i would not be in such a bad state. Someone should make a panorama/channel 4 documentary type programme about it all!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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- 16/01/04 Oh my God! I had that and yes I was treated for a urine infection too. The pain started from about 15 weeks into the pregnancy, and at times I would be immobolised in agony. Later on in pregnancy they told me it was round ligament pain and to just live with it. I suppose it didn't help as when my son was born he was a whopping 10lb 5oz! Thank you so much for enlightning me. |
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