Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction and How It Can Affect Your Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a special period in women’s lives, but some things can make it harder.

Have you ever experienced unexplained pain in your pelvic area during your pregnancy?

I have experienced this in the last of my four pregnancies and it made me very uncomfortable.

Have you ever heard of pubis symphysis dysfunction (SPD) or pelvic girdle pain? Have you experienced it during your pregnancy?

SPD is also known as pelvic girdle pain and many women face this painful condition during their pregnancies.

What are the symptoms of Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction?

It’s more than just pain in the pelvic area. It can manifest with a variety of symptoms, such as:

1️⃣ Pain in the pubic area and back pain

2️⃣ Increased pain while lifting legs — if you notice pain while walking the stairs or lifting legs while getting into the car that can be a sign of SPD.

3️⃣ Clicking sound near your pelvis — gas and fluids can build up causing clicking sounds when the pressure is released from some movements.

4️⃣ Pain that gets worse while rolling over — because of the misbalanced pelvic it is hard to achieve balance and this movement will be painful.

5️⃣ Pain while getting out of bed

6️⃣ Sciatica

7️⃣ Pain when standing or walking for a prolonged period of time

8️⃣ Pain while doing a certain movement

9️⃣ Pain increases in the evening after all day of activity

SPD is a separation of the pubic bone.

Your pelvis has two halves and there is naturally very little gap in between them.

But sometimes, during pregnancy, the two halves are starting to separate and that is what’s causing pain.

The separation is happening because of a hormone called relaxin that is naturally occurring in our bodies during pregnancy.

But sometimes, too much relaxin or too much too early can cause separation of pubic bone more than necessary.

How to help yourself if you have Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction?

☝️ Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) or pelvic girdle pain can be a very painful condition that not a lot of doctors give credit to. 👩‍⚕️ 👨‍⚕️

If you have SPD try this to help yourself and ease the symptoms during pregnancy.

➡️ Take things slowly and make sure to get enough rest during the day. Don’t force yourself through the pain.

➡️ Don’t lift heavy objects like shopping bags or your toddler

➡️ Don’t push heavyweights like a shopping cart

➡️ Don’t carry objects only in one hand

➡️ Don’t put weight only on one side and don’t stand on one leg — while dressing sit on the bed, don’t stand

➡️ Avoid prolonged standing and walking

➡️ Don’t cross your legs

➡️ Keep your legs together when entering the car or getting out of the bed. Try to roll out with your legs together. This way you are putting less pressure on your pubic bones.

➡️ Sleep on the side — the reason is the same, you want to take the pressure out of the bones, keep a pillow in between your knees and ankles so you keep legs in even position.

➡️ Use pillows to support you back while sitting. Use them for sleeping too.

➡️Wear comfortable flat shoes. Don’t walk in heels or uncomfortable shoes.

➡️ Practice proper posture — this is very important as with right posture the pressure is lower in your pubic bones and you are using the right muscles for movement.

➡️ Wear a pregnancy belt. Wear it during the day and take it off for sleeping. This can ease the pain as the belt is keeping your bones together.

➡️ Avoid squatting — deep squats can make SPD worse as they put too much pressure on your bones.

➡️ Take additional magnesium — magnesium deficiency is common in pregnancy and magnesium is important in relaxing muscles and easing pains.

➡️ Strengthen your pelvic floor muscles — do exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and back muscles. Strong pelvic and back muscles are important for stabilising your pelvic bones.

If you are worried and it seems nothing is helping talk to your doctor or midwife. Ask for the physical therapist as this can often help when nothing else does.

👉🏻 Read more here: Your Guide to Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction and How It Can Affect Your Pregnancy