Check out some similar questions!

amichelle10 · Jan 10, 2011, 10:50 AM

I am 26 weeks this week, and this past month I have had horrible pain in my pelvic area. It is at times excruciating and I can barely get up off the couch, out of bed , turn in bed, or even get in and out of the car, let alone walk in the store. I know its normal to have pain due to stretching and preparing for birth but, I never had this with my first born 2 years ago. I was never near this much pain. All I want to do is sit at home all day and not get up. It hurts more when the baby moves lower. The doctor hasn't examined me but says it is normal to have this pain in pregnancy. But for some reason, I think I should be looked at just because of the severeness of the pain. Is this really normal to have pain this bad all the time?

DoulaLC · Jan 10, 2011, 02:57 PM

It sounds very much like SPD (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction). It is fairly common in pregnancy to varying degrees. Some women will have great difficulty with it in pregnancy, some women find it becomes a problem after baby is born. In basic terms, the joint at the front of your pelvis has more give during pregnancy due, in part, to the hormone relaxin. It does exactly as it sounds... relaxes. For some women this allows too much separation or movement at this joint and the result can be back pain, leg pain, pelvic pain, and hip pain. I'd talk to your doctor for suggestions on the likelihood of SPD.

A few things that can be helpful: when you move, especially getting in and out of the car or bed for example, try to keep your knees together and move your legs together. Avoid too much separation between your legs... take stairs slowly, stepping one foot down then bring the other to meet it before stepping down again.
Some women find wearing a pregnancy support belt works well. Some women also find visiting a physical therapist, chiropractor, or D.O. who is trained to treat SPD is helpful.

When you are in labor, use positions that allow you to keep your legs together. In second stage when you are pushing, for example, one great position to give birth in can be on your hands and knees instead of the more common semi-reclined with your legs held back.

amichelle10 · Jan 11, 2011, 06:08 AM

I have done so much reading on that, and I actually thought I could have it. I hate calling my doctors because they always make me feel stupid. They tell me, oh it's just a part of pregnancy, all the stretching etc, and they act like they don't want to take the time to check me out. But I will try today and see what they say. Also, does this mean I cannot have a vaginal birth? I am so afraid of having a c-section. I really would rather not. Thank you again for your advice! :)

DoulaLC · Jan 11, 2011, 02:29 PM

SPD does not prevent you from having a vaginal birth.

Things to consider would be the positions you use, especially during the pushing stage as mentioned, and making a decision about an epidural. If you decide to have one in the course of your labor, you will just want to be sure that again your legs are not held back too far. Some women, if they are not feeling much due to the epidural, will have their legs drawn quite far without really realizing it. An epidural, depending on how you are effected by it, may also prevent you from being able to utilize various positions that would be beneficial.

If you have the option of a waterbirth, you may find that would be a choice to consider as many women will find the warm water and buoyancy to be very helpful.

amichelle10 · Jan 14, 2011, 04:40 PM

So I went to the doctors yesterday, and I really pushed the severity of the pain. She said (without even looking at me), it is just because I am carrying low and I am all baby. It is just the ligaments and everything stretching. I tried and tried to bring it up to her about this SPD but she said no way it could be. My symptoms are still so dead on with this. So I am still in a lot of pain today and nothing I can really do about it. Now I am extra nervous about labor since no one will listen to me and just check me to ease my mind.

DoulaLC · Jan 14, 2011, 06:36 PM

Since you are only 26 weeks along, a possibility might be switching doctors, or seeing a midwife, who is knowledgeable about SPD. It might be something to consider if you are not feeling as though your concerns are being addressed appropriately.

While the pain of SPD is fairly common, it should not be considered a normal part of pregnancy that goes untreated.

Whether a change in care providers is of interest to you or possible, you can certainly try the various ways of trying to relieve some of the pain.

Let us know if there is anything we can help you with. I hope you are able to find some relief!