Baby & Pregnancy : SPD Symptoms & Treatment

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SPD - Symptoms

Pain and tenderness in the area of the symphysis pubis joint can often be accompanied by pain in the hips, lower abdomen and groin. Sometimes the pain can also manifest itself in the inner thighs and in one or both buttocks. Walking and other activities exacerbate the pain. Standing on one leg can be virtually impossible, so activities that rely on this to some degree will increase the pain. Climbing stairs, getting dressed and getting in and out of cars or the bath all involve the use of one leg at a time. Women can also experience pain while trying to move in bed, lifting things, sitting down and getting up. They may also have pain if they try to spread their legs past a certain point. Sometimes there can be a clicking during hip movement felt or even heard. A tendency to shuffle along or waddle may develop as women try to distribute their weight evenly.

Onset Of SPD

SPD can occur from the 12th week of pregnancy onwards, however it can also be a purely postnatal condition. Some women may suffer from it during and after pregnancy, with every pregnancy or sometimes just the first. The effects of the condition can linger on in some cases, but usually with lessened intensity. It is always wisest to leave a gap of two years, where possible, between pregnancies.

Treatment Of SPD

Always consult a doctor if in need of any medication to aid with the pain associated with SPD or any other ailment while pregnant. General practitioners and other health care professionals will know which painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs are suitable for your particular stage of pregnancy. If SPD has started after the birth, or continued from pregnancy you should still see a doctor if you are breastfeeding and in need of medication. Whilst there is no way to actually tighten the affected ligaments when pregnant, the relaxin hormone ceases to be produced after the birth. This should lead to the return of a less erratic pelvic state in the majority of cases.

There are other treatment methods available as well as painkilling drugs. Such treatments include TENS (Transcutaneous Electronic Nerve Stimulation) and pelvic supports. These may be among the types of treatments suggested if you are referred to a physiotherapist.
There are also steps you can take yourself to help with getting around and avoiding painful situations. Such measures include;
• Getting into a car by sitting on the seat first, and then lifting your legs inside. Reverse this procedure for getting out.
• Getting dressed while sitting on a chair rather than standing.
• Always having the knees together firmly when turning over in bed.
• Rest as much as possible. Take the body’s weight off the pelvis when you can. Try to have some daily bed rest.
• Where possible, sit down to do daily tasks like food preparation.
• Avoid lifting.
• Avoid the breaststroke if you go swimming.
• Try to avoid twisting the upper body. Think ahead, turn and face the thing you are doing.
• Avoid straddling positions e.g. sit on a bidet as you would on a toilet.
• Be aware of your body and the way it responds to certain activities. Try to avoid the activities that result in pain. These may be anything from walking long distances to hovering or pushing supermarket trolleys. Avoid sudden jerky movements.
• For those whose pain when climbing stairs is too excruciating to bear, it may well be advisable to go up and down stairs using your bottom, and lifting yourself up or down each stair with your hands. This is fairly easy on the downward journey, but quite difficult going up. Bearing this in mind, it would be best to make sure that you only needed to make one trip up and down the stairs each day, and plan for rest periods (and possibly assistance if this can be safely achieved) on the upward trip.
• Pelvic floor exercises may help in relieving pelvic pain. These exercises (also called Kegel exercises) are designed to help strengthen the hammock-like muscles which support the pelvic organs. Better control over these muscles could help take some of the weight bearing responsibility away from the pelvic girdle and ligaments. Consult a health care professional about pelvic floor exercises with regard to your particular circumstances.