DSP (Diastasis Symphysis Pubis) and SPD (Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction) are two causes of pelvic pain in pregnancy. We know from your experiences that living with these problems can be extremely stressful and debilitating.

This page is about sharing some of your experiences of coping with these conditions and providing links to further sources of information and support.

Your views and comments

I'm 24 years old and currently 32 weeks pregnant, this is my 3rd pregnancy. I spent most of last week stuck in hospital while the staff tried to push me through the waiting list for an MRI scan. The scan showed no abnormalities, and suddenly the staff looked at me like i was making the whole thing up.

I can say however that there is light at he end of the tunnel, straight away after my previous pregnancies the symptome went away to leave me nothing but a bit achy and maybe slower than i was before. I am hoping this time it will be the same, however if I can not bare the last few weeks I will be requesting proof that my pelvis is incredably unlikley to split via scans to measure the gap etc and if not satisfied will be requesting a c-section. The idea of a c-section scares me more than anything. But risking my pelvis splitting when i will have 3 children to care for and normality in reach - is a risk I cannot and do not think I should have to take.

Amy

I have suffered spd with all three of my pregnancies. I am currently 33 weeks pregnant with my third baby and I am in so much pain I can barely move my legs when sitting. I have been referred for physio four times and still heard nothing, the midwife has since told me to go private, but I cant afford the prices so I am left to suffer. I feel like im just being swept under the carpet. My two sons are three and eighteen months so it is impossible to rest during the day and I am unable to sleep night because of the pain, I cant roll over or move in bed, pilows and cushions dont help. My husband is in the army in germany so I am left to do everything by myself, I have a suportive family but they dont understand the amount of pain I am in. I just cant wait till t he end now and am just hoping I dont suffer too much postnatally. My experience in this pregnancy is a lot worse than the previous two, it has put me off having any more babies after this little one is born. To any other spd sufferers out there, I truly sympathise with you and know how you feel.

Kate

In my last pregnancy I had spd from about 12 weeks it progressed from a niggle to not being able to turn in bed without the help of my husband. I ended up on crutches and had my pregnancy induced at my midwifes request. I have to say the support I received from my doctor and midwife was excellent. I had my baby a month early it was very quick and I felt a huge relief after she was born. It was not until a few days later the symptoms came back and needed to follow a physio programme for some time.it has been 4 years and I still have pelvic problems from time to time and have just found out I am 6 weeks pregnant!! if it comes back I will be ready for it!! TO ANYONE READING THIS WHO HAS THE PAIN MENTIONED ON THIS WEB SITE. DON'T SUFFER IN SILENCE!! GET THE HELP YOU NEED AND SCREAM AND SHOUT IF YOU HAVE TO. ITS YOUR BODY, LOOK AFTER IT!

Rebecca

It was so reassuring to read other people's comments about SPD. I am 37 weeks pregnant (my second one) and suffering from SPD again, although much worse than my first time. At least this time around I have been referred to a consultant who will consider inducing me at 38 weeks. I feel slightly guitly even considering this but cannot take many more sleepless nights of constant pain and feel sure that having my symptoms pretty much ignored the first time around contributed to my PND. The worst thing about this condition is that so few people know about it and everyone expects you to be blooming and happy. I've hated pretty much every minute of this pregnancy and would never consider having another baby but I won't let it affect how I feel about her and it hasn't affected my relationship with my 3 year old. I've been paying privately for acupuncture to help alleviate the related sciatica pain I've been experiencing and would highly recommend it but am more than a little angry that this service is not available on the NHS when most pregnant mothers don't want to take conventional painkillers incase they harm the baby.

Julie

I am in my 27th week of pregnancy and have been suffering for the last 2 month with SPD. Because now adays you hardly see a midwife I waited until my 24 week appointment to mention the pain. She was great and told me the self help tips and made me promise to call if the pain didn't subside. Two weeks later I called her in agony. Two days after that I was fitted with my belt, which although not that comfy, does give slight relief. Moral...not all midwives will put your pain down to "a pregnancy thing"

Audrey

I am 26 weeks and experiencing pubic pain. It's been ongoing now since about 23 wks. My doctor says it's the pregnancy. I say its something else. I also get the pain into my labia. Is there anything I can do to help this?

Anon

I am at present forty weeks and two days pregnant.I have had S.P.D for the last four months.When i first felt pain in my pelvic region I put it down to 'being pregnant'and really thought it was part and parcel of bearing extra weight.At an antenatal check the midwife assured me it was due to hormonal change in my body.Well those hormones have made it almost impossible to walk without crutches.I finally got diagnosed with S.P.D two days ago after seeing a phsio who gave me crutches.I am very worried how I am going to manage with a newborn when my partner goes back to work as it is an effort to look after myself at the moment.

Victoria

I am now seven months pregnant, and for the last three months have been experiancing severe discomfort and pain in my hip joints. Thhis been my second child in the last 2 years, my midwife put it down to having two children so close together. Compared to my first pregnancy, this one is been nothing but complications. But despite the supposed network there to help pregnant mums, whenever you raise a concern, I've felt like I'm been an inconvieniance. Thats why I've joined some forums, and I'm also going to train to be a midwife, and hopeully use my experiances to help oyher mums to be that just want someone to take them seriously.

Claire

It's so interesting that there is relatively no knowledge about SPD in the States...trying to describe it to friends and family was awkward enough, but the worst part was that my own OB/GYN had to look it up in a book before he could diagnose what I was going through. I started having serious pain around week 24 of my first pregnancy; by week 27 I was unable to climb stairs, roll over in bed, or get into and out of a car. I spent the remainder of my pregnancy resting as much as possible and going to physical therapy three times per week. I found an incredibly helpful therapist who put me in a warm therapy pool for strengthening exercises. None of the exercises were stressful or caused a lot of strain; most were for strengthening the hip flexors, lower abs, and the support muscles around the pubic symphysis. My husband and I lamented quite a bit regarding the decision for me deliver vaginally or via cesarean section. We knew from the ultrasounds that we had a large baby; to me it was not worth the risk of doing further damage. Ella was born perfectly healthy through cesarean birth, and continues to be the light of our lives. I would love to tell say that the SPD symptoms have subsided, but unfortunately I am still feeling the effects and plan to go back to my therapist for some follow-up treatment. The pain is not nearly as acute as it was during the pregnancy, but it's enough to send me for the pain meds and prevent me from doing anything that involves the "triggering" motions that anyone with SPD knows all too well. Another interesting note; at this point, the pain is still on my left side, but it seems to be at the front in the symphysis pubis, and in back at the sacro-iliac joint. I am by no means an expert but have lived with this for nearly a full year now. I have had the support of friends, family and a wonderful husband, but the thing I have always longed for is to know someone else who is going through this. If anyone reading this has further questions or just wants to hear from someone who has also been through it, I welcome your emails. Best to all

Mandie

Hi my name is Lily and I am 26 weeks pregnant with my fourth baby. I have SPD really very bad and at the moment feel like I cant cope. From the moment I wake up I am in extremely bad pain and when I get in bed at night I am in very severe pain. I am not enjoying my pregnancy at all. I am using all the phsyical aids that I can, support belt, crutches and I am even having acupuncture (to no avail) I have never in my life felt such bad pain in my pelvic area and I am now wondering if I have Diastasis Symphysis Pubis. I guess after I have had this little one I will find out more.

Lily

I developed SPD in my second pregnancy. I had been experiencing very low back pain from about 12 weeks and gradullay started to get that kicked in the groin feeling. Luckily for me I had a friend who also had this condition when she was preganat and urged me to talk to the midwife and not suffer in silence. The midwife referred me straight away for physio which I am still receiving (4 months after the birth). I also become very depressed and was referred to the Mother & Infant Mental Health unit for fear of it turning into PND. They wanted to medicate me but I refused and I'm glad to say after the birth the depression lifted. I am usually a very active person and walk everywhere. It became very hard for me to walk the 10 minute journey to work or even take my son across the road to the park. I cannot tell you how hard it was for someone as independant as me to be housebound and have to ask for help. As the pregnancy progressed the pain got worse. Physio gave me a belt, crutches and some exrcises to help. Ladies exercise those pevlic floor muscles a million times a day!!! About 4 weeks before I gave birth I was told I could take painkillers. I was very worried about the effect on my baby so only took paracetamol when the pain got very very bad. Throughout my pregancy I was very worried about how I was going to get this baby out. I had a very long labour and lost a lot of blood the first time so I was also worried about that. I had researched and found out that a C-section would be the worst this I could have and a water birth or to give birth on my side would be best. Needless to say I went for the difficult option. My daughter was born 3 weeks early by emergance c-section following a placental abruption. The pain I experienced getting out of bed for the first time was immence. Unfortunately the staff thought I was making a fuss over my scar and only fully understood the amount of pain I was in when it took half an hour to move me to the chair next to my bed, screaming all the time. I am not the type of person who makes a fuss over nothing (only moaned through an 18 hour labour with forceps delivery). My husband was shocked at the level of pain I was in. Luckily they took it very seriously and gave me morphine for the pain (after I had a wash and got back into bed). I am sure the catheter made it worse and begged to have it removed but had to keep it in for well over 48 hours. The staff in hospital were brilliant and helped me with the baby whenever I asked without complaint. After about 3 days I was able to shuffle about with the aid of my crutches. I came home after 5 days and had help at home for the first 6 weeks. This was a god send. The hospital gave me pleanty of strong painkillers before I left and I was also visted by the physio whilst I was in hospital, given a different support belt and a follow up appointment. I soon began to feel a whole lot better but made my biggest mistake. I did too much too soon. Not only am I recovering from a major operation but from SPD too. Over 4 months later I still experience sever pain in my groin and my right hip (which I did not have before the birth). My advise to anyone who is experienceing groin, hip or back pain during pregnancy is to mention it to your midwife/doctor straight away and insist on physio. Do use the aids you are given and make sure you do the expercises. Get as much help as you can - don't be proud. And don't expect too much from yourself. It will take time to recover especially if you have to have a c-section.

Vikki

I had spd in my second pregnancy from the 16weeks thru to the end of the pregnancy and a year later.My case was severe. Then i was in a rear end car accident 18 months after i had the baby which was not my faullt. i sustained whiplash and back injury i had to go for an x-ray when it was discovered that as at the time of the accident i was pregnant. since the i have been in and out of hospital to manage my pain as a result of the accident. my spd return at 18 weeks. i am now 24 weeks i do not know how i will ever get through this without any permanent health problem. i am seeing a physio presently but it seems only to give temporary relieve. i hate going on admission for the pain because the nurses do not understand and it is frustating. i cannot do anything for my kids. my husband had to stay at home to take care of them. i don't know; where do i go from here. but i will not give up.

I had a perfect pregnancy and perfect labour, and then after spending over 2 hours in a horrendous position being stitched things changed, my life changed. I had the worst pains in my groin that i have ever experienced. I could feel the bones in my groin crunching and clicking as i walked. I could not even lift one leg off the floor to step into the shower cubicle to have a shower. That is probably one of the worst nights of my life. My husband had gone home and i had asked the midwives to look after my new baby girl for the night as it was taking me about 10 minutes just to get out of bed. The worst bit was in the middle of the night i had to go to the bathroom to change my snaitory towel. When i got there i was in too much pain to even lift my foot of the floor to pull my pants down, i was extremly embarrased when i had to ring for a midwife who took half an hour to come. When i told the midwifes of my pain they just said "they don't call it labour for nothing love". the next day she brought me a belt and told me to wear it, she told me i had split my pelvis, which horrified me. She then sent me home with the wrong dose of painkillers and no explanation at all.It was the doctor that came to my house a couple of days later that told me that i had symphysis pubis dysfunction., This was 3 years ago and i am still suffering even now. I would like another baby now but i am scared to death of it recurring again. I could not go through that pain ever again.

Gillian France

14 weeks along I started having slight pain I pushed it aside as nothing, I mean I had a 9lb 10oz baby a few yrs ago without drugs. Well at about 15 weeks I was at the grocery store and started to feel some pain when walking I had also had some pain the night before but I ignored it. Well, that night after shopping I could barely climb into the car but eh I can deal with it. I went to bed took tylenol and such. Half way through the night I rolled over and Felt this horrible pain like a ripping feeling and stabbing from my lower pelvic pelvic area and pain shot through my thigh! I screamed and tears were streaming from my eyes. Hubby turned on the side light seeing me cry was well he had seen me do it maybe 3 times in 7yrs. Well, it continued through the night the next day I felt the same a little pain after walking him to bus (short walk 2min) I started to feel pain halfway there! I couldt't walk to bus stop when he came home I couldn't get up! Well, that was it I called my midwives office all i was told was she is in delivery by the nurse! She would have her call me back about 3 hrs later she called and told me my midwife had another delivery and all it was round ligament pain and to lie down talk tylenol, warm bath etc.

I told her if I could give birth to my son without drugs and no crying but I am now it cannot be something so simple. She said oh round ligament pain can get that bad. I was almost in tears from getting up to answer the phone. Well, even yesterday all i got up for was bathroom breaks (hubby cooked all meals)! By the time I went to bed for the night It hurt enough to almost bring the tears on. The pain felt like well, the tear I went through with son only in different spot. I am afraid to call again and get "oh, its normal". This morning I woke up in alot of pain again. But not sure I can wait till next appointment My next is in 8 days.

katrina

I began feeling the pubic pain when I was in the 5th month of pregnancy. My doctor in Kaiser, Santa Teresa, didn't think there was anything wrong with it, even though I couldn't walk, sit, or sleep for the last 6 weeks. I was just told to rest and also told to exercise as much as possible which made my situation even more worst. For at least 5 times during my visit I was asking for an ultrasound to double check if the baby might be too big and I was rejected every time I asked. When I was in labor, the doctor and midwife had no knowledge of my pain and I was pushed to have virginal delivery of an 11 lbs and 5.6 oz baby. I couldn't move right after my baby was born. On the 2nd day they had an orthopedic doctor to look over me and order a pelvic binder for me. I had to take two different pain killers to stop the pain. On the 3rd day they got me a physical therapist to help me turn over on the bed. The 4th day they ask me to get off the bed which I was crying because of the pain, even if I did took the pain medicine before I tried, but they didn't care. They planned to send me to the nursing home without informing me first. I was home 5 days after delivery anyhow, in such a condition that I couldn't get off the bed, can't go to bathroom, and could barely turn over on my bed. The 1st month was most difficult, to go to bathroom by my own was the 1st goal I had for myself. The 2nd month was big improved; I finally can walk to bathroom with walker without help. The 3rd month I finally be able to go out with wheelchair. The 4th month, I tried shopping once a while where the store has shopping car I can lean on as a walker. Kaiser provided no care of my case. I have see 3 doctors at Kaiser and one told me he hasn't any case like me, refused to help, and referred me to see outside specialist. One couldn’t give anything but a speculative answer I tried to find out why I felt the bone "click." I spent 3 months with this doctor and every time she has at least one hour delay for each appointment, I finally gave up with her. I was also sent to Sacramento Kaiser to see their only pelvic specialist in whole USA and for that 15 minute of visiting I got a new suggestion: ok to do exeresie, it will help, which is very new to me because I was told to lay on side and rest as much as possible. I was 6.5 cm on my first X-ray I took at 2nd day after the delivery. 2.75 cm when it's 4 weeks after. 2.25 cm the 8th week after birth. 2.1 cm at 4 month later and still have 2 cm almost 5 month so far. I'm still suffering the pubic pain when I try to turn over on the bed and am still in pain every afternoon. My lower back pain’s become another serious problem now, especially the week before and after my period. I have to live in a condition of very minimal activity, can't reach my feet and put my socks on, can’t pick any thing I dropped up, can’t turn around and have to always keep my body straight, can’t run can’t sit on ground can’t sleep on my back without any pain, can’t ----- My second onpion was the Stanford hospital pelvic specialist, his suggestion is surgery which I have no any idea or information or anyone’s experience can help me to get ready for it. I feel so helpless and lost.

I stop pain killer 4 weeks after the birth and try to breastfeed my baby that time, I tried but it didn’t work. After give up the breastfeed I began to see the acupuncturist instead of taking heavy doses of pain killer and it did work very well for me. I’m visiting my acupuncturist twice a week now and only take Motrin 2 time for the past 3 months.

I was 41 ½ when this happened, am Chinese, and was 5.5 feet and 135 lbs before the pregnancy.

I suffered from pelvic pain the last three months of my pregnancy. However I did not bring it up to my doctor until about the last month (as it got worse). He didn't seem to think anything of it and categorized it is the typical aches and pains of pregnancy. I knew however that this was not the case as I had much pain getting up to walk and also in bed. Turning in bed was almost impossible. On my due date they told me they would wait another week to induce.

However, when the next week came they decided to wait yet another week. I was in tears on the way home from the doctor. I felt I couldn't wait one more week I was completely uncomfortable and in so much pain. I finally had the baby two weeks past my due date - induced. I had an epidural, but my delivery was still quite painful as I delivered a 9 pound 6 ounce baby.

After delivery I was relieved it was over and the baby was finally out. Since I had an epidural I didn't feel much initial postpartum pain - still being numb. However, once I got to my recovery room I had a lot of pain. The nurses at the hospital basically ignored my honest report of a 7-8 out of 10 pain scale. I am quite stoic so when I say my pain level is 8 out of 10 I mean it. They gave me standard pain medication - Tylenol. I kept telling the nurses that my pain was in my pelvis and that it was bone pain and not soft tissue. For some reason that never got through to them and they just acted as though I needed to toughen up and that the pain was from a slight tear I had.

I couldn't get out of bed, turn in bed or move my legs much on my own. So when my mum and husband weren't there I needed to call the nurses alot for help. They seemed annoyed by this. One nurse came in the room and shouted "What?!" I said I needed help to the bathroom and she snapped her fingers and said rudely "Let's go!!" She took my legs and quickly threw them over the side of the bed. This hurt enormously!!! I was so angry that I was subject to this kind of treatment. I remember that night (1st night after having baby) I just cried in bed because noone understood my pain and on top of that I was experiencing all the emotions that go with having a new baby. My baby cried several times through the night wanting to be fed. I did not want to call that nurse so it would take me between 5-10 minutes simply to get my legs moved to the side of the bed so I could eventually stand up to pick up the baby and feed him. Of course this whole time the baby is crying and that is the most frustrating thing - to hear your new baby crying and being in pain trying to get out of bed to help him.

Anyways, the next day I insisted on having an x-ray taken and the doctor said OK. They found that my pelvis was indeed separated but they didn't report these results to the nurses or to me until I was home. (4 days postpartum). The doctor said there wasn't much he could do about it and that I would just have to wait for it to heal. I was at least glad there was a reason/proof for all this pain. I had my mum help me at home since I had another child too. It's been three and a half months now and I still have pain when I sleep. I get around fine. I always was a very active person and a runner. I can not run yet, I have tried several times but it is too irritating. I just hope I will get back to normal within the next couple months. - Kelly

In 1992 was pregnant, during the last months of my pregnancy I suffered pelvic pain. After the birth of my baby, I fractured my pelvis and it caused me great pain to walk so I had to use a support frame to help me. I couldn't do much and I went into depression because I wanted to do so much; at this point I had children to look after. It affected me for a long time and still affects me now. I can't lift heavy things and generally affects my everyday life. Previously there was no one to talk to talk to about it. Hopefully now, although now 13 years later I can receive help; physically and emotionally. Currently I am going through physiotherapy, which I hope will help.

I have been experiencing extreme pain in my pubic bone region, more so on the left side. If I lean over to the left side just the slightest, I experience the worst sort of burning or tearing sensation in the left labia majora (outer vaginal lip). The pain is so extreme that it makes me gasp and feels like the wind has been knocked out of me. If I attempt to crawl on my knees, or sit down too abruptly, it is unbearable. I am pretty sure that this is SPD but have not seen a physio therapist yet. I told my Midwife about it and she seemed passive, as if it is common for pregnant women and prescribed a pregnancy belt just a few days ago. I have yet to get it and try it.I pray that it is not too serious and that I can deliver without complication. This is my third pregnancy and the first time I have ever experienced this burden. I find that if I trip over something and have to shift my weight hastilly, I feel as though I have been kicked in the crotch and I am dying. The pain persists for about 20-40 minutes after the initial stint. I have been having this pain in my left side since about 12 weeks and am now 30 weeks. It has only gotten much worse in the last 4 weeks."

I had SPD during all my pregnancies and with the last two I could barely walk during the last few months of pregnancy. I used crutches and a wheelchair when I needed to get out of the house and found the greatest help was from family and friends in caring for the older children and doing shopping and housework.

I suffered from Symphisis Pubis Dysfunction from about 5 months which I think was the most difficult thing. Just as everyone thinks you should be doing lots of yoga swimming and blooming all over the place I could barely get around the house and couldn't venture out without crutches and a full tubigrip. I was commuting to London at the time.

Physical aids helped me to carry on doing things but I never really overcame these difficulties during pregnancy - rather had to keep going in spite of them. SPD combined with a caesarean made for a long recovery. Six months after the birth it was only paying privately for osteopathy which got me moving properly again. Meanwhile everyone talks about how great it is being pregnant and I hated every minute of it. Interestingly this hasn't had any impact on my bonding with my baby though who delights me every single day."

In the last 3 months I suffered with very bad SPD. Unfortunately I received very little official help during my pregnancy and had to find a private obstetric physiotherapist. I did meet with a counsellor at request of my Hospital Consultant (she thought that I was at risk of PND) & it helped to talk & I did not get PND."

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