I’m currently 31 weeks pregnant and in my 3rd trimester of my 2nd pregnancy and struggling with everything! I’ve recently started to get pain in my lower back and my pubic bone. I really am struggling to walk, during my first pregnancy I was bright as a button and walked absolutely everywhere with no troubles. I didn’t get swollen feet, ankles or legs and this time I’ve got it all and more!!
Maybe it’s payback time who knows? I used to think it was sooo funny how ladies would waddle and struggle but I take it all back now as I can’t walk properly at all!
Because of the pain I’m experiencing I went to see my doctor who diagnosed me with Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD). It is most commonly associated with pregnancy and childbirth and is a condition that causes excessive movement of the symphysis pubis, because of a misalignment of the pelvis. SPD is a dysfunction that is associated with pelvic girdle pain and the names are often used interchangeably. It is thought to affect up to one in four pregnant women to varying degrees, with 7% of sufferers continuing to experience serious symptoms postpartum.
The main symptom is usually pain or discomfort in the pelvic region. This will probably be centred on the joint at the front of the pelvis (the pubis symphysis). Some sufferers report being able to hear the lower back and hip joints, the sacroiliac, clicking or popping in and out as they walk or change position. Sufferers frequently also experience pain in the lower back, hips, groin, lower abdomen, and legs. The severity of the pain can range from mild discomfort to extreme and prolonged suffering. Sufferers may walk with a characteristic waddling gait and have difficulty climbing stairs, problems with leg abduction and adduction, pain when carrying out weight bearing activities, difficulties carrying out everyday activities, and difficulties standing.
I am so glad I went to the doctors as I can finally stop thinking I’m a hypochondriac and realise that something wasn’t quite right!
Sarah
If any other readers of the My Baby Spain Baby Blog are experiencing the same symptoms or totally different ones leave us a comment or join in the chat on our Facebook page.
