Pregnancy - Third Trimester

cutie_wutie · Jan 7th, 2008, 10:09 AM

Hello Ladies..... Just wanted to know i'm expecting my 4th child and this is the first time i have had braxtion hicks..... Also my baby head is 2/5 engaged well she was last wednesday and past few days im having such pain in my pelvis it hurts to walk and i pee that many times every 5mins xxxxxx I'm 35 weeks n 4 days is this normal i never had this with previous labours.. Im a big worrier lol

Tam · Jan 7th, 2008, 12:00 PM

That could be the baby's head/general weight pushing down.

Do you have any other pain and does it hurt to do anything else? x

cutie_wutie · Jan 7th, 2008, 12:06 PM

My back kills had it on and off now for past few days. pain in back dull constant but rippling pains move to my front then pains going down my pelvic area now they hurt xxxxxxx Driving me insane

cutie_wutie · Jan 7th, 2008, 12:07 PM

Feels like shes about drop out uncomfy to walk

Tam · Jan 7th, 2008, 12:08 PM

Sounds like you may have SPD.......I had this and the only thing that helps is rest! Does going up the stairs hurt or standing on one leg? x

cutie_wutie · Jan 7th, 2008, 12:11 PM

Whats SPD???? Never heard of it xxxxxxxxx Hurts to go upstairs, walking even getting up out of bed

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tam

Sounds like you may have SPD.......I had this and the only thing that helps is rest! Does going up the stairs hurt or standing on one leg? x

Tam · Jan 7th, 2008, 12:14 PM

What is Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)?

The two halves of your pelvis are connected at the front by a stiff joint called the symphysis pubis. This joint is strengthened by a dense network of ligaments which means that under normal conditions, very little movement occurs. In order to make your baby's passage through your pelvis as easy as possible, your body produces a hormone called relaxin, which softens the ligaments in your pelvis. As a result, these joints move more during and just after pregnancy.

We are not sure exactly what causes SPD but current thinking indicates that if one side of the pelvis moves more than the other when you walk or move your legs, this can lead to pain and inflammation at the symphysis pubis. X-rays and scans may not diagnose the problem as this rotation does not show up on most scans. Many women with SPD experience significant pain without any great separation of the joint -- the amount of pain isn't related to the degree of separation.

A related condition is diastasis symphysis pubis (DSP) in which the pubic joint loosens and leaves an abnormally wide gap between the two pelvic bones. The average gap between the bones in a non-pregnant woman is 4-5mm and during pregnancy it's normal for this gap to widen by 2-3mm. If the gap is 10mm or more, DSP is diagnosed. This is a rare condition and can only be diagnosed by X-Ray.
When does it happen?

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SPD can occur towards the end of the first trimester or after delivery. Many women notice their symptoms for the first time around the middle of their pregnancy. If you experience SPD in one pregnancy, it is more likely that it will reoccur in your next pregnancy. The symptoms may also come on earlier and progress faster, so it is important to seek help as early as possible. It can help if you allow the symptoms from one pregnancy to settle before trying to conceive another child.

What are the symptoms?

Pain in the pubic area and groin are the most common symptoms. You may also suffer from back pain in pregnancy, Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) or hip pain. It is common to feel a grinding or clicking in your pubic area and the pain may travel down the inside of the thighs or between your legs. The pain is usually made worse by separating your legs, walking, going up or down stairs or moving around in bed. It is often much worse at night and can stop you getting much sleep. Getting up to go to the toilet in the middle of the night can be especially painful.
How is it diagnosed?

SPD is becoming more widely understood by GPs, obstetricians and midwives. Your doctor or midwife should refer you to a physiotherapist from the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Women's Health, who will have experience in treating this complaint. It is diagnosed by a combination of your own description of symptoms and a series of tests designed to look at the stability, movement and pain in your pelvic joints.
How is it treated?

A pelvic support belt can often give quick relief. Exercises -- especially for the tummy and pelvic floor muscles -- form a large part of the treatment and are aimed at improving the stability of your pelvis and back. You may need mobilisation (a gentler form of manipulation) of your hip, back or pelvis to correct any underlying movement dysfunction. Hydrotherapy (exercise in water) and acupuncture can sometimes be useful. Surgery is only used to treat the most severe DSP cases and is often unsuccessful.

You should also be given advice on how to make normal daily activities less painful and on how to make the birth easier. Your physiotherapist or midwife can help you to devise a birth plan which takes your SPD symptoms into account.

Other therapies that may be useful include osteopathy and chiropractic but it is essential that you see a registered practitioner who is experienced in treating pregnant women.

cutie_wutie · Jan 7th, 2008, 12:17 PM

Thank you for that wow thats something new on me never heard of it a wow its sounds exactly how i am feeling i go hospital on wed for pre assessment for c section so ill mention it xxx thank you very much

Tam · Jan 7th, 2008, 12:17 PM

I got this from 11 weeks and it took a further 12-13 weeks to get it diagnosed, by that time I could barely walk and had a support belt & crutches! There are some exercises you can do to strengthen the pelvis (one being the pelvic floor), but a physio will sort all that out with you after doing some things to determine if it is SPD. x

cutie_wutie · Jan 7th, 2008, 12:19 PM

i will have to see what hoppy say!!!!!!!!!! not like i can jump in bath as even that dont help

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