Pubic Symphysis

Question

I have been having sharp pain in my pubic bone whenever I move! It's worse when I'm trying to step into my pants while getting dressed and when I'm trying to get out of bed or off the couch. 

I discussed this with my Dr today and after him pressing on my pubic bone and me screaming he diagnosed me with Pubic Sympisitit or Symphysis 

Inflammation and separation of the pubic bone. Only cure is delivery and sometimes that can actually make the pain worse and take longer to heal postpartum. I'm kinda scared now for delivery before I wasn't so much. 

He said sometimes it can get so bad that I may need hospitalization. I'm scared that could happen too. 

Any of you ladies have any experience with this?

nola0805 · Accepted Answer

I also have pubic symphis dysfunction and have had it since about 11 weeks.  I know how uncomfortable it is.  I wanted to let you know that physical therapy really helps - I have been going for a while and it is much better.  There are physical therapists that specialize in pelvic pain and pregnancy.  The other thing that really, really helps is a pelvic support belt - I wear mine whenever I am walking and it has made a world of difference.  You can order them online. I can also tell you that you should do no exercise except walking and don't walk too much at one time - but try to walk a lot.  Also standing for long periods is not the best (I know that is hard with your jobs) so try to take frequent sitting breaks - if only for 30 seconds.  

I am terrified about delivery too as I really wanted to have a natural, vaginal birth, but keep in mind that many women with this condition have vaginal births - it just might be more uncomfortable because of the over-separation of the front pubic bone (I have an added problem because my pelvic bones are fused to my sacrum in the back - so my pelvis can only open in the front).  I will also warn you to avoid stirrups at all cost - that position really separates your pelvis.  My therapists say the best position for delivery is on all fours or kneeling - sounds a bit odd, but may be worth it to avoid delivery making this condition permanent.   

Feel free to ask me any questions.

Brittny27 · Answer

I'm 29wk 5d. I have a long ways to go with this pain I guess I will have to find a way to deal with it

ashleighnb · Answer

How far along are you? I am 33w4d and I have been noticing no matter what I do it doesn't stop, I am always in pain. And tylenol definitely doesn't help. I had to sleep on my back all night last night because that was the only position I wasn't hurting in. As the baby gets bigger the worse the pain will get from my experience with my last pregnancy and that is what seems to be happening with this one. I have no remedies, I just have to deal with it.

Brittny27 · Answer

The last two days it's started to hurt constantly instead of just when I would shift weight to one side or the other getting off couch stepping over things or putting on clothes. I've started to sit on bed to put my clothes on and sit on edge of bathtub and swing both legs over at once. It definitely has made a huge difference. 

I've been taking Tylenol the last two days and it's not even helping.

ashleighnb · Answer

I had an epidural, but I waited to get it until I couldn't take the pain anymore.

Brittny27 · Answer

How was delivery? Did you get an epidural? What I read last night said it wasn't advised and it listed certain positions that were better then others. 

I'm most freaked out about how the added pain is going to be during delivery. If it's already caused me to be in tears a few times because of the sharp pain.

ashleighnb · Answer

I have the same thing. I had it with my first pregnancy too. It takes me forever to get off the couch or even just roll over in the bed. I told my doc about it and he said there was nothing they could do. I know after I had my daughter the pain stopped fa few days later, it didn't take long for me to heal luckily.

Brittny27 · Answer

No not yet. Dr said it might get to that point and I might have to be hospitilized if the pain gets to severe. They recommend a water birth to ease the pain.  I don't think my insurance pays for that though I'm going to look into it though.

KarenDiane · Answer

Ouch! Did they put you on bedrest?

Brittny27 · Answer

I just looked it up on google this is what wikipedia says

During pregnancy in the human, hormones such as relaxin remodels this ligamentous capsule allowing the pelvic bones to be more flexible for delivery. 

Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD) is most commonly associated with pregnancy  and childbirth. It is a condition that causes excessive movement of the symphysis pubis, either anterior or lateral, as well as associated pain, possibly 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

KarenDiane · Answer

I've never heard of this. I'm sorry you're in so much pain. I get pain in my crotch but not like that. It's just the pelvic floor muscles aching. Did your Dr. say what causes it?

Pubic Symphysis

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