I sincerely apologize to any first time expecting mommies (or those readers who have not yet entered the world of baby growing) for my constant complaining about my hip and pelvis pain and hope I haven’t scared anyone too much, thinking this is what pregnancy is like (and I hope this one doesn’t scare anyone either!). While I knew what I’ve been experiencing is not normal (I didn’t have it the past two times), I was trying to convince myself it was something I was doing. It turns out I most likely have a condition called Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (abbreviated SPD).
When my pubic bone started popping at night and my midwife was unfamiliar with the problem, I took to Google. While not commonly diagnosed in the states, my Google search extravaganza led me to some great UK sites with information that made me realize my dancing and activity is not to blame, it’s an internal body malfunction. At the most basic level, SPD is an overabundance of relaxin (the hormone secreted to soften the pelvic ligaments and prepare for extra movement and stretchiness during birth) which causes mild to severe pain in the hips, pelvis and pubic region and sometimes back, butt and thigh pain. While estimated to affect one in four pregnant women, the lack of knowledge about it in the US makes it hard to really know (turns out though that I have at least 2 friends who had similar pain, one of which actually ended up on crutches from debilitating pain).
For me, the pain and discomfort has been slowly building. It started back when I reentered the dance studio (see Baby Bump in the Ballet Studio). While I did not experience much discomfort while dancing, often upon returning home I would have terrible pain which made me unable to lift my legs to put pants on, etc. I never thought much about it and assumed it had to do with the dancing (see It’s All in the Hips). It turns out this is the basic pain of SPD, it is extremely uncomfortable to separate your knees (both apart to the side and lifting one higher than the other). I am now unable to roll over in bed without pain. Keeping my knees together and sitting up before turning over helps but does not in any way eliminate the pain.
The worst for me is first thing in the morning (or midnight potty breaks) when I’ve been generally still for hours. Getting out of bed is difficult and walking to the bathroom is extremely painful as my entire pelvis and back feel immobile and I waddle half leaned forward like a little old lady. Usually sitting on the toilet somehow helps loosen things up and I’m usually okay from then on (not completely pain free but at least mobile).
I hit rock bottom a few mornings ago when I woke up and could not get out of bed. Hubby was away on business and I got myself partially to sitting and then could not move my legs. I had to lay back down, roll on to my tummy (imagine that one at 8+ months pregnant) and push myself to the edge of the bed where I could get my feet down on the floor and then hobble to the girls’ room to let them out (we keep a baby gate on their door since they are near the pool door which they both know how to open).
Each night the pain and morning mobility has gotten worse. Yesterday morning I waited to get out of bed until hubby was able to help walk me to the toilet. My midnight stroll to the potty turned into my groping down the walls to get there (and sheer panic when I saw hubby had politely put the lid down and I could barely bend down far enough to open it). And early this morning while attempting to roll over, I was able to get to partially sitting but then had to physically hold my legs together with my hand while I turned over.
None of this has helped my hatred of sleeping (though I’ve actually been sleeping well while I’m in bed) and all I can do is focus on when this sweet little bundle will be here and the hope that my debilitating pain will disappear once s/he is out.
Hi, can you tell me please if you still keep up with ballet after discovering that you have SPD? I am currently 6 months pregnant and still taking classes and experiencing the same symptoms in the initial stage. I am wondering if I should continue with my classes. My Obgyn assures me that this is normal during pregnancy. My ballet teacher, an ex-professional dancer, says she did not experience it during her pregnancy.
Emmy, I did continue dancing through my pregnancy and up until the week I gave birth. I was forced to be extremely cautious and certainly did not do everything but I still enjoyed classes. This was my only pregnancy (third out of four) in which I had trouble with SPD and I only know a handful of other women so suffered from it so would certainly not consider it “normal” but I would also say that anyone who has not experienced it will generally not comprehend it, even a doctor. There are many “pains” and discomforts that occur during pregnancy but SPD is a completely different monster.
I believe my SPD trouble in my 3rd pregnancy was due to a number of factors including the size and positioning of my baby (I also had placenta previa which could have also added extra weight and pressure down low) as well as my trying to take full advantage of the glorious loose ligaments of pregnancy. Throughout my fourth pregnancy, I was extremely careful to not overstretch my hips and I didn’t not have the same problems.
Thanks very much, Melissa. I really appreciate your article and your reply, I feel much more comforted now! Was feeling bummed earlier when I thought SPD would prevent me from doing classes. I’ll keep in mind not to overstretch the hips.