I have received poor care from my midwife. I suffered from SPD during my last pregnancy so I knew what it was, I rang my midwife and requested a referral, however when I told her I was delivering my baby at a different hospital (but within same trust) she became quite obtuse and could not have been more unhelpful, I was approx 24 weeks pregnant and she told me I would have to self refer to a local community hospital, would have to pay for my own pelvic brace and by the time I got an appointment I would be due to have the baby anyway! I was so upset with her I said it didn't matter and hung up- bear in mind this is the same midwife who I haven't seen since May and she hasn't contacted me at all!! I have moved all my care to the hospital so have been monitored and received the relevant care etc. The hospital have said that, as the baby has been 3/5 engaged since early september, they don't really want to lift her off my pelvis now and prevent her from descending. I am on 2 co-codamol 4x a day as paracetamol were not strong enough and the pain and pressure on my pubic bone is quite intense. Thank you very much for your time and advice it is very much appreciated

The two large bones that form the symphysis pubis joint at the front of the pelvis are joined together by ligaments. During pregnancy hormones soften and stretch these ligaments allowing the pelvis to open slightly so a baby can be born. However, when going up stairs, walking, even turning over in bed the joint can open causing pain. Sometimes these everyday activities become impossible. Even touching the pubic bone can be painful.

Seeing a specialist physiotherapist helps who may recommend a support belt to hold the joint together, compression with an elastic support bandage worn around the pelvis, or a TENS machine. Painkillers help to relieve pain, for example paracetamol is safe in pregnancy. Take the chance to have a break every now and then since rest can also benefit symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD).


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midwife was happy to check me over the other day, said burning sensation could be water infection- might be worth checking that out as it's easy treated and you can get back to normal asap. you said you commute to work so it's not happening when you drive but maybe you stiffen while sitting on bus/train for a time? doing back stretches gives a little comfort- hubby has one of those exercise balls- basically the same thing as a birthing ball- they have so many uses people use them to help encourage baby into good position for birth too- ask midwife if there are any stretches you could do. hope you have a good midwife- my local midwife is useless, so ill-informed and frequently rude and unhelpful so have moved all my care to midwives at hospital where baby will be born bit more of ajourney for regular appts but worth it to speak to someone i trust and doesn't get my blood pressure up!!

the burning sensation comes and goes with me too, noticed it happens when I am driving, so maybe position i'm sitting in, could be combination of that and that it hap pens mostly in evenings when i've been carrying weight of bump around all day, wasn't too bad on tues as i had no kids and got to sit for a while! bodies way of telling me to slow down, but with 3 young kids it is difficult, i hate feeling limited to what i can do in a day but my sister keeps saying 'you're not super woman would you ever sit down for 5 minutes', kids are shattered by end of a full week at school so don't take long to get to sleep in eve, i have been going soon after them and though stiff in am feel more rested. doing jobs during day bit at a time, like hoover and put laundry in then sit for a bit before making beds and starting lunch etc! I'm getting there!!

I totally agree, I really don't want to have a c-section, only as you say the last resort. I'm trying to do as much research as possible beforehand to help me during labour. It's gr8 to have some answers from someone with experience! good luck with baby no4!
I have also been getting a burning sensation down below since last night, comes and goes, not sure what to make of it, any idea?

p.s i had spd last time too and didn't have a c- section, when i saw the doc on thurs he said sometimes it's a good thing (i nearly hit him lol:)) but he said if your ligaments are still softening it may make for an easier birth! can't say it was the case last time as i was induced- can you believe after all that she was two weeks late and i had to have my waters broke! hope he is right this time- i can see his point though if your muscles are more relaxed it could be a bonus! don't know why you would have to have a section surely this is your body's way of preparing for a natural birth. do tell them though that you don't want a section- every one has the right to a natural birth and sections should only be offered where absolutely necessary! this is baby 4 for me and i don't intend to have one- obviously if i HAD to, but would be a bit disappointed!

you poor thing, I'm glad I started this conversation now. I think I'll start looking up for chiropractors that specialise as I don't want work to force me to start mat leave ealrier than planned (the mat pay is not so good) Like you say the pain is so bad in the mornings, I feel so stiff and last thing I wanna do is climb/ go down stairs at the station to go to work! I am 24 weeks and before I got this I had a healthy pain free pregnancy, it feels like this pregnancy is going on forever! Anyway thanks for you comments and I wish you the best of luck, hope everything goes well for you xx

I have spd and know how you feel hon! just last night rang out of hours doc as pain was bad enough to almost have me in tears! they told me to ring labour ward as the pain on left side of pubic bone was like a burning sensation and they wanted to check it out- knew it would be a waste of time going down as they would just say 'it's one of those things- not much we can do' blah blah! and since i have only just over a week to go they won't touch me! hoping that when i see consultant at clinic next week and they see i've been on phone with this much pain (i will already be a day over due then!) they might give me a date to go in or start a stretch and sweep- just DO SOMETHING! my spd started at 6.5 months- i have literally forgotten what it is to walk without pain and am so stiff in the mornings! wish i had known that some chiropractors specialise in this- i would have sorted it ages ago- if you have a while to go it is definitely something you should look into! I was offered a pelvic brace and physio but since she has been 3/5 engaged since sept the last thing they want to do is lift her off my pelvis and up- wonder if i put it on upside down it might push her down and out!lol:) good luck you have my every sympathy do whatever you need to make yourself more comfortable- the pain/ discomfort can get you down and spoil your enjoyment of your pregnancy so try and stay positive xx