Despatches from a mother who started late (and is running to catch up)

Help for pelvic pain in pregnancy

Like many pregnant women, I suffered from pelvic joint pain when expecting both my children, and got depressed being stuck at home all day, in considerable pain, reliant on other people for help with childcare and housework, even a trip to the loo a major expedition.  I couldn't turn over in bed, get up from a chair or kneel down to change a nappy without suffering acute pain. What kept me going was the knowledge (or, at times, faltering hope) that the suffering was finite and I'd be rewarded with a baby daughter at the end of my ordeal. In even more extreme cases than mine, pregnant women have to resort crutches or a wheelchair. And, in rarer cases still, the pain doesn't lift following delivery (although, thank goodness, mine did), leaving women with limited mobility for the rest of their lives.

But there is good news for anyone suffering this problem, (and for anyone who might be considering another pregnancy, but is frightened of doing so after previous pelvic pain). A group of women, most of whom suffered pelvic pain (also known as Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction or SPD) themselves, have set up The Pelvic Partnership. It's a charity that aims to support women and their families, and also let people know the condition is actually treatable - not something that's widely known.

"There can be concern among health care professionals about treating women who are pregnant," says the charity. "As a result, women can be left in pain or immobile. In fact, there is a lot that can be done throughout pregnancy by physiotherapists and others who are trained and experienced in treating the condition. Early intervention can improve the long-term outcome and reduce pain."

The charity has a list of osteopaths, physiotherapists and chiropractors around the UK recommended by its members for treating pelvic pain in pregnancy. It also offers tips and advice on how to manage the condition on a daily basis, such as suggesting women apply for a blue (disabled) parking badge to make parking easier (never my strong point), take analgesia in time to make it work before bed, and avoid certain positions such as lying in bed with their legs straight (which can be hard on vulnerable parts of the pelvis). It has advice on what support's available through different routes (such as occupational therapists, health visitors, benefits agencies, au pairs). It talks, too, about how pelvic pain can affect family dynamics, sex and intimacy.

More than anything, it can be a comfort to know you're not alone in struggling through these painful experiences, especially since pelvic pregnancy pain can isolate women, keeping us stuck on our own at home all day. "Remember that you are not the only person who has SPD - it can help to meet and talk to other women with SPD who are experiencing similar problems. You will find they feel the same," says the charity.

So pay the Pelvic Partnership a visit. Or drop them a line at enquiries@pelvicpartnership.org.uk

Posted 21 November 2008 13:45

Mother Pregnancy Domestic chaos Health Pelvic girdle pain/SPD

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