Pubic Symphasis Diastasis

Hi C., There are definitely certain positions that need to be avoided while you are pushing in order not to make this a bigger problem than it is already. Some Physical Therapist, including my office (Core Dynamics Physical Therapy) can help you with this problem. There are support belts that are appropriate and exercises to help strengthen the surrounding areas. You can try to start this now, but if you deliver early and continue to have this pain after pregnancy, we can help you then too!

All I can say is go to the chiropractor!! I had the same problem but with #2 I suffered the entire pregnancy and delivery was much worse!! What the chiropractor will do is have you bend your legs and squeeze your legs together while he pulls your legs apart. I wish I had gone during my pregnancy instead of waiting until after. But I did get immediate relief. Good luck

Please make sure you go see your doctor about this...

Before you decide this is what is wrong, I think you
need to speak to your doc. The internet can be a
dangerous place when you start researching medical
issues. Good luck.

First thing I would suggest is talk to your doctor about it and be sure this is the problem. Don't try to self diagnose, because if that is not the case it could harm you or your baby.
Your doctor will tell you what is best to do if that is indeed the problem.

Good luck and congratulations!

this could just be round ligament pain, which is completely normal. If the pubic bone had separated, it would not start to happen at 10 weeks- it would happen much later in the pregnancy. Cramping and pubic pain is normal- your uterus is stretching, your stomach muscles, your hips, your ligaments are all stretching to accommodate the baby. Also around 36 weeks or so, the baby will drop, and place more pressure on the base of your uterus, so you will feel these sharp twinges as the head bumps into the pubic bone. All of this is normal. I would not self-diagnose. Talk to your doctor about your concerns. I'm sure there is a way to tell the difference between normal aches and pains of pregnancy and a real problem.

HI C.!

Congrats on being on the homestretch of your pregnancy! I know how painful that can be as I had it with both of my pregnancies and am having it now (14 weeks pregnant). I am not sure about the pain during delivery as I had c-sections, but I hope you have an epidural planned! If so, you should't feel much! Good luck, and remember, you will forget all about the pain after you see your beautiful daughter's face...this is why we do it over and over again!

Hi C. ~

Definitely talk with your doctor about this. I had pubic symphasis separation after delivery and it was pretty bad. I couldn't walk without assistance for several months and was still having pain and some limitations 6 months postpartum. I'm fine now, 14 months later, except I lost a lot of muscle and haven't rebuilt yet (pretty much my own fault - I hate working out :) ). I had never heard of this until I told my doctor I couldn't walk after the baby was born.

I don't tell you this to scare you, but definitely talk with your doctor about what the chances are of delivery causing the separation to be worse. I don't recall having particular groin pain while I was pregnant beyond the normal "I'm carrying a big ol' baby" discomfort. And I had a rough delivery in that my daughter came out shoulder first, sunny side up. The condition is pretty unusual according to my OBGYN. Anyway, talk to your doctor!

Congratulations and good luck with everything!

K.

I wonder if I had this. I had terrible pain in my groin throughout my pregnancy, which got much worse the final few months. (Walking and sleeping were nightmares!) My midwife told me it was extreme round ligament pain, but now I'm wondering...

I'll tell you the truth- my labor pains were almost entirely focused in my groin area. It was shocking to me, because I expected stomach and/or back pain. But I'd say 90% of the pain was groin. My son was also reversed (sunny side up), but I did not have back labor. Just "groin" labor!

The good news- happy, healthy, perfect son! And I doubt it was MORE painful than anyone else's labor. But I wish I had known that I'd have pain there!

Good luck with your baby girl. Labor will hurt no matter what, so I wouldn't stress about this too much. :) It's rough, but so temporary! And a little girl- lucky you!

PS On a positive note- delivering my baby ended most of my pain! And the twinges I got became less and less frequent, until they were gone completely after a couple of months. Delivery was definitely the cure!

I had a girlfriend who had a similar issue. She went to a kinesiologist and he did an adjustment... and she said she literally felt it pop into place.

Give one a call in your area and explain what your issue is
and of course research that particular Dr. and see if there could be relief for you.

If I remember right. She had to lay on her back with her knees bent and feet flat on the ground, then she had to either pull her knees together while he pushed them apart or the opposite, which would be her pushing them apart while he pushed them together.

I agree with everyone, consult your own DR first.
Good luck
D

I had that! It was my own fault I tried to push something on the floor with my foot.. Silly me, but I was too big and lazy to bend over and move it!
Anyhow, Tylenol helped, only moving my legs parallel-ly, sleeping with a pillow between my knees, walking slowly.. The birth of my baby was the only thing that cured me!
As far as labor, with my first one it was all back labor and that was awful, so with this one it did not seem so bad. I suppose it will depend on whether or not you opt for pain meds too. Good luck!

Chiropractic can be great for pregnant patients. It is safe and natural. There's no reason you need to be uncomfortable.