MORE info on SPD: AND LINKS:
She posted:
Here's a reference in a medical journal:
Owens K, Pearson A, Mason G. Symphysis pubis dysfunction: a cause of significant obstetric morbidity.
European Journal of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Biology2002;105:143–6.
Objectives: To investigate the prevalence and severity of symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) in pregnancy and the postnatal period. Design: A postnatal questionnaire was sent to 248 women who had been referred to the Obstetric Physiotherapy Department in 1997 and 1998 with symptoms of pubic pain either during pregnancy or soon after delivery. Setting: A north of England teaching hospital, The Clarendon Wing, Leeds General Infirmary. Participants: Questionnaires were sent to 248 women. One hundred and forty-one were returned (response rate 57%). Results: The condition is associated with much unrecognised obstetric morbidity. The prevalence in our unit over the 2-year study period was 1/36 women. Many medical and midwifery staff have little knowledge of SPD. Patients often felt ignored when they complained of pain. One out of four of the respondents were still symptomatic 6 months later.Conclusion: Further research is needed to identify the best practice in the antenatal care provided, including the provision of support belts, the most appropriate mode of delivery and postnatal treatment.
If you PM me your email address I can send you a pdf of the full article.
Secondly, clinical recommendations from the royal college of midwives:
Fry D, Hay-Smith J, Hough J, McIntosh J, Polden M, Shepherd J,
et al. National clinic guideline for the care of women with symphysis pubis dysfunction. Midwives 1997;110:172–3 - it's not possible for me to get a copy of this, but the fact it was published means there must be some guidelines for midwives.
She also posted:
http://www.nice.org.uk/nicemedia/pdf/CG62FullGuidelineCorrectedJune2008.pdf and http://onlinetog.org/cgi/reprint/8/3/153.pdf
Deborah Fry MCSP, Jean Hay-Smith, Jennifer Hough MCSP, Jeanne McIntosh MCSP, Margaret Polden MCSP, Jancis Shepherd RGN RM MTD and Yvonne Watkins MSc MCSP MMACP
NICE antenatal care guidelines page 113:
"Symphysis pubis dysfunction has been described as a collection of signs and symptoms of discomfort and pain in the pelvic area, including pelvic pain radiating to the upper thighs and perineum.
Complaints vary from mild discomfort to severe and debilitating pain that can impede mobility. The reported incidence of symphysis pubis during pregnancy varies in the literature from 0.03% to 3%. In Leeds, a hospital survey of women (
n = 248) in whom a diagnosis of symphysis pubis dysfunction had been made, estimated that 1/36 deliveries were associated with symphysis pubis dysfunction either during pregnancy or soon after delivery.219Among the respondents (57% response rate), 9% reported that symptoms first occurred in the first trimester, 44% reported symptoms in the second trimester, 45% in the third trimester and 2% during labour or the postnatal period. [EL = 3]
There is little evidence in the literature on which to base clinical practice. No higher levels of evidence than case reports were located on effective therapies for symphysis pubis dysfunction, although the use of elbow crutches, pelvic support and prescribed pain relief have been suggested.
220 [EL = 4] It is important to remember that many medications for pain relief for bones and joints may not be appropriate for use in pregnancy.
More research on effective treatments for symphysis pubis dysfunction is needed."
UPDATE:
just spoken with a private physio today who was fantastic and he has said after childbirth i could be referred to him on nhs!!!! which is even better!
means i just need to get through the next few months and then atleast i will receive treatment to be able to walk again after baby is here!!! ♥
After describing my pains he doesnt think its in my head either!!!
....just goes to show...I may be able to walk sooner than they think and maybe i will have grounds to take action finally, and to protect other women from some nhs staff!!!!
