PGP / SPD My story:

It's been a while since I updated the blog, that is because we have now moved house as we had to and we have been waiting for our broadband to be reactivated. I have become depressed due to the disability I now have to 'put up with' and got myself a psychiatric assessment as I was also sick of health professionals not taking me seriously and acting like I could just walk when I really cannot. I have accidentally tried as I have been half asleep or in a world of my own, and my body immediately reminds me that I cannot and I will suffer for it :( The diagnosis? That I am quite optimistic despite the situation and my concerns are for my baby to make sure my baby has the best he can have, also that the problems I am facing are very real and not psychosomatic and that anyone who would have to adapt to such a severe disability despite the cause would feel the same. This has also been confirmed by social services and my health visitor was fantastic, a great shoulder to lean o...

" Background. Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) is an abnormal stretching of the pubic joint in pregnancy, which causes distress and pain during and after pregnancy. Measures of its incidence varies widely, and most research has focused on identifying causes. Among healthcare professionals, there is evidence of low levels of awareness of SPD and a lack of sympathy toward women with it. Aim. To explore women's experiences of SPD during pregnancy and up to six weeks postpartum, with particular reference to pain. Method. A qualitative, phenomenological approach was used in conducting semi-structured interviews in a large maternity hospital in the north-west of England. A total of 28 women were interviewed during pregnancy and six weeks postpartum (51 interviews). Findings. The dominant theme to emerge was the women's experiences of pain. Pain was described in compelling language, and some women overdosed themselves on analgesics. Pain was sometimes accompanied by sounds that ...