Pelvic Pain in Pregnancy

Pelvic pain during pregnancy is something that is often misunderstood by the medical community at large. The degree of pain is something that is often not addressed at all.
I became aware of the severity of pelvic pain when my wife was pregnant with our second child.

During the 2nd month of my wife’s pregnancy she began to complain about pain in her hips and pelvis when she rolled over in bed at night. She said it felt as if her bones were grinding together. I was a young, inexperienced student at that time and I told her I didn’t know how to help her.

She went to her OB multiple times over the next 3 months as the pain became debilitating. She walked as if she were an old woman, and used a wheelchair for situations that required a lot of movement. Her OB could only recommend Tylenol and told her she might want to try massage. Other than those suggestions she would just have to wait it out.

Now, my wife is not one to sit around and wait for anything, so she began her own research. She found a small blurb about something called  Symphysis Pubic Disorder or SPD in a medical journal online; she then was able to find a support group for SPD in Great Britain. She emailed them and found out that this disorder is something that is just recently gaining attention in Great Britain and they sent her some literature. She was relieved when one of the first treatments mentioned was chiropractic care. (Did I mention I was a student and was somewhat MIA?)

My wife began chiropractic care and within a week was making great progress. Her pain levels went from a 10 to a 3 and she was able to tolerate the remainder of her pregnancy without too much discomfort. She moved like a different woman in a matter of weeks.

So now, thanks to my wife, I look like the hero when I tell pregnant women I know what is wrong with them and how to help them. She is the real hero.

Check back next week for details about SPD and its treatment, or email me directly at drrichards@abetterbrain.com.