October 14, 2003

The epidemic of pelvic pain

Leicester workshop today. This group includes a physiotherapist, who is involved in prenatal education at the hospital. She also sees women who have problems specific to pregnancy. Her presence enabled some important issues to be raised.

She appealed to the midwives in the group to stop referring women to her for pubic syphasis pain (diastasis) - she was being inundated with women complaining of painful pelvic instability and wanting treatment. I suggested that this is a very “modern” phenomenon that may be linked to the sedentary lifestyles many women now lead. This physio agreed and said she regularly suggests exercise, better posture and other appropriate bodywork to enable women to get into better shape, in order to strengthen and tone flabby muscles.

Perhaps something else is behind the increase in reports of this problem. Many women just want someone to listen to them and take and interest in their well being, and to have an excuse to do a little less in their busy lives. Developing a problem with pelvic pain might provide an opportunity to get attention and some time off. I have noticed that this condition is receiving quite a lot of press and there have been discussions in the midwifery journals about the prevalence of the condition.

The phsyio in our group felt that women just didn’t realise that aches and pains were a normal part of pregnancy as a woman’s body adjusts to the changes in posture and increasing looseness of the joints. Their attitude (perhaps supported by the comments from caregivers) is adding to the perception that pregnancy is an illness that should receive treatment.

Let’s not get the adaptations of a woman’s pregnant body out of perspective. Some women (and I mean a few) will have genuine problems with their pelvic joints that will require specialised care. The flexibility and instability is, however, the result of normal hormonal changes designed to make birth easier for mother and baby. Some inconvenience in pregnancy may well mean a faster, simpler birth. Perhaps this is the approach we should emphasise when we are talking to women about their concerns?

Posted by andrea at October 14, 2003 04:56 AM

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Dear Andrea,

After a year of visiting and enjoying your active birth workshop in Hull I have looked up the webside with your diary. Very intresting to see myself mentioned as one of the two Dutch students.
Since than and specially after our son Jasper is born I feld the need to write you. Felt empowered myself by you and the workshop and therefore I felt great to start my labour. 15-01-03 9.00 in the morning I had a SRM, and after being very mobile the whole day I had Jasper at home, not in the pool where I stayed in for 2 hours, but on Marcs lap at 21.45, no tears, nothing. Felt very proud.
Jasper is a very happy little soul.

Coursewhise I am not so lucky. The university did not allow me to continue the course parttime after maternityleave and now I am home. Although I am enjoying my new role as a mother, a little bit disappointed too. I don't know if and so when I can continue in the future, I am expecting our second child and we might not be in the UK in two years time. Maybe I can do some work for the NCT or something else which keeps me in touch with midwifery. Hopefully I will find something. Meanwhile: thanks for the encouragement you gave in the workshop and in your books to give birth just the way I liked !

Love Marjan Janssens

Posted by: Marjan Janssens on October 17, 2003 04:01 AM

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Posted by: blackjack on January 19, 2004 10:22 AM

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I am 34 weeks pregnant with pelvic syphasis. Although I can't comment on the statement that pregnant women may 'imagine' pain etc to get out of work/commitments, I can say that pelvic syphasis (in my case) has nothing to do with inactivity. I am a triathlete and before I became preganant was excericising everyday, with 4 days per week at twice a day. My mother also had pelvis syphasis when she was pregnant, although it wasn't diagnosed or treated, she did however have drug free births with no stitches. So, as mentioned in the article it is obviously a benefit having all that relaxin for the birth, just not so comfortable during pregnancy.

Posted by: Jen Schirmer on March 29, 2004 04:16 PM

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I had my second child last week and was induced because I could not walk due to pelvic syphasis. This has nothing to do with me being inactive for I am a fitness freak and our family's life revolves around sport.I can tell you that I have not imagined the pain and am in a great deal of pain at the moment having had the baby. My doctor and physio have told me not to vacum the carpet let alone go back to sport for 6-8 weeks. As you can imagine this is hard for someone like me who is dying to get out and active again.
Thankyou

Posted by: Nicki on November 27, 2004 08:08 PM