Aching pain in 'ladygarden' area! Is this normal?

[shoobaloo]

Am 29 weeks preg and this morning I have a very achy pain in my , ahem, ladygarden area! Feels like I've been kicked there, especially if I try to put on knickers, trousers etc when I have to lean on one leg and lift the other up. Is this normal?

[Littlefish]

Sounds like SPD to me (Symphis Pubis Disorder - or something like that!). Do a search on SPD and you'll find lots of messages from people who've suffered. Tell your midwife at your next appointment. In the meantime, try to avoid sitting crosslegged on the floor, keep you knees together when you get in and out of cars and put a pillow between your knees at night.

I'm sure someone else will be along soon with some better advice!

[fettleandminifettle]

Morning Shoobaloo

Sounds like it could be the start of symphis pubis dysfunction, when the joints in your pelvis relax too much due to the hormones released when you are pregnant.

Try and keep your legs together at all times, swivel ladylikely out of cars etc. Don't stand on one leg, sit down to get dressed. No breast-stroke legs if you are swimming. and keep your knees together when rolling over a night.

I would suggest trying to see a maternity physio as soon as possible. They can give you some exercises which may stop it getting any worse.

I've had it with both pregnancies - this time it started later, but got worse quicker, but although it can be very severe, this tends to be the extreme, so don't worry if you hear about people in wheelchairs and crutches. It should clear up after birth.

HTH

Take care.
xxx

[shoobaloo]

Ok - now I am officially scared! Think if I still feel like this tomorrow I'll make apt with midwife

[Littlefish]

Shoobaloo, please don't be scared! I had it mildly which meant that although it ached a lot, particularly if I walked too far, or slept awkwardly, it never went any further than that. It's a good idea to mention it to your midwife, although mine was fairly dismissive. I know there are people on here who had it very badly, but I think that's less common.

[susiemj]

Hi Shoobaloo,

I had exactly the same symptoms and have been diagnosed with SPD. If the same is diagnosed for you can I recommend two things to you? Firstly, don't look it up on the internet. Some sites make it sound really intimidating and I think is unrepresentative of people's experiences. Secondly, read the threads on here on SPD, especially the recent one I launched when I was freaking out. It's called SPD- What to expect. It's got lots of good advice and it's very reassuring.

Hope its nothing though!

[pendulum]

I had exactly what you describe from 20 weeks and thought I was developing SPD, but it turned out to be vulval varicose veins (not pleasant but less debilitating than SPD). Have you- er- taken a look down there? After a while of aching I developed a golf-ball sized swelling on one side and could clearly see a VV. The aching actually eased off a bit once the vein "gave up", as it were, but it was extremely painful for a few days.

Prob best to discuss with midwife as others have said.

[fettleandminifettle]

Oh shoobaloo - I didn't mean to scare you - I was trying to let you know that although you might hear scary things about SPD, it is not that bad for the majority of women. Should learn just not to say anything - I'm really sorry.

It really is nothing to worry about - a physio can just help if it is quite bad for you. I found the exercises helped a lot in the early stages - I didn't go til much later with my 1st pg, as I didn't really know what it was. Discuss it with your MW - she'll know much more reassuring advice for you!

Besides, it might just be VVVs, as pendulum said!!