I was in so much pain that I couldn't walk for the last two months of Elizabeth's pregnancy. I couldn't climb steps, or roll over in bed, or even step into my underwear without biting my lips and sweating through the pain. Eventually, I had to have Kevin lay my underwear on the floor so I could shuffle into them and he could pull them up for me. (Hawt.)
I gimped into Dr. Loompa's office and told him about the shooting pains in my pelvis, but he just smiled and said, "Aches, pains...that's part of pregnancy!" I immediately felt like a giant hypochondriac and didn't say anything more about it.
I tried pushing myself harder, but the pain had me in sweaty, gasping tears. I got depressed and laid on the couch for a month. Then, Kevin insisted I leave the house and just use an electric cart to ride around in.
Anyway, two months of constant pain made labor seem like a breeze--six pushes and Elizabeth was out. Eight hours later, I was up walking the halls of the hospital, peeking in at other moms who just laid there groaning (but who had lots flowers and balloons in their rooms--damn you Kevin, you didn't give me shit) telling the nurses who yelled at me to get back in bed, "I haven't felt this good in months! I CAN WALK!"
Now...fast forward to this week. Guess what just came back?
This time I'm not a first-time mom freaked out that I might be like one of those wimps losing their shit on A Baby Story. I know this is not normal.
After some internet research, I stumbled onto symphysis pubis dysfunction, and finally felt some relief in knowing that I'm not weird, crazy, or a weakling. There is something wrong, damn it!
SPD is when pregnancy hormones do their job a little too well and relax an important ligament that holds the pelvis together. So, rather than staying in one firm piece--my pelvis is painfully separating and twisting out of alignment with each movement I make.
There's no real treatment (like most pregnancy issues) but it was nice to know that hey, other pregnant women are dealing with it too. You're not alone in this. You're not "weak" because you have to use the beeping cart at Wal-Mart--any more than another Preggo is "weak" for having gestational diabetes or severe morning sickness. Shit happens. It's okay.
This time, I'm going to ride in the stupid beeping cart and ignore the mindless Wal-Mart rabble. Maybe I'll embarrass Kevin by screaming out over the wide load beep, "Get out of my way! I have a dysfunctional pubis!"*
*I could also yell, "I have SPD!" but people would probably think I was saying, "I have a STD!" and might call Children's Services on me. Or at least yell back, "Boo! You whore!" and then I'd have to climb out of my beeping cart to defend my honor by beating the crap out of a Wal-Mart shopper in the Coco Crispies aisle. Which would probably hurt my pelvis even more and defeat the whole purpose of riding in said electric cart. I'll stick with the dysfunctional pubis line.**
**This post is guaranteed to score amusing Google analytics from pervs.
17 comments:
I had SPD when I was pregnant. I talked to my physiotherapist (who was helping me with pain and numbness in my leg from nerve damage to my back - thank you, pregnancy hormones) about it and learned about some things you can do. Kegels (because they can cure everything) to strengthen the muscles around your pelvis and a pregnancy belt, which is a thick tensor bandage with extra support on your back. It really helped me.
Good luck and have fun in Walmart whether you can walk or not!
No more "Wide Load" noises from Walmart carts this time around. Not enough credit is given to what women go through while pregnant. Yes it may be part of pregnancy but that doesn't mean it should be ignored, and when it's dysfunctional then...do something. So, now is the time to not push it, and my role now expands to provide more support, duh.
Lurker coming out here to say that: OMG I totally must have this too. Ever since the birth of my daughter my hips/pelvis have been completely OFF. I am actually going to physical therapy tomorrow for this. Now I am totally going to consult with Dr. Google to learn more about this. Thanks ;)
Thanks, Kevin. And thank you for putting on my socks and pants this morning. :)
A friend of mine had this. It was awful.
Sorry, that's all I got.
I had that with my 3rd pregnancy. It was hell. When I was in labor and they gave me the epidural, the relief I was the most giddy about wasn't from the contractions; it was the first time my pelvic region had been pain-free in about three months. And, like you, I was ready to run laps in the hallway when she was born because IT DIDN'T HURT ANYMORE! Even though there isn't really anything Dr. Loompa can do, I remain completely unimpressed by him and his shortcomings.
As far as Wal Mart goes, do what you've gotta do. A friend of mine had to use those carts for a few weeks for some placental issues, so she wasn't even all that big yet. She joked that she needed "high risk" stamped on her forehead. Maybe you should stamp "broken pubis" on yours? Not that that would stop the raised eyebrows. ;)
Delurking to say, Damn...that hurts. My doctor passed it off as aches and pains too and despite what people may think, that shit is for realz.
I searched and searched for relief too. A few things that worked for me, although I don't know if my case was severe compared to others. Take it for what it's worth.
I picked up a book at the libary that was specifically for this cause. I can't remember the name of it at the moment though. Dammit.
Acupuncture - Needles in my hips and ass. Massage of the ass. Good times. It worked. I promise.
Walk up the steps one step at a time.
When rolling over in bed, straighten the leg you plan to roll over and push off with the opposite leg to roll over.
When getting out of bed and the car, put both feet on the ground first before you stand up.
As for carting around Wal-mart? Own it!
aw man. I'm sorry.
Use the carts at Target. My friend Laura used one once when she was sick as a DOG and needed to run errands. I went with her. She got several understanding and pitying looks from strangers...better than the judging ones!
haha I hear ya on the google analytics.. i put lingere in my post the other day and yikes.. ha
I had that with my son! Welcome back... Missed you!
I'm laughing at the thought of you whoopin' up on somebody in the cereal aisle! you could post their picture to that website that has people from wal-mart. Of course, if I ever find myself on that website I'll have some serious ass whoopin' to do myself...who says a flannel shirt, gym shorts, and hiking boots don't go together?
As for the SPD, I'm really sorry that you're going through it again. I wonder if accupuncture would help? Or if you're adverse to needle, maybe accupressure?
HA! Don't be ashamed of the Wal-Mart cart! I think pregnant women have a far better excuse to use it than those people who are just overweight and don't want to walk.
I had this and got a pelvic stability belt, just wore it around my hips as tight as possible, it really helped. a physical therapist prescribed it.
Two words...Duct Tape. Just tape that pubis in place and you'll be good to go for the next two months!
(Thanks for the best belly laugh I had all day!)
I"m so sorry to giggle at your story... but you write so well! Really, sorry that you suffer...
And, I'm now curious what sort of twisted readers google has sent your way. (Yeah, I'm not one of THOSE... I swear...)
:)
I was never officially diagnosed, but this sounds like EXACTLY what I had with both kids as well. It's excruciating, you can't walk, and it feels like you're being split. Mine lasted for months afterwards too. Not fun. I feel for ya.
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