As a professional dancer, you’ve always relied on being agile, flexible, and having a strong core. Your body is your greatest asset, and the tool that you have relied upon for years to forge your career.

However, now that you’re pregnant, you’re surprised to find that you’re coming across physical issues that have completely knocked you off balance. One of the main physical issues is pelvic pain.

Experiencing pelvic pain during pregnancy can be very distressing, especially if it’s something you’ve never experienced previously. However, this is a symptom that happens to a lot of women while they are expecting, and learning more about it can help you find solutions to any discomfort or pain you may be feeling.

So, let’s talk about what SPD (symphysis pubis dysfunction) is, what its symptoms are, what causes it, and how it can be treated.

What is SPD?

Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) is a problem with the pelvis. If a pregnant woman experiences any type of pelvic pain, it is classified as pelvic girdle pain. SPD is one type of pelvic girdle pain.

What are the symptoms of SPD?

Back pain, pain at the back of your pelvis or hip pain.

Pain down the inside of your thighs or between your legs.

Pain along with a clicking or grinding sensation in your pubic area.

Pain that gets worse by parting your legs, going up or down the stairs, or moving around in bed.

Pain that is worse during the night and stops you from having a good night's sleep.

Pain that can make it difficult to get up to go to the toilet in the middle of the night.

Now that we’ve outlined what SPD is, and what its symptoms are, let’s talk about what causes SPD in the first place.

What causes SPD?

When you’re pregnant, your body has to adapt to support a growing baby. Therefore, it produces a hormone called relaxin, which helps a baby pass through the pelvis by making the joints in your pelvis become more relaxed.

Although most of the time your body will cope with the changes, sometimes it will find it difficult to cope with the looser ligaments caused by relaxing. This condition can often be caused by changes to the way your muscles work to support the pelvic girdle joints, by the joints in your pelvis moving unevenly, or by pelvic joints not working properly and causing knock-on pain in the other joints within the pelvis.

Now that we’ve looked at what causes SPD, let’s talk about what you can do to get it treated, and ease your discomfort or pain.

How can my SPD be treated?

Exercises to strengthen your spinal, pelvic girdle, tummy, hip, and pelvic floor muscles. This will naturally improve the stability of your back and pelvis. For example, kneeling squats, seated ball squeeze, side-lying hip abductions and quadruped keels.

Acupuncture. This can help reduce the pain caused by SPD and is a safe, natural remedy to utilise during pregnancy.

Osteopathy. Another natural remedy you can use is osteopathy. Make sure you see a registered practitioner who is experienced in treating pregnant patients.

Use a pelvic support. This can give relief when you’re active or exercising.

How can I ease the pain of SPD?

There are several things you can do to make your pain and discomfort easier.

Be as active as you can. However, this doesn’t mean you should push yourself so far that you’re in pain.

Ask for and accept offers for help with daily chores.

Plan ahead so you can reduce activities that are problematic when it comes to movement.

Avoid any heavy lifting or pushing.

Try to sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees and keep your legs bent.

Why am I experiencing pelvic pain during pregnancy?

Unii ways in on this uncomfortable aspect of carrying a baby.