Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction (SPD)

There is an actual name for my pregnancy pain issues! Here's some information that I found online... (ignore the underlined words)

The pelvis is made up of 3 bones. The theory is while it is normal for your body to produce Relaxin and Progesterone ( both hormones) while pregnant to loosen those ligaments sometimes the body produces too much, causing the bones to rub together when moving. Woman who exhibit symptoms of SPD often have excessive levels of hormones, are more sensitive to hormones, or their pelvis is out of alignment. It has been estimated that 1 in 35 woman have problems with SPD while pregnant.

The pain that is associated with SPD effects the groin and pubic area of pregnant woman. Activities such as walking, rolling over in bed, sitting up and getting in and out of vehicles is particularly painful. Any activity that involves lifting one leg at a time, or parting the legs causes pain. Often times shooting down from the pelvis, down the legs, or in the sciatica area. Another common pain is severe round ligament pain, while round ligament pain is normal with pregnancy, it can be worse or more aggravating when the woman also has SPD.

Basic coping measures for the pain include sitting with the legs together, getting in and out of vehicles bottom first ( IE sitting down, then putting your feet in) and using pillows as support. Warm baths and ice packs may also offer some comfort measures. However SPD rights itself after the birth and within a year's time. More extensive measures can be taken, such as seeing a chiropractor for alignment or an osteopathic when the pain is bad, but it will not cure the pain. Wearing a pregnancy belt is often helpful, but again, it will not cure the pain. Having SPD while pregnant is definitely painful and uncomfortable. It makes getting things accomplished around the house difficult. It means walking is slow going.

This is EXACTLY what I've been experiencing. I've mentioned it to my doctor, and his response is always, "It'll be all better in September." I'm not sure if he realizes that this is not at all helpful. I think he thinks I'm just whining. I'm not even going to do the physical therapy this time (even though I did it for Baylor's and Nadia's pregnancies) because it honestly only offers relief that actual day. I do have a pregnancy brace, and it is helpful if I'm going to be standing, but it hurts to wear it when I'm sitting...like driving in a car or being at home.

One thing I experience is an inability to put my pants/underwear on one leg at a time. Getting in and out of the bathtub is also particularly painful-apparently because these activities involve putting all my weight on one leg. Coughing and sneezing also cause similar problems.

Painful Pelvis and Purple Toe.

My double-jointedness has been really bothering me these last couple of weeks. I can actually feel my pelvis moving and separating when I walk, get up, stand, or lay down for too long. Turning over during the night is especially excruciating. Sometimes I have to wake David up so he can help me turn over. Not fun at all!
On top of all of this, I'm pretty sure I broke my pinky toe. The wierd thing is I have no idea when or how this happened! Last night it started bothering me, and I realized I couldn't bend it at all. When I woke up this morning, it was purple. Seems like I'd remember hitting my toe hard enough to do that kind of damage, don't you think?
Baylor started diving class today, and he was so excited! It was so cute to see him running around getting his stuff ready to go. I mentioned to him that next year we may have to find a place on this side of town because his lessons are all the way in Carencro, and he said, "No Mom, we know those people. They know that I'm a good swimmer, and that I can show the rest of the class how to do stuff. I don't want to go anywhere else." I guess we'll have to see how much gas costs next summer!
Nadia has been doing some really cute things lately. My personal favorite is when she comes up to me and says, "Tiny, tiny baby, Momma." This means she wants me to hold her across my chest and act like I'm rocking her back and forth (the way you hold a newborn baby.) I tell you, it just makes my heart melt. She also now says, "I yuh you." We say, "Nadia, I love you." and she replies, "I yuh you." It's wonderful.
When we ask her, "Nadia, who loves you?" Her answer is, "Je-sus." Then we say, "How much does He love you?" and she responds by opening her arms out at her sides and she says, "Big, big."
We've been working on her colors, but so far everything is blue. We'll ask her what color something is and her answer is always "Boo."
She has been getting a few bites from ants and/or mosquitos. Even a week later, after the bite is almost gone, she'll point to the spot and say, "Bad Bug."
I've been looking through my cookbook for ideas for my monthly menu planning. I think I'm going to have a few family favorites, and then try a few new recipes every month. I get really tired of eating the same thing over and over. It can be especially repetitive for us considering we can have no poultry or seafood, and very little rice in our meal rotations! Lots of ground beef, pasta, and bread.
I registered Baylor for Fall Soccer tonight online. We're actually going to have time to do it since he won't have any homework next year. It will be wonderful to actually have some family time, and time for Baylor to actually be a kid. He's growing up so fast, and I'm loving the fact that these last few years before his teen years will be spent playing outside, riding his bike, and playing soccer. (That's the way it should be, if you ask me!)
Nadia is going to Kasie's tomorrow, and Baylor and I are going to spend the day together. Right now the plan is movies and lunch, but it may change. (Probably not though, since we both really like movies and it's too hard to go when Nadia is with us.
David has jury duty tomorrow. Guess what? He can't bring his phone in the courthouse with him because they don't allow camera phones. What in the world do you think David is going to do all day? He can't work, and he can't play with his technology! I'm thinking I'll offer him a good book to read. I'm reading Searching for God Knows What by Don Miller. Maybe he'd like that!

Giving this a try!

I am 29 weeks pregnant today. I can't believe how quickly this pregnancy has gone by! I had to go to the lab this morning for my one hour glucose tolerance test, and I'm hoping and praying that I don't have gestational diabetes like I did for Nadia.

Baylor is playing Spiderman on Xbox, and N is trying to keep busy to avoid having to go down for a nap. I've got news for her, but naptime is rapidly approaching.

Today we had lunch with my mom and dad at Hub City Diner. I thought the food was fabulous (although that's probably because I'd been fasting since midnight last night!)

At lunch Nadia kept us entertained by writing her name. She's scribble something that didn't really resemble any letters but at least use small motor coordination and then hit me on the arm until I acknowledged her masterpiece. It was so cute! She was very proud of her writing abilities.

Even though this is July, our summer really hasn't started. I feel like I've spent the entire month of June in our van transporting Baylor from Fast Forword in the mornings or reading clinic in the afternoons. I'm ready for several days of just staying home. This isn't going to happen though, because Baylor has soccer camp starting next week. Oh Joy!