Pelvic bones hurt after childbirth. Causes of pain in the pubic bone after childbirth

Pregnancy is a special condition of a woman, which is accompanied by hormonal changes. All changes are aimed at adapting the body to bearing a child and childbirth. However, due to certain characteristics of a woman’s body or due to the fact that the concentration of hormones increases several times, various painful sensations may appear.

These are the pelvic and lumbar pain, occurring in 25-50% of pregnant women and women in postpartum period. They are most often affected in the last months of gestation. This is due to the fact that the fetus becomes quite heavy, and the concentration of some hormones in the blood is at a maximum.

An important point is that the concentration of some hormones increases, while others decrease in different periods gestation. In this regard, the severity of their effect on the fetus and the pregnant woman’s body changes.

Hormone name Mechanism of action Trimesters Postpartum period
I II III
Progesterone Stimulates the mammary glands of a pregnant woman to increase the number of glandular cells, ensures the attachment of the embryo to the wall of the uterus and its development by suppressing the mother’s immunity and reducing her contractility. Promotes fluid retention in the body. 18.50 – 44.80 nmol/l 46.80 – 83.90 nmol/l 91.50 – 273.30 nmol/l 16.50 – 19.00 nmol/l
Estrogens Improve functional state uterus, and also increase blood flow in its tissues. The breasts are prepared for feeding by enlarging the alveolar ducts. Stimulates the growth of the uterus. Reduce blood pressure pregnant and increase blood clotting. Promotes increased fat deposition and relaxation ligamentous apparatus in the pelvic area. 0.205 – 3.50 ng/ml 4.10 – 12.10 ng/ml 13.10 – 39.50 ng/ml 40.00 – 45.50 ng/ml
Chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) Controls the course of pregnancy early stages and performs a protective function. Stimulates the release of hormones by the adrenal glands, which protect the fetus from attack by its immune system. After all, 50% of the body perceives it as a foreign body. Improves functional activity placenta due to increased blood flow in its tissues. 45 – 90000 IU/ml 10000 – 35000 IU/ml 10000–60000 IU/ml -
Relaxin Reduces the tensile strength of ligaments in the pelvic area, pubis and sacroiliac region. Stimulates the opening of the cervix, reduces blood pressure and dilates blood vessels. - - - -
Prolactin Increases the growth of the mammary gland due to glandular cells, which in the future will synthesize colostrum and milk for the child. 9 – 190 ng/ml 45 – 265 ng/ml 50 – 350 ng/ml 70 – 450 ng/ml
Somatomammotropin The action is aimed at the growth of the mammary gland and its preparation for milk production. The hormone has very high activity. 0.05 – 1.7 mg/l 0.3 – 6.6 mg/l 2.6 – 11.5 mg/l -

Let's figure out why the pelvic bones, lower back and sacrum hurt during pregnancy and after childbirth? Is this kind of pain normal after childbirth?

Physiological action

It is believed that the hormone relaxin weakens the ligaments and helps soften the cartilage of the pubic and iliosacral joints. Its concentration increases at the end of the third trimester, thereby preparing the birth canal. The cartilaginous disc of the symphysis pubis, interosseous, dorsal, and ventral sacroiliac ligaments of a similar joint fall under the influence of relaxin. During pregnancy and in the first days after childbirth, the pelvic bones hurt most intensely; it may be difficult for a woman to lie on her side and back. Pain syndrome localized in the sacrum, lumbar region, and hip joint. After childbirth, the condition returns to normal within a few weeks. painful sensations subside.

Excessive action

At increased concentration the hormone relaxin and its metabolites in the blood or during high sensitivity to it, it can cause excessive relaxation of the pelvic ligaments and cartilage. With pathological relaxation of the cartilage of the symphysis pubis, the pelvic bones diverge and symphysitis occurs, and if the sacroiliac is affected, sacroiliopathy occurs.

These diseases are accompanied by the sacrum, coccyx and hip joint area. Pain of moderate or moderate intensity increases with palpation in the pubic area and when getting out of bed. Patients complain that the pelvis and its bones hurt when going to the toilet. After rest, the pain usually goes away and worsens with any physical activity.

Injuries during childbirth

Increased relaxin activity, large fetus, complications labor activity can lead to rupture of the symphysis pubis or damage to the coccyx. When the symphysis pubis ruptures, the pelvic bones diverge in this area up to 5-7 cm and immediately after childbirth cause painful sensations of moderate or high intensity. The pain worsens with any movement, and in bed after childbirth the postpartum woman is in a forced position - the “frog pose”.

If the coccyx is injured, the postpartum woman will feel pain only when she stands on her feet or sits for a very long time, during the act of defecation. The pain is intense, nagging in nature, aggravated by rising from a sitting position, bending forward, or muscle tension. pelvic floor. The injury may be accompanied by curvature of posture and spine - antalgic posture.

  1. Objective data.

In addition to collecting complaints about pain in the relevant area, studying the medical history, the doctor conducts examination and palpation to find out the distance between the pelvic bones and evaluate the function of the joints. Also, if there is a rupture of the symphysis pubis or symphysitis, the patient will not be able to raise her legs in an extended position upward while lying on a hard couch. There may be difficulties when moving up the stairs, changes in gait, which are diagnostic criteria for making this diagnosis.

  1. Radiography.

The main research method, which is a litmus test in the diagnosis of postpartum injuries and lesions of the ligamentous apparatus of the pelvis, remains radiography. It is thanks to her that diagnoses such as “symphysitis”, “rupture of joints”, “fracture and dislocation of the coccyx”, “sacroiliitis” can be made.

According to X-ray data, 3 stages, or degrees of severity, of symphysitis are distinguished:

  • Stage I – the distance between the pelvic bones is from 0.5 cm to 1 cm;
  • Stage II – from 1 cm to 1.9 cm;
  • Stage III – more than 2 cm.

If the distance increases by more than 2-3 cm, you should think about rupture of the symphysis pubis.

Treatment of diseases associated with damage to the ligamentous apparatus of the pelvis after childbirth is aimed at creating favorable conditions for healing and strengthening of the surrounding ligaments. For this purpose, postpartum women are prescribed orthopedic pillows in the shape of the letter C, seat cushions in the shape of a ring (donut), massage, water aerobics and swimming.

A good assistant in treatment is a bandage, which provides quick and effective strengthening ligaments, restoration of the function of the musculoskeletal system, with its simultaneous unloading. The bandage is worn throughout the entire illness. There are also special corsets that ensure the immobility of the tailbone and help heal it. Medicines are also prescribed that are aimed at reducing inflammation and relieving pain - paracetamol, ibuprofen, B vitamins.

Timely contacting a doctor with complaints, a detailed medical history and characteristics of the pain (where and how it hurts) allows for the maximum possible treatment in the early stages of the disease. effective treatment, is protection against the development of complications.

Sources:

  1. Obstetrics / V.I. Duda - Minsk - 2013 - 576 pages.
  2. Obstetrics and gynecology T.1 / V.M. Zaporozhan – 2005 – 472 pages.
  3. Obstetrics. National benefit / E.K. Ailamazyan, V.I. Kulakova, V.E. Radzinsky, G.M. Savelyeva – 2009 – 1200 pages.

Orthopedic traumatologist, first category surgeon, Research Institute, 2009

Pregnancy is always a huge burden on a woman’s body. It especially increases in the third trimester, when the baby grows up and puts pressure on almost everything. internal organs. However, childbirth can also be a serious challenge.

According to statistics, more than half of new mothers complain that their pelvic bones hurt after childbirth. This syndrome may indicate serious problems in a woman’s body, and therefore there is no point in delaying a visit to the doctor. Such issues are dealt with by a specialist - a vertebrologist, who will not ignore any pain in the hip joint after childbirth, will prescribe a serious examination, and after receiving its results will give recommendations for treatment.

Disappointing statistics indicate that pelvic bones hurt after childbirth not only in women predisposed to diseases of the pelvis and spine. Even quite healthy young ladies who lead a passive lifestyle, move little, eat poorly and work hard sedentary work, may complain of hip pain after childbirth. Lack of movement significantly weakens the body of the expectant mother, this applies to both the pelvic bones and muscles. After delivery naturally such women may complain about unpleasant symptoms, including on:

  • Pulling and dull pain, which can be constant and worsen during movements or even during sleep;
  • Feeling of tightness in the muscles;
  • Limited movement;
  • Muscle spasm that long time does not pass.

Immediately after appearance specified symptoms you should consult a doctor. He will conduct an examination, prescribe a diagnosis and find the root cause of the pain.

Features and needs of diagnostics

Pelvic pain after childbirth is a condition that, in pathology, almost never goes away on its own. Over time discomfort can only increase, and therefore cannot be delayed; you should immediately consult a doctor. The doctor will decide what kind of research will be needed to identify the cause of pelvic pain after childbirth. Among the methods used:


After carrying out the necessary examination, a diagnosis can be made and the cause of the pain that occurs can be established. The patient may be diagnosed with symphysitis, the severity of which will depend on the distance between the pelvic bones. There are several stages of the disease: I – up to 1 cm, II – up to 1.99 cm, III – 2.0 cm or more. If the third stage is detected, the doctor may make another diagnosis - “rupture of the symphysis pubis.”

Causes of pain syndrome

If after childbirth your leg hurts in the hip and pelvic area, an examination will be required. It can reveal displacement of the pelvic bones during childbirth. In some cases, the tailbone and pelvic bones may also become displaced. This is necessary to free the fetus to pass through birth canal. Nature intended for this process to be virtually painless, since the woman’s body prepares for this for a long time. And while the woman may not notice the displacement itself, the process of return is quite noticeable, and therefore can bring a lot of suffering. Often young mothers complain that their hips hurt after childbirth. This may indicate that:

  • There is a lack of calcium in the body - during gestation and during delivery, calcium is simply washed out of the body, and therefore the body lacks resources, which is indicated by pain syndromes.
  • Softening of the tissues has occurred - this is a natural process that is caused by an increase in a certain hormone that is secreted by the body to calm the woman in labor. Since the tissues cannot perform the functions assigned to them, this leads to pain.
  • Sprained ligaments and muscles are a condition that can also cause discomfort.
  • Birth trauma is what most often explains why it hurts hip joint after childbirth. Dislocation, bone fracture, tissue rupture - all this can cause severe pain. Failure to see a doctor in a timely manner can lead to bones not healing properly. And this will already entail a change in gait.

The role of calcium in the mother's condition

Already at 30–34 weeks, you can notice that the pregnant woman begins to involuntarily tilt her body back, trying to shift her weight. Nature has also provided something else - a change in gait to a “duck” one, when a woman shifts from one foot to the other. But by this point future mommy He already has time to get used to the unpleasant stretching in the lumbar region, even to the pain. They can be caused by insufficient calcium. This causes the development of symphysiopathy, which is why the doctor observing the pregnant woman necessarily prescribes calcium.

Medicines strengthen bones and also reduce pain. However, you should not be zealous in taking it - the dosage is strictly observed to avoid negative consequences, which includes the formation of kidney stones. The correct approach to solving this problem eliminates pain after childbirth.

Symphysis

If the pelvis hurts after childbirth, the cause may be a change in the structure of soft tissues - dense cartilage and symphysis, located in the area of ​​the pubis and pelvic bone. Divergence bone tissue after childbirth is no longer uncommon, and this condition can lead to sharp and severe pain, which often does not go away on its own, but only increases. The painful condition can be so severe that it will be difficult for a woman to walk or stand normally.

Treatment of symphysis

What to do if your pelvis hurts after childbirth? Contact a verterbrologist or another doctor who will examine the patient and take rational decision about the need for treatment. Sometimes the body copes on its own, but this is in the case of minimal damage. If the pain continues for a long time after childbirth, serious treatment will be required. The doctor decides whether it is necessary:

Quite often, doctors advise combining bed rest with exercise. You should not select exercises yourself; an osteopath should work with the patient. He also assesses the condition and makes a decision about the possibility/impossibility of performing a group of exercises.

Preventive measures

To prevent injury during childbirth, as well as the development pathological conditions, follows:

During pregnancy and childbirth musculoskeletal system women are experiencing significant transformations. In order to make it easier for a newborn baby to pass through the birth canal latest dates The pelvic bones begin to diverge, the cartilaginous tissue softens. After childbirth, reverse changes occur, which may be accompanied by significant painful sensations. Most often the pain is localized in the area pubic bone. Why does this happen and how to reduce pain?

What causes pain?

The pelvic bones are connected in front by the pubic symphysis. The symphysis is the pubic articulation of the pelvic bones, surrounded on all sides by ligaments. Its width does not exceed 1 cm and it has very limited motor capabilities. During pregnancy, the pubic joint gains some mobility and stretches. This occurs under the influence of the hormone relaxin secreted by the placenta and ovaries, which helps soften the cartilage and ligaments at the junction of the pubic bones to facilitate the passage of the child through the birth canal.

In the last stages of pregnancy, relaxin is produced more and more intensely, causing the appearance of gaps in the joints, swelling of cartilage tissue, increasing the mobility of the pelvic joints and the distances between the pelvic bones. The pubic symphysis also increases, usually by 5–6 mm. Very often, such changes in the musculoskeletal system are accompanied by unpleasant sensations. Almost all women experience a little pain in their pubic bone before giving birth and this is considered normal.

However, in some cases, the softening of the pubic joint occurs too much, which leads to hypermobility of the bones and swelling of the pubis. This condition is called symphysiopathy, is accompanied by severe pain and requires consultation with a doctor. Women with this pathology develop a characteristic “duck” gait. If the pelvic bones hurt very much when walking or turning from side to side during sleep, the doctor prescribes an ultrasound examination of the woman, as well as a consultation with a gynecologist and surgeon to determine the cause of the pain.

The birth of a baby is one of the most happy events in a woman's life. It is also the most painful. After all, the process of childbirth is not always calm and quick. It involves complex mechanisms the work of the reproductive system, the components of which are the divergence of the pelvic bones. The woman’s body prepares for this process in advance, which is accompanied by significant discomfort and pain. When, after childbirth, do the pelvic bones return to their proper position? natural position? What are the features of this process?

About the timing of the convergence of the pelvic bones

The postpartum period is a time no less important than pregnancy itself. This is why many experts call it the tenth month. For nine months female body actively prepared for the birth of the baby, adjusted to his needs, and endured discomfort. Therefore, it is not surprising that the recovery period after childbirth cannot be quick. Only to recover reproductive system, it takes at least 6-8 weeks, after which the woman needs to see a gynecologist.

Major changes to female body When carrying a child, they occur due to the action of hormones. During pregnancy, they are actively produced, which is necessary for the healthy development of the fetus, preparing ligaments and bones for the upcoming birth. After the baby appears, the woman’s body again undergoes hormonal changes. Those hormones that were responsible for the development of the child fade into the background; the hormone prolactin, necessary for the production of breast milk. The process of restoration of a woman's body after childbirth is called involution. It also provides for the convergence of the pelvic bones.

What happened to them before the baby was born? Obstetricians-gynecologists state that the divergence of the pelvic bones occurs immediately before childbirth. Essentially this is softening cartilage tissue in the area of ​​the pubic symphysis, the divergence of the bones does not go beyond one and a half to two centimeters. After childbirth, there cannot be a lightning-fast return to their original state. Even if the birth was easy and quick, the bones will return to their natural position for a long time. This often takes the entire postpartum period, that is, 6-8 weeks.

About gymnastics after childbirth

Experts recommend that new mothers do not delay in completing special exercises postpartum gymnastics. As soon as your health allows, you need to start. The main goal of such gymnastics is to prevent the negative consequences of childbirth in the pelvic area, for example, urinary incontinence or symphysitis, or uterine prolapse.

After the birth of a child, the pelvic bones return to their place after some time, but some mothers are sure that the volume of their hips increases during childbirth, but this is not so.

Thanks to restorative gymnastics, the pelvic floor muscles are strengthened, the contractile activity of the uterus is improved, and it returns to its original size. So, you should start doing these exercises:

  1. Abdominal retraction. You need to lie on your back, bend your knees, and press your feet to the floor. Your palms should be on your stomach. It must be pulled in very strongly as you exhale and hold this position, first for 3-4 seconds, then 6-10. The exercise is repeated after a deep and slow breath.
  2. Bridge. Starting position bodies the same. After exhaling, you need to raise your pelvis, tighten your buttocks and pull in your stomach. At the same time, the head is raised and the chin is pressed to the chest. This difficult exercise, the number of repetitions must be increased gradually.
  3. Raising your legs. Lying on your back with your legs straight, you need to slowly lift each of them up in turn. In this case, you need to pull the sock towards you. Exercises must be performed at a slow pace.
  4. Cat. The exercise is performed from a position on all fours. You need to bend your back and round it with a wheel, while drawing in your stomach. The exercise tightens the muscles of the abs, back, and buttocks.
  5. Squats. Performed slowly from a standing position. You need to squat so that your hips form a right angle with the floor. At the same time, straight arms are extended forward. At the end of the execution, you can spring on your bent legs, increasing the static load and straining your abs.

So, performing postpartum gymnastics will help the woman regain her shape and the pelvic bones will quickly return to their original position.

Sometimes after childbirth there are complaints of pain or unpleasant “crunching” sensations in the symphysis pubis, which intensify when changing position or walking up the stairs. A diagnosis is made: symphysitis. As a rule, a woman associates the resulting pathology with the birth. Is this fair?

A little anatomy to find out Why do my pelvic bones hurt after childbirth??
During childbirth, the fetus passes through the woman’s bony pelvis, which is formed from the sides by two pelvic bones (fused pubis, ischium and ilium), and from the back by the sacrum. Both pelvic bones are connected in front by the pubic joint - the symphysis, and in the back - by two sacroiliac joints.
The pubic symphysis is the pubic fusion of both pubic bones of the pelvis through a fibrocartilaginous disc, in the center of which there is an articular cavity in the form of a gap, filled joint fluid. Front and back, above and below, the symphysis is strengthened by ligaments that give strength to this joint. The pubic symphysis is a semi-joint, i.e. has an extremely limited range of movement. Normally, the width of the symphysis (the distance between the pubic bones) can be up to 1 cm.
In front of the pubic symphysis is the pubis with its fatty lining and the ligament that elevates the clitoris. Nerves and blood vessels pass below the symphysis. Behind the pubic symphysis are the urethra and bladder. Symphysitis- this is the general name for changes and damage to the symphysis pubis, which hides up to 16 components: loosening, softening, edematous impregnation, stretching, expansion, divergence, rupture, inflammatory process, special shape hypovitaminosis, symphysiopathy, symphysitis itself, etc. Most often, these changes occur and manifest themselves during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. In this article we'll talk about the consequences that they can lead to. Divergence of the symphysis pubis.
It arises as a result of events physiological changes as an adaptive process to facilitate childbirth; those. these are normal changes.
At physiological pregnancy the ovaries and placenta secrete a substance called relaxin, which has a specific relaxing effect. Under the combined action of relaxin and female sex hormones, articular cartilage and ligaments swell, loosen, and additional fluid-filled gaps appear in the joints, resulting in increased mobility in the pelvic joints and an increase in the distance between the bones that form each joint.
These changes are especially pronounced in the symphysis pubis; there is an increase in blood supply, swelling and loosening of the entire ligamentous apparatus. The width of the pubic articulation increases by 5-6 mm, small movements (up to 10 mm) of the articular ends of the pubic bones up and down are possible, like the keys of a piano. The width of the pubic joint reaches 1.5 cm, the divergence of the sacroiliac joint increases to a lesser extent.
In the postpartum period, all these changes are gradually eliminated - the cartilage in the joints becomes denser, the ligaments acquire their former elasticity and density, and the width of the joint space decreases. Symphysiopathy. This is the name for excessive relaxation of the symphysis pubis as a manifestation of toxicosis in pregnant women with a predominant lesion of the osteoarticular system of the woman’s body. For some women these changes in the structure of the joints go beyond physiological processes, acquire pathological character and lead to excessive divergence of the pelvic joints. Symphysiopathy is characterized by the appearance of complaints and symptoms in the presence of discrepancies in the symphysis pubis. There are three degrees of divergence of the symphysis (above the physiological discrepancy of 5-6 mm):
I degree - discrepancy by 5-9 mm;
II degree - by 10-20 mm;
III degree - more than 20 mm.
A leading role in the development of symphysiopathy is played by disturbances in phosphorus-calcium metabolism and a lack of vitamin D. Calcium is the main structural component of skeletal bones and teeth. The metabolism of calcium and phosphorus is regulated mainly by the hormone pair thyroid gland, calcitonin - a thyroid hormone - and vitamin D, depends on the quality of food, the ratio of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in it. When the phosphorus-calcium balance is disturbed in the direction of decreasing calcium, these elements come to the fetus from the “reserves” of the mother’s body - bones and teeth.
With a lack of vitamin D, bone mineralization is impaired due to impaired absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the intestine, as well as their mobilization from bone tissue. A decrease in blood calcium levels may also occur with concomitant pathology: diseases gastrointestinal tract, chronic enteritis, dysfunction of the parathyroid gland, renal failure, diabetes mellitus, and also when diet With insufficient content calcium, vomiting of pregnancy and other conditions. Against such a painful background, pregnancy and breastfeeding can aggravate calcium deficiency.
As a rule, symphysiopathy manifests itself long before childbirth. Against the background of calcium starvation, tooth decay, brittle nails, general fatigue, paresthesia (the appearance of a tingling sensation and changes in skin sensitivity), twitching and contraction of individual muscles are characteristic, night cramps in the calf muscles. With minor discrepancies of the symphysis, the appearance of “flying” pain in the pelvic bones and lower back is regarded as radiculitis, osteochondrosis, or threat of miscarriage. In the second and third trimester of pregnancy, symphysiopathy is characterized by pain and discomfort in the pelvic bones when walking and standing.
The disease is not uncommon. Symphysiopathy may not make itself felt before childbirth and may be hidden. In the second half of pregnancy, the pubic bone ratio is constrained by the tension of the abdominal muscles due to the enlargement of the uterus. Immediately after childbirth, flabbiness of the abdominal muscles occurs and the discrepancy of the pubic bones can increase to 20 mm or more. For symphysis pubis discrepancy II and especially III degree during pregnancy and childbirth, diagnosis is not difficult: a change in the nature of pain in the symphysis area occurs, which intensifies when turning in bed, with active movement of the legs, often the woman cannot walk. In bed, the patient takes a certain position - the “frog pose”: she lies on her back with her hips turned outward and her hips turned outward and her knees slightly bent.
When pressing on the pubic symphysis, both from the front and from the vagina, severe pain is determined. In addition, you can determine the discrepancy itself - the fingertip is placed in it. A significant discrepancy of the symphysis pubis (more than 2 cm) is also indicated by the appearance of a waddling, duck-like gait.
The diagnosis is clarified by x-ray and ultrasound diagnostics. During pregnancy, preference is given to ultrasound diagnostics, considering harmful influence X-rays to the fetus. Typically, an X-ray of the pelvis reveals discrepancy of the symphysis pubis of varying degrees, but there are no pathological changes in the bones.
When determining the concentration of calcium and magnesium in the blood and urine, their amount in the blood decreases by almost half, and their content in the urine is slightly increased. Only by determining the content of calcium and magnesium in the blood and urine of a pregnant woman in the absence of complaints can one predict the divergence of the symphysis pubis.
The course of symphysiopathy is usually favorable. This disease in itself during pregnancy is not an indication for delivery through surgery. caesarean section- neither planned nor emergency. To determine obstetric tactics In choosing a method of delivery, the size of the divergence of the symphysis pubis is important.
If there is pronounced divergence of the symphysis during pregnancy and there is a risk of injury to the pelvic bone during childbirth, delivery is performed by cesarean section. When the pelvis is narrowed and relatively large size For a fetus with a voluminous, dense head, the critical divergence distance should be considered 10 mm.
Rupture of the symphysis. This severe form of symphysis injury is rare. It is characterized by a violation of the integrity of the joint, is most often associated with childbirth and occurs when the divergence of the symphysis pubis of the third degree is more than 2 cm. Rupture of the symphysis pubis with damage to the ligaments is often combined with damage to one or both sacroiliac joints and usually occurs during childbirth with surgical delivery (obstetric forceps) or when a narrowed pelvis is combined with violent labor.
On my own mechanical injury does not have a dominant value: the tensile strength of the pubic symphysis is on average 200 kg. The changes associated with symphysiopathy, as well as the preceding ones, are of primary importance. inflammatory changes in the pubic bones and pubic symphysis, and even a slight mechanical impact is an impetus for the rupture of the weak adhesion of the ligamentous apparatus.
In most cases, during childbirth there is a slow spreading of the tissues of the symphysis pubis, so complaints of pain in the pubic area, aggravated by moving the legs, appear a few hours later or on the 2nd -3rd day after birth. Only in in rare cases the woman in labor feels sharp pain in the area of ​​the womb, sometimes a characteristic sound of tearing ligaments is heard, after which even the large head of the fetus quickly descends through the expanded bone ring.
Rupture of the pubic symphysis is sometimes accompanied by injury to the bladder and urethra, the formation of hematomas in the pubic area and labia, and the addition of an inflammatory process - symphysitis.
The postpartum woman cannot raise her legs (symptom of “stuck heel”) and turn on her side; in bed she takes a forced position (“frog pose”). On palpation both from the front and from the side of the vagina, severe pain is determined and, in addition, mobility of the pubic bones and retraction due to their wide distance from each other.
The nature of the damage is clarified when x-ray examination. A rupture of the symphysis pubis is indicated by: divergence of the pubic bones up to 7-8 cm,
the presence of a vertical displacement of the horizontal branch of the bone by 4 mm or more.
Without special treatment symphyseal ligaments do not fuse or are connected by scar tissue, forming false joint, therefore, when walking, both halves of the pelvis subsequently make rocking movements, a “duck walk” appears, and constant complaints of lumbosacral pain are regarded as radiculitis.
In severe cases of damage to the symphysis pubis (rupture, severe sprain), as well as in the absence of effect from conservative treatment are usually used surgical treatment using metal structures, applying lavsan and wire sutures. Working capacity is restored 3-4 months after surgery.
Symphysitis. This term refers to changes in the pubic symphysis caused by an inflammatory process. Symphysitis is characterized by the fact that in the presence or absence of a pronounced divergence of the pubic bones, the disease is accompanied by a characteristic inflammatory reaction: pain, impaired movement in the limbs, swelling and redness in the pubic area, and a fever. The x-ray shows the discrepancy of the symphysis pubis with the phenomena of osteoporosis (rarefaction) in the bone tissue.
Chronic inflammatory processes V bladder(cystitis) and urethra(urethritis) may be accompanied by focal changes in the symphysis pubis. The disease develops when there is chronic infection in the genitourinary tract (ureaplasma, mycoplasma, herpetic infection, staphylococcus carriage) in pregnant and postpartum women against the background of calcium and magnesium deficiency, with hypovitaminosis D. The use of antibacterial therapy in combination with calcium and magnesium preparations, UV irradiation gives excellent and rapid therapeutic effect even with severe course symphysitis with pronounced divergence of the symphysis pubis.
For the prevention of symphysiopathy and other damage to the symphysis pubis, the following are important:

  1. A diet rich in minerals and trace elements involved in the formation of the skeleton (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, manganese), as well as rich in vitamin D: milk, lactic acid products, yoghurts, low-fat cheeses, eggs (yolk), meat and liver of mammals and birds, meat fatty fish, fish liver, caviar, seafood, as well as legumes, mushrooms, herbs, nuts.
  2. Sufficient physical activity during pregnancy, visiting schools for expectant mothers where it is used therapeutic exercises to strengthen the muscles of the back, abdomen, buttocks and stretch the pelvic floor ligaments.
  3. Long stay fresh air. Under the influence ultraviolet rays sunlight Vitamin D is produced in the skin.
  4. Taking multivitamins for pregnant women, biologically active additives with trace elements and antioxidants.
  5. For poor calcium absorption associated with gastrointestinal disease, take digestive enzymes, fight against dysbiosis.

Treatment of symphysiopathy
If the pubic symphysis diverges during pregnancy and childbirth, as a rule, surgery can be avoided.
In case of development of symphysiopathy with slight divergence of the symphysis pubis during pregnancy or after childbirth, restriction is recommended physical activity, wearing a bandage, sleeping on an orthopedic mattress, taking calcium supplements in a well-absorbable form (CALCIUM CARBONATE, CALCIUM L ACT), CaDs NYCOMED, ​​FISH OIL (preferably in capsules), MAGNE Be, B vitamins, UV irradiation. In the presence of a urogenital infection, it is prescribed antibacterial therapy taking into account sensitivity to antibiotics. It is also recommended to use painkillers in the form of gels, ointments or suppositories and tablets.
With II and III degrees of divergence of the pubic bones in the postpartum period, the main thing is to bring the ends of the pubic bones closer together and hold the pelvic bones in a certain position. This is achieved by bed rest (you cannot get up or walk for 2 to 6 weeks after birth), as well as by using a bandage or tight bandage. On the first day after birth, cold is used, and subsequently physiotherapeutic procedures are used on the area of ​​the symphysis pubis. Calcium supplements and painkillers are used; if inflammation occurs (symphysitis), antibacterial therapy and a diet with increased content calcium.
After the expiration of the period, X-ray control is carried out, after which the woman begins to wear a bandage.
Currently, special corsets are used that help hold the pelvic bones in a certain position, which allows for extended bed rest. Usually within 3-5 days bed rest wearing a corset, a woman can already get up and care for her child. The corset is worn from 3 to 6 months.
In order to facilitate childbirth, eliminate the existing obstacle to the passage of the fetus, especially the head through the bone ring in the presence of pelvic narrowing, from ancient times to the present in some countries of Africa and Latin America They use a pelvic dilatation operation - symphysiotomy (dissection of the symphysis).