Symphysis pubis dysfunction in pregnancy-fact or fantasy?

Abstract

Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) has been recog- nized as an Obstetric condition since the time of Hip- pocrates. In spite of this long history, many medical staff remain unaware of the condition. Women con- tinue to suffer from symphysis pubis pain with con- siderable reduction in quality of life during preg- nancy. In recent years there has been an upsurge in the reported incidence of SPD partly due to gross pre- vious under recognition. The increase in incidence has also been attributed to the sudden discovery of the SPD phenomenon by some women who have no symptoms but are generally fed up with being preg- nant. The allegation has been that these women use SPD as a reason to request for induction of labour