SYMPHYSEAL DISTENTION IN RELATION TO PELVIC PAIN IN PRIM/ AND MULTIGRAVID WOMEN

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the symphyseal distention and pelvic pain in primi and multigravidae at 20 and 35 weeks' gestation. Forty volunteer pregnant women at 20 weeks' gestation complained from pelvic pain participated in this study, from Outpatient Clinic of Obstetric Department at Bab EI-Sheria University Hospital. Women were divided randomly into two groups equal in number: Group (A) 20 primigravid women and Group (B) 20 multigravid women. Evaluation for all women was done at 20 and 35 weeks' gestation through measuring pelvic pain by visual analogue scale (VAS) and McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ). Symphyseal distention (width and vertical shift) was evaluated by ultrasonography. The results of this study revealed that pelvic pain and symphyseal distention were increased significantly between 20 and 35 weeks' gestation in both groups (A and B) and they increased significantly in group (B) than in group (A) at 20 and 35 weeks' gestation. Also there was a significant correlation between increased pelvic pain and increased symphyseal width, while symphyseal vertical shift had no significant correlation except in group (A) at 20 weeks' gestation. So, it could be concluded that severe pelvic pain during pregnancy is strongly associated with an increase symphyseal distention, which needs a spe'cial conservative physical therapy program to prevent it.