The pelvic outlet is an approximately diamond-shaped space that marks the inferior margin of the true pelvis.

The female pelvis is larger and broader than the male pelvis, which is taller (owing to a higher iliac crest), narrower, and more compact. The distance between the ischium bones is small in males. This results in the female inlet being large and oval in shape, while the male inlet is more heart shaped.

• sacrum.
• coccyx.
• hip bone.

While pelvis shape can vary widely among females, there are four general types: gynecoid, android, anthropoid, and platypelloid. The shape of your pelvis may affect whether you can give birth vaginally. The gynecoid pelvis is the most common pelvis shape in females and is favorable for a vaginal birth.

The pubis, also known as the pubic bone, is located in front of the pelvic girdle. In the rear, the ilium and ischium form the bowl shape of the pelvic girdle. The two halves of the pubic bone are joined in the middle by an area of cartilage called the pubic symphysis.

The most common causes of chronic pelvic pain are: endometriosis. chronic pelvic inflammatory disease – a bacterial infection of the womb, fallopian tubes or ovaries, which often follows a chlamydia or gonorrhoea infection and needs immediate treatment with antibiotics.

Pelvic pain affects the lowest part of the abdomen, between the belly button and groin. In women, pelvic pain may be a sign of menstrual cramps, ovulation, or a gastrointestinal issue such as a food intolerance. It can also develop due to a more serious problem.

Osteitis pubis can be infectious or non-infectious condition in the pubis that is very painful. It can be caused by staph or strep bacteria, non-infectious inflammation in pubis, pregnancy/childbirth due to pressure and causes laxity of ligaments.

There are several types of health conditions that can cause pelvic pain when you walk. In many cases, the cause of this type pain is related to your musculoskeletal system. This includes your bones, muscles, joints, and tendons. In other cases, the pain can also be associated with organs and tissues in your pelvis.

Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction Symptoms Shooting pain in the lower pelvis area. Lower back pain that radiates into the abdomen, groin area, thigh, and/or leg. Pain when you make certain movements like putting weight on one leg or when spreading your legs apart.

The main symptom is usually pain or discomfort in the pelvic region, usually centered on the joint at the front of the pelvis (the pubic symphysis). Some sufferers report being able to hear and feel the pubic symphysis and/or sacroiliac, clicking or popping in and out as they walk or change position.

Bed rest may be necessary until the pain subsides. Women with SPD might require more support and could need to stay longer in the hospital.

Remedies

1. placing a pillow between the legs when sleeping.
2. avoiding sitting for too long.
3. applying an ice pack to the pelvic area.
4. staying active but avoiding any activities that cause pain.
5. incorporating rest breaks every day.
6. wearing supportive shoes.
7. keeping the knees together when getting in and out of the car.

Try getting into bed “on all fours” and then lying on your side, rather than sitting in bed and lifting her legs up. Avoid positions with legs separated very wide: deep squat, child’s pose, butterfly stretch. Pillow between the legs when you sleep on your side at night. Gently squeeze the pillow when you roll in bed.

A separated pubic symphysis can take 3 to 8 months to heal on its own. For most women with this condition, pain or discomfort lingers for about 2 months after childbirth.

Sleep with a pillow in between your knees. This will help keep your pelvis aligned and will take the stretch off your hip and pelvic muscles when lying on your side by slightly elevating your top leg. A regular extra pillow may be used for this purpose.

This condition is called symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) or pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain. If your pelvic joints are moving unevenly, it can make your pelvis less stable. As a result, moving, walking, and sitting can all be very painful.

Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees and bent legs. This lightens the load of your pelvis and also supports your baby as they grow.

Although the symptoms of SPD don’t tend to disappear entirely until after you’ve given birth, there are lots of things that can be done to minimize your pain. That’s why it’s important to seek help.

Basically SPD is of itself not a reason to fear a longer or a more difficult labour in fact some midwives feel that the SPD indicates a flexible pelvis which assists the labour to be shorter and easier. The main difficulty with SPD in labour is that it can be quite painful to open your legs wide.

You’re unlikely to be offered an induction or a caesarean section purely because you have SPD. Some evidence suggests that severe pelvic pain may last longer after a caesarean than if you have your baby vaginally. The pubic symphysis part of your pelvis naturally separates during labour.

Obstetrician Leonie says: SPD gets more common as a woman has more babies, but having a big baby doesn’t increase your risk any more than having a smaller baby. SPD can be extremely debilitating and unfortunately there is no treatment that will cure it during pregnancy.

It is recommended that women with Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction give birth in an upright position with knees slightly apart. Another option is the all-fours position, keeping the knees close together. A waterbirth may be preferable as water allows buoyancy that can support the joints.

What Is PGP/SPD? Pelvic girdle pain (or PGP for short) is one of the more common of the aches and pains of pregnancy. It affects around 20 percent of mums-to-be. It takes the form of mild to severe pain in the front and/or back of your pelvis, but you may also feel it in other places like your hips or thighs.

Most women’s SPD/PGP disappears within the week following birth. If symptoms still remain 10-14 days following birth, you should refer to GP for further treatment and follow up care.

The incidence of diagnosed SPD is about 1 in 300 pregnancies, though some experts think that up to 25 percent of all pregnant women will experience SPD (though not all have it diagnosed).

“SPD can really come on at any time during pregnancy,” she says. “But 12-14 weeks is usually when you have a peak in relaxin.