Oti Mabuse discusses ‘painful’ health condition in pregnancy — What is Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction?
Oti Mabuse has discussed the "painful" health condition she’s struggling with during pregnancy and approaching the birth of her first child.
The former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, 33, revealed in August that she and her partner, Marius Lepure, 37, were expecting a baby together.
Since then the Dancing on Ice judge has been detailing her experiences of pregnancy, recently opening up about one of the downsides.
Sharing a video of her workout to Instagram, the mum-to-be revealed she's been impacted by Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD).
According to the NHS, SPD is common in pregnancies and includes several uncomfortable symptoms caused by stiffness in the pelvis joints or the joints moving unevenly.
"Working out with SPD," Mabuse began her post. "I completely fell off the bandwagon with my fitness and I immediately could feel it when I went back."
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The dancer turned presenter says the pain she is experiencing intensifies while she's sleeping at night and though she's not yet wearing a belt, she believes she will do so as her pregnancy continues.
She also detailed how the condition is impacting her ability to stay fit.
"My level of activity depends on how severe my SPD is that day," she explains. "It can be very frustrating if you used to exercise regularly and have to stop. Walking, sitting, driving all become a bit painful.
"But we push on and grand ourselves some GRACE! Taking it slow and breathing through everything - Change is good, it might be difficult but it’s all for a good reason."
Mabuse ended her post by acknowledging that many people have to cope with SPD and asking her followers for any tips.
The former Strictly star isn't the only celebrity to discuss their experiences of SPD in pregnancy. Earlier this year, model Roxy Horner detailed the “excruciating” pain experienced due to do the condition.
The model, 32, who welcomed her first child, a daughter, with boyfriend Jack Whitehall last month, revealed the "agonising" pelvic pain she faced as a result of SPD when walking or attempting any movement in her final trimester.
What is Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD)?
Symptoms of SPD
over the pubic bone at the front in the centre, roughly level with your hips
across your lower back
in the area between your vagina and anus (perineum)
spreading to your thighs
some women may feel or hear a clicking or grinding in the pelvic area.
The NHS says the pain can be worse when walking going up or down stairs, standing on one leg, for example, while getting dressed, turning over in bed, when you get out of a car.
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Treatment for SPD
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Try to keep active, while avoiding anything that make the pain worse
Rest when you can
Wear supportive shoes
Spread your weight equally while standing
Sit down when getting dressed or undressed
Put a pillow between your legs for extra support in bed
Keep your knees together when getting in and out of the car
Avoid sitting or standing for long periods, going up and down stairs too often, lifting heavy objects.
Find out more about pelvic girdle pain and pregnancy on the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) website
