Which is short for Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction.

"The symptoms of SPD vary from person to person, but almost all women who have it experience substantial pubic pain.  Tenderness and pain down low in the front is common, but often this pain feels as if it's inside.  The pubic area is generally very tender to the touch; many moms find it painful when the doctor or midwife pushes down on the pubic bone while measuring the uterus (fundal height).  

Any activity that involves lifting one leg at a time or parting the legs tends to be particularly painful. Lifting the leg to put on clothes, getting out of a car, bending over, sitting down or getting up, walking up stairs, standing on one leg, lifting heavy objects, and walking in general tend to be difficult at times. Many women report that moving or turning over in bed is  especially excruciating.  One woman wrote, "There were days that I didn't think I was going to be able to get out of bed and actually had to roll out of bed and onto the floor to be able to do so!" 

Many movements become difficult when the pubic symphysis area is affected.  Although the greatest pain is associated with movements of lifting one leg or parting the legs, some women experience a 'freezing', where they get up out of bed and find it hard to get their bodies moving right away--the hip bone seems stuck in place and won't move at first.  Or they describe having to wait for it to 'pop into place' before being able to walk.  The range of hip movement is usually affected, and abduction of the hips especially painful."  

To summarize, SPD is the mild form of this problem.  Its symptoms often include one or more of the following:

• pubic pain
• pubic tenderness to the touch; having the fundal height measured may be uncomfortable
• lower back pain, especially in the sacro-iliac area
• difficulty/pain rolling over in bed
• difficulty/pain with stairs, getting in and out of cars, sitting down or getting up, putting on clothes, bending, lifting, standing on one foot, lifting heavy objects, etc.
• sciatica (pain in buttocks and down the leg)
• "clicking" in the pelvis when walking
• waddling gait
• difficulty getting started walking, especially after sleep
• feeling like hip is out of place or has to pop into place before walking
• bladder dysfunction (temporary incontinence at change in position)
• knee pain or pain in other areas can sometimes also be a side-effect of pelvis problems
• some chiropractors feel that round ligament pain (sharp tearing or pulling sensations in the abdomen) can be related to SPD

I asked for something to help me sleep cause with this I have not been sleeping at all.  Well God love my doc, she wrote me a script for Tylenol with Coedine!   I still had to swtich a ton from bed to chair and chair to bed, but at least I did get some sleep.  The nights I wait tables, I am in so much pain afterwards - I can not even describe.  This I think is the worst pain I have ever experienced, labor included and don't forget I was in labor with Sam for 26 hours.... So I do not say that lightly. 

Oh the joys of being a woman, lol.  Seriously tho, if I have to have pain, carrying a baby is sooooo worth it!