Clinical Presentation and Management of Peripartum Pubic Diastasis

Symphysis pubis diastasis (SPD) is an uncommon peripartum complication which can have short-term morbidities secondary to pain and restricted movements as well as long-term complications. It is important to diagnose this condition as it causes significant discomfort to the nursing mothers. We present our experience in five patients with SPD who were managed successfully.

Present study is an observation of five cases of SPD managed in a single unit in a tertiary care center over three years from January 2017 to December 2019. All women with symptoms of SPD with inter-pubic distance of more than 10 mm were selected for the study. The demographic profile, clinical details, diagnostic imaging findings, and treatment provided for such patients were noted down from the individual case records. Follow-up of each patient for improvement in the symptoms and X-ray findings was available till 3 months for each case.

Mean age of the women with SPD was 29.8 ± 5.4 years. Four women had vaginal delivery and one had vacuum delivery. Average birth weight is 3.26 ± 0.85 kg. Mean duration of first stage of labor is 6.6 ± 0.89 h and median of second stage is 35 min. Average inter-pubic distance at the time of diagnosis on X-ray was 1.84 ± 0.2 cm. All women were managed conservatively with bed rest, analgesics, pelvic binder and physiotherapy. Improvement in the range of movement was noted over average of 21.8 ± 3.7 days and symptoms resolved over 14.4 ± 2.6 weeks.

Treating obstetrician should be aware of this condition as simple treatment measures can avoid the long-term morbidities and complications.