Adaptation to a changed body. Experiences of living with long-term pelvic girdle pain after childbirth. Issue 25 (4th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gutke, Annelie; Bullington, Jennifer; Lund, Madeleine; Lundberg, Mari
• Is Part Of: Disability and rehabilitation. Volume 40:Issue 25(2018)
• Page Start: 3054
• Page End: 3060
• Publication Date: 2018-12-04
• Subjects: Chronic pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain -- interview -- functioning -- follow-up -- identity; People with disabilities -- Periodicals; Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; 617.03
• DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2017.1368724
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0963-8288

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: To explore how women experience living with long-term pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain. Materials and methods: Nine women with persistent pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain of 2–13 years were recruited by means of purposive sampling from long-term follow-up studies. The women were 28–42 years of age and had given birth to 2–3 children. Audio-taped in-depth interview with open-ended questions were used with the guiding question ' How do you experience living with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain?' . The Empirical Phenomenological Psychological method was chosen for analysis. Results: The pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain syndrome has a profound impact on everyday life for many years after pregnancy. Three constituents were identified as central to the experience of living with pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain: (1) the importance of the body for identity, (2) the understanding of pain, and (3) stages of change. The manner in which the women experienced their pain was interpreted in terms of two typologies: the ongoing struggle against the pain, and adaptation and acceptance . Conclusion: The participants' narratives highlighted that the pain led to severe functional limitations that threatened their capability to perform meaningful daily activities, and interfered with their sense of identity. It appears essential to meet with each patient individually and to manage long-term pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain as a pain syndrome. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Chronic pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain impairs women's capacity to perform meaningful activities of daily life for many years after pregnancy. The participants' narratives highlighted that the pain interfered with their sense of identity. It appears essential to meet with each patient individually and to manage long-term pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain as a pain syndrome.