One happy birthday for the Simos family

One happy birthday for the Simos family

Mater Mothers’ Hospital mum Danae Simos has celebrated the birth of baby Elena on 21 February 2018 – the same day as her two older brothers born in 2012 and 2014.

Despite all three babies born by caesarean, the choice of dates were completely out of Danae’s hands as she suffered severe symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) during each pregnancy, which got progressively worse with each pregnancy.

Pain in the region of the Symphyis Pubis, where the two pelvic bones meet at the front of the pelvis, is relatively common during pregnancy, but the extent to which it affects expectant and new mums varies greatly. 

Mater Mothers’ Hospitals physiotherapist Anne Walker explains that a combination of pregnancy hormones and a changes to a mum’s body shape and movement can  mean that the joints of the pelvis may become vulnerable to the normal stresses and  strains of everyday life

“Each person is affected differently. Symptoms can range from mild discomfort to excruciating pain and difficulty walking in severe cases” Anne said.

 “It can be a very distressing condition that is difficult to manage. Fortunately  for most people, the pain reduces dramatically after the baby is born and mum’s body can begin to recover," she said.

Physiotherapists assist mums during and after pregnancy, by providing advice on how to make moving and sleeping as comfortable as possible. Gentle exercises, including pelvic floor exercise  can help, and support garments also provide relief for most mums.  

Danae’s baby girl was due on 9 March 2018, however from late November 2017, her pain was so severe, and she needed to stop work.

“I really needed help. I was fitted with a brace and crutches which worked for a little while then I needed to take pain killers,” Danae said.

“They worked for a little while but in January I needed to increase the dose but by February, the medication wasn’t working anymore and I didn’t want to increase them anymore.

“All the way along I tried everything I could–physiotherapy, aquatherapy, massages and it got to the point where I was in so much pain I couldn’t do anything–I was just bed ridden,” she said.

One evening, Danae was in so much pain her husband brought her to the Mater Mothers’ Pregnancy Assessment Centre (PAC).

“I asked if there was anything else we could try or do but at that point they decided to deliver her early,” Danae said.

Danae’s planned delivery date was 28 February and they tried to book it in on Friday 23 February but there was no availability.

“They said they would have to wait about a week otherwise the only option was 21 February!” she said.

“I was so shocked – two babies on the same day, sure ok that’s sweet, but three?

“There was no way I was physically able to wait longer so I had to take it,” Danae said.

At least remembering birthdays will be easy to do in Danae’s family!

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Mater Babies
This Year
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This Month
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= two + nine

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For urgent assessment at any stage of your pregnancy, please present to your nearest emergency centre or Mater Mothers’ 24/7 Pregnancy Assessment Centre in South Brisbane.

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