Symphysis pubis dysfunction in pregnancy-fact or fantasy?

Symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) has been recognized as an Obstetric condition since the time of Hippocrates. In spite of this long history, many medical staff remain unaware of the condition. Women continue to suffer from symphysis pubis pain with considerable reduction in quality of life during pregnancy. In recent years there has been an upsurge in the reported incidence of SPD partly due to gross previous under recognition. The increase in incidence has also been attributed to the sudden discovery of the SPD phenomenon by some women who have no symptoms but are generally fed up with being pregnant. The allegation has been that these women use SPD as a reason to request for induction of labour.