Maryana was over-the-moon to be a mom for the first time when she learned she was pregnant in May 2022. Energetic and lively, Maryana was taken by surprise when she began experiencing difficulties halfway into her pregnancy.
At 16 weeks, the 32-year-old tech sales executive from Marin was diagnosed with severe symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD), which refers to pain caused by pubic symphysis separation – the loosening of the joint between the left and right pelvic bones that occurs during pregnancy to allow the pelvic bones to widen during birth. Due to the pressure of her growing baby weighing on her pelvis, Maryana was in pain, the kind of pain that prevented her from walking up and down stairs. At 30 weeks, she was basically confined to her bed.
Maryana counted down the days until her due date. She believed everything would be better, once her baby was safely delivered….
