Charley Webb, 31, who’s played Debbie Dingle on ITV’s Emmerdale since 2002, has recently revealed during her pregnancy she’s been suffering with morning sickness and a condition called symphysis pubis dysfunction (also known as pelvic girdle pain). The condition causes a collection of uncomfortable symptoms, triggered by a stiffness of the pelvic joints or the joints at the back of front of the pelvis moving unevenly. The mum to Buster, nine, and Bowie, three, told OK! magazine: “I still get waves of sickness but I’ve also been diagnosed with SPD. It’s when your muscles have relaxed too much ready for the birth.
“It’s agony.”
Charley also divulged while she thinks pregnancy is wonderful, the condition has tainted her experience.
She added: “I’d be lying if I said I really enjoy the experience of getting bigger.
“But I appreciate what my body is doing. I think pregnancy is amazing.”
Charley and Matthew announced they were expecting their third child in February this year.
They made the announcement sharing a picture of the couple with their children on a family walk in the woods.
They captioned the image: “#Number3.”
Symptoms of symphysis pubis dysfunction
The condition isn’t harmful to the baby but can make getting around hard and painful.
Women may experience the following symptoms, according to the NHS:
- Pain over the pubic bone at the front in the centre, roughly level with your hips
- Pain across one or both sides of your lower back
- Pain in the area between your vagina and anus
- Pain spreading to your thighs
Some women may feel or hear a clicking or grinding in the pelvic area.
Pain may be worse when you’re:
- Walking
- Going up or down stairs
- Standing on one leg (for example, when you’re getting dressed)
- Moving your legs apart (for example, when you get out of a car)
The health body warns you should call your midwife or GP if you have pelvic pain and:
- It’s hard for you to move around
- It hurts to get out of a car or turn over in bed
- It’s painful going up or down stairs
Your GP or a physiotherapist will recommend the best way to ease pain. This may include pelvic floor exercises, exercises in water or a pelvic support belt.
Charley’s husband Matthew has also spoken publicly about his health in the past.
