MYSTERY surrounds a condition dubbed "The Worcester Disease" which is leaving expectant mothers in excruciating pain during pregnancy.

According to some midwives, up to one in 32 mums-to-be are being disabled by Symphosis Pubic Dysfunction, a softening of the pelvic bone.

The condition not only gives mothers in agonising pain, but it can leave them bed-ridden during pregnancy.

New mum Helen Crump was stricken with SPD for most of her pregnancy, and now fears it could be a year before she is fit and healthy again.

Mrs Crump, of Bransford Road, St John's, is now recovering after the birth of her daughter, Jodie, by caesarean section, and is waiting for her bones to knit back together.

"For the last seven months of my pregnancy I was crippled by SPD, which felt like raging tooth ache down below," said the 31-year-old clerk.

"Every time I walked I felt like my bones were going to crack and if I went out had to use a wheelchair.

"Although I suffered for the last three months with my first daughter, Tara, it was so much worse the second time."

She added her midwife said SPD was becoming known as The Worcester Disease. The midwife claimed about one in 32 pregnant women in the county suffer from it.

"It has got so bad a clerical officer at Worcestershire Royal Hospital told me she thought the county was full of crippled women. They were always turning up for physio in wheelchairs or on crutches," she added.

Melanie Hall, who is expecting her first child next month, is also a victim of the condition which forced her to leave work early.

"I was told the condition was becoming more and more widespread," she said. "It is becoming so common, a national support group has been set up for sufferers."

Janet Ferguson, spokeswoman for Worcestershire Health Authority, said there were no statistics to show this condition was any worse in this area compared to other parts of the country.

Dr Charles Ashton, medical director for the trust, said: "We suspect that the increase of incidents in Worcestershire is to do with better diagnosis, which in turn resulted in a raised awareness."

- Have you suffered from SPD? If so, contact the Worcester Evening News on 01905 748200.