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Tailbone pain after giving birth can last for several weeks to months. The causes can vary, but many people associate it with the birthing process, Mother.
Please note, the tailbone or coccyx is an area in the pelvis or ring of bones at the bottom of the spine. The coccyx can be painful due to joint changes and during childbirth.
“Coccyx pain is pain in or around the bony structures at the bottom of the spine,” said assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation, Margaret Moutvic, MD, quoted from the Mayo Clinic.
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“Coccyx pain can be caused by injury to the tailbone when falling. It can also be the result of sitting for a long time on a hard or narrow surface. Other causes include joint changes due to arthritis or during childbirth,” he continued.
Painful coccyx will usually go away on its own in a few weeks or months. However, this condition can also never improve or become chronic, Mother.
Causes of tailbone pain after giving birth
There are 2 causes of tailbone pain after giving birth. The following is the explanation as reported on the Baby Center page:
1. Loose ligaments during pregnancy
During pregnancy, your body will release the hormone relaxin to relax the pelvic ligaments and provide space for the baby to descend into the birth canal during the birthing process. Well, these looser ligaments can cause the pelvic floor muscles to become tighter.
“Because the pelvic floor muscles attach to the tailbone, that's where women may feel pain,” said obstetrics and gynecology specialist, Layan Alrahmani, MD
2. Broken tailbone during delivery
Hormones released during late pregnancy make your tailbone more flexible. The ligaments that attach to the tailbone also become more flexible towards the end of pregnancy.
Well, this flexible ligament will twist or stretch more easily during childbirth. At the same time, the pressure of the baby's head as it passes through the birth canal can cause the tailbone to become bruised, or even break it.
“Tailbone fractures are not a common condition, but some women can hear a crack or popping sound when their tailbone breaks during childbirth,” said Alrahmani.
“Women are more likely to experience tailbone injuries when giving birth to babies who are large or in a posterior position.”
Injury or fracture of the tailbone can cause symptoms of pain that get worse when you stand or sit for a long time, painful straining when defecating, and pain during intercourse.
Illustration of a painful tailbone after giving birth/ Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto/
How to deal with tailbone pain after giving birth
A sore tailbone after giving birth can make mothers uncomfortable carrying out childcare activities. Not only that. This complaint can also cause difficulty sleeping.
Pain in the tailbone can go away on its own in a few weeks. However, you can do several things to overcome discomfort, reduce pain, or speed up healing.
Quoting from several sources, here are 5 ways to deal with tailbone pain after giving birth:
1. Rest and reduce strenuous activity
Resting or not doing strenuous activities is the most important thing to do to reduce pain. Even though mothers are required to care for the baby, it is best to avoid doing certain activities, such as walking for long periods or holding the baby for too long.
Try to rest the body, especially the painful area to reduce pressure. Ask your father or another family member to share the task of looking after your little one while you rest.
2. Cold compress and warm shower
Mothers can compress the painful area with an ice pack for 20 to 30 minutes. The goal is to reduce pain and swelling in the area.
After compressing, take a break to take a warm shower. A warm bath can also relieve pain by relaxing the pelvic floor muscles.
3. Take anti-inflammatory drugs
Using anti-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory drugs can also relieve pain in the tailbone after giving birth. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can be used to reduce swelling and pain.
Before taking medication, you should first consult a doctor. Make sure the medication you are taking is safe or does not affect breast milk production.
4. Consume fiber and meet your fluid needs
The tailbone can become more painful if you are constipated. To prevent this, try consuming foods containing fiber and meeting your fluid needs.
“Constipation can be very painful if the tailbone is bruised. Drinking more fluids, eating lots of fiber, and using stool softeners, if needed, can make defecation more comfortable,” said Alrahmani.
5. Stretching exercises
Stretching or stretching exercises can sometimes help reduce pain in the tailbone. There are several stretching movements that you can do every day, Mother.
So, to do these stretching exercises, you should get help from a professional physical therapist. They can show you how to stretch properly, so the injury doesn't get worse.
How long does it take for a sore tailbone to heal?
A sore tailbone due to bruising will usually heal on its own in about four weeks. However, in cases of broken bones, the healing period can be longer, taking up to eight weeks. Even though you have recovered, you may still feel pain due to muscle tension or inflammation of the ligaments around the tailbone.
If you feel severe pain after a few weeks, you need to consult a doctor. Some people need extra help from corticosteroid injections or nerve blocks to treat complaints.
Apart from that, surgery can also be performed to remove part or all of the tailbone. This action can only be done if other treatments have not succeeded in treating the complaint for several months. You should also know that surgery is not always successful and carries a risk of complications.
That's how to deal with tailbone pain after giving birth. Hopefully this information is useful, Mother.
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(ank/rap)