Tailbone pain after childbirth
definition
After giving birth, the extreme stress on the body can lead to pain in various places. This often includes the tailbone, as many of the muscles of the pelvic floor are attached here, which are very stressed during childbirth. Bruises, dislocations, or sometimes even fractures of the tailbone can occur. This causes severe pain after the birth, which, for example, makes sitting difficult and can be very restrictive. An osteopath or an orthopedic surgeon should therefore be consulted in the event of tailbone pain after birth.
causes
Pain in the tailbone can already occur during birth. These are caused by the heavy load that can cause bruises, dislocations or, in some cases, even a fracture on the tailbone. Responsible for this is the pelvic floor, which can be imagined as a kind of plate made up of muscles, tendons and ligaments in the lower area of the pelvis. Much of these structures are attached to the back of the tailbone. During birth, the baby pushes through the mother's pelvis, creating a strong pull on the muscles. The extreme stress results in more frequent bruises in the tailbone area, which can be very painful after the birth. The ligaments of the pelvic floor can also be overstretched and lead to severe pain. The pull on the tailbone can also be increased by spreading the legs. The supine position as a birthing position also increases the stress on the rump.
Please also read our topics: Coccyx contusion and Tailbone fracture
Occasionally, misalignments that exist before birth are also causative factors. If these caused little or no pain prior to pregnancy, they often go unnoticed. Bad posture can also occur during pregnancy, as the body's center of gravity shifts as the abdomen increases. The position of the child in the pelvis can also influence the tailbone pain, as, for example, a stargazer, i.e. a child who is born facing the sky, puts more strain on the pelvis.
Symptoms
The symptoms of the tailbone after childbirth are mainly noticeable in the pain and difficulty in sitting. The pain is often felt late because, especially after the first birth, it is assumed that the pain is "normal" after this exertion. The symptoms will become more noticeable after a while if they don't get better. In addition, there is often the restriction when sitting. This is because the pain in many mothers is so severe that the sitting position is too irritating to the sore tailbone. This is often also expressed in the fact that it is no longer possible to sit for a long time. Depending on the severity of the pain, this can sometimes be relieved by using upholstery or seat cushions.
Depending on whether there is a bruise, dislocation or even a fracture, the pain varies in severity. In extreme cases, a fracture can also lead to visible signs such as bone splinters or a loud crack. In such cases, a doctor should always be consulted immediately.
diagnosis
In the case of tailbone pain after the birth, if it persists for several weeks after the birth and does not show any improvement, a doctor should be consulted. The anamnesis, i.e. the doctor-patient conversation, and the examination of the painful area play an important role. In addition, the focus is on finding the cause. Therefore, if there is evidence of a fracture of the tailbone, an X-ray should be taken so that the bones can be assessed.
What helps against tailbone pain after childbirth?
There are several ways to treat tailbone pain after childbirth. If one method does not provide sufficient improvement, you can try another or combine both options.
Certainly the simplest treatment option is a so-called seat ring, which allows you to sit which is very relieving for the coccyx. There are also various lap belts that relieve stress on the tailbone. For this, a specialist shop should be visited to find the right option. Physiotherapy can also be very helpful. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, massages or exercises can be performed. In most cases, the latter are also important in terms of strengthening the stressed muscles. In addition, during physiotherapy, any incorrect posture can be corrected through exercises, which can also be relevant to avoid pain in view of a possible next pregnancy. Electrotherapy, also known as TENS, helps stimulate any damaged nerves using small electrodes that are attached to the coccyx area.
If the pain is severe, pain relievers such as Ibuprofen, be taken. If the pain already exists during pregnancy, it must be clarified beforehand which medication is suitable.
For more information on pain relievers, see: Painkillers while breastfeeding and under Pain relievers during pregnancy
Read more about the therapy of tailbone pain at: Treatment of tailbone pain
Osteopathy
Another way to treat tailbone pain after childbirth is osteopathy. It is particularly suitable if the birth has resulted in a dislocation of the tailbone. This is an incorrect position of the tailbone, which causes pain and prevents the joint between the tailbone and the sacrum above it from working properly. This is where the concept of osteopathy comes into play, which states that the body can heal itself if all parts of the body are mobile.
The osteopathic treatment is done anally by hand. A finger (with a special glove) is inserted through the anus, so that the tailbone can be easily grasped. The right position for the coccyx is found through various bearings and positions, which allows the tissue to relax. Although this treatment is somewhat uncomfortable, it is usually painless and usually very successful. There have been many reports of pain disappearing after a treatment session.
Read more interesting information on the topic at: Osteopathy
Duration of pain
After birth, tailbone pain can last different lengths of time depending on the cause. If the symptoms are caused by a bruise or a bruise, they usually go away after a few days to weeks. When a ligament is pulled, the pain can last for several weeks. A dislocation of the coccyx is often resolved painlessly after a session with an osteopath. If there is a fracture of the coccyx, it must be treated conservatively by restraint or, if necessary, surgically, depending on the severity of the fracture. This often results in the pain persisting for a few months.
Tailbone pain during childbirth
Often, tailbone pain does not only exist after birth, but rather during birth. The process of childbirth places a great deal of stress on the structures of bones, muscles and ligaments. Particularly in the supine position with legs apart, the tailbone is put under very strong tension. The baby's head presses against the pelvic floor, the muscles and ligaments of which are mostly attached to the coccyx. In some cases there are malpositions, which can be caused by a previous fall, for example, but have never been diagnosed as such. During pregnancy, too, the shift in the body's center of gravity often leads to poor posture, which can also put a strain on the tailbone. First of all, of course, the position of the child in the pelvis is a risk factor to be considered.
Further interesting information on this topic can be found at: Tailbone pain during pregnancy
To prevent tailbone pain during childbirth, an osteopathic examination can be carried out beforehand, for example, in order to determine and correct any incorrect positions of the tailbone. So-called epidural or epidural anesthesia can also be performed. An anesthetic is injected into the outer lining of the spinal cord, also known as the epidural space, which numbs the lower part of the body from the hip during delivery.
