Postpartum back pain: How to relieve pain?

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1. What causes my back pain after giving birth?

During pregnancy, there are many physical changes that can cause low back pain that can contribute to back pain during and after delivery.
For example, during pregnancy, your uterus has to increase in size, stretch and weaken the abdominal muscles and change position, causing strain on the back muscles. Weight gain during pregnancy (and post-pregnancy) not only adds mass that makes your muscles work harder, it also puts extra strain on your joints. Plus, hormonal changes can loosen your joints and ligaments. Unfortunately, all of these changes won't go away as soon as you give birth.
Also, during delivery you may have used muscles that you don't normally use, so you may feel the effects of childbirth for a while, especially if you have a transition. prolonged labor or difficulty in labor .
Other factors take place in the postpartum period. Many new moms unwittingly make their back problems worse by not practicing correct posture while breastfeeding. And the burnout and stress of caring for a newborn 24/7 can also make it difficult to recover from all the aches and pains of childbirth, including back pain.
Back pain symptoms usually improve within a few months of giving birth, although some women will continue to have pain for longer.

If you had back pain before or during pregnancy, you're more likely to experience back pain that lasts longer after pregnancy, especially if back pain is severe or started relatively early in pregnancy. Being overweight also increases your risk of chronic back pain.

2. What can I do to treat postpartum back pain?

Ideally, you should let your doctor know about your postpartum back pain as soon as possible. Your doctor will recommend appropriate self-care measures for you to try first and assess your situation if you need further treatment. Common home remedies for back pain include:
Gentle exercise
When your back hurts, walking around the house may be something you try to do, but it can be what your body needs.
First choose a gentle form of exercise, such as walking. As long as you go slow and take short walks for the first few weeks, walking is a safe exercise to start almost immediately after a vaginal or cesarean birth.
When your doctor says walking is okay, you should make pelvic tilts a part of your daily routine. You can also start gradually doing exercises aimed at strengthening your back and abdominal muscles. Try gentle stretching exercises or yoga, keeping in mind that you only need to do yoga to avoid overstretching or extreme poses. And always listen to your body. If a body position or activity/exercise causes discomfort, stop immediately.

Correct posture
Keep these tips in mind while doing activities throughout the day:
Stand and sit with your back straight. Pay attention to your body position when feeding your baby, no matter what you are feeding. breast-feeding or bottle-feeding. Choose a comfortable chair with armrests, and use plenty of pillows to place behind your back and arms. If you're breastfeeding, consider buying a nursing pillow that sits around you. Also, try using your legs to keep your feet slightly off the floor. Learn to position yourself properly while breastfeeding and always keep your baby's face facing your breast. In addition, mothers can also breastfeed in different positions. If you have shoulder pain and upper back pain, the side position may be most comfortable. Always get on your knees and pick up objects or pick up your baby from a lower position, to reduce pressure on your back. Let someone else carry heavy objects, especially if you had a cesarean section. Take care of yourself
Reducing pain, stress and taking regular good care of yourself can help you deal with back pain. At the very least, it can help you feel better temporarily.
Soak in a warm bath. Use a hot pack or a cold pack on the painful area. Note that you should use an extra towel to cover the area to be applied to protect your skin. Massage to relax muscles, tight shoulders and low back pain. Learn relaxation techniques. These techniques can help you deal with discomfort and can be especially helpful at bedtime.

Other remedies you may also want to consider:
Take ibuprofen or acetaminophen . You should not take more than is recommended and talk to your doctor if you find you need to take more than usual or if it is not working. Physical therapy: A physical therapist can teach you exercises to reduce or prevent low back pain. Alternative treatments, such as acupuncture or chiropractic care. There is some evidence that these therapies can help relieve pain.

3. Danger signs

Contact your doctor or seek medical attention immediately if you have:
Severe, persistent or worsening back pain. Back pain caused by trauma or accompanied by fever. You lose sensation in one or both legs or you suddenly feel uncoordinated or feel weak in your muscles. You lose feeling in your buttocks, groin, or genital area (including your bladder or anus). This can make it difficult to urinate or defecate or cause incontinence.

After 9 months and 10 days of heavy weight, pregnant women go into labor and face a level of labor pain comparable to 20 broken ribs at the same time. In order for the birth to go smoothly and safely, pregnant women need to understand: - How the labor process takes place, how long does it usually take to have a normal delivery or cesarean section, to protect the best health? for the unborn baby.
Methods to relieve pain during childbirth, limit pain and relieve psychological pressure during labor. The way to push and breathe during childbirth is usually the right way so that the labor takes place quickly, the pregnant woman does not lose strength during childbirth. How to control postpartum uterine contractions in the shortest time. How to take care of the perineal suture does not cause infection and dangerous complications. Early postpartum re-examination to detect dangerous abnormalities such as residual placenta, missing gauze. Take care of the newborn until full month healthy. To ease the pain of childbirth, Vinmec offers a full Maternity program with a complete "painless delivery" service during and after birth using non-morphine epidural and sedation techniques. ashamed. During the birth process, the mother will be guided by the midwives on how to push and breathe properly, the baby will be born in just 10-15 minutes. After birth, the baby will be cared for in a sterile room before being returned to the mother.
Pregnant women will rest in a high-class hospital room, designed according to international hotel standards, 1 mother 1 room with full facilities and modern equipment. Mothers will be consulted by nutritionists on how to feed the baby before being discharged from the hospital. Postpartum follow-up with both mother and baby with leading Obstetricians and Pediatricians.
If you have a need for medical examination at Vimec Health System nationwide, please make an appointment on the website to be served.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: babycenter.com