Pregnancy with pelvic pain: Should I give birth naturally or by cesarean?

This is an automatically translated article.

Lumbar pelvic pain during pregnancy is a problem many pregnant women encounter at all stages of pregnancy, representing instability of the joints and pelvic bones. This condition often causes dull pain during activity or rest, radiating from the pelvis to the upper thighs and genitals.

1. Symptoms of pelvic pain during pregnancy

The pelvis is an important part of a woman's body. This area contains a system of ligaments and muscles that help maintain stability and transfer weight from the upper body to the lower body.
Pelvic pain or back pain during pregnancy usually occurs around the last 3 months of pregnancy. Typical symptoms of pelvic pain are low back pain, dull low back pain, spreading from the pelvis down to the groin, thighs, uterus.... Depending on the location, each person will have different symptoms. The pain level is different, the pain will increase when the pregnant woman is active or changes her sleeping position.
Lumbar pelvic pain during pregnancy can also be accompanied by bladder dysfunction, especially when the pregnant woman changes position suddenly. In many cases, a sound can also be heard in the pelvis when walking or moving slightly.

2. Causes of pelvic pain during pregnancy

Until now, the cause of low back pain during pregnancy is not clear. However, certain factors may increase the risk of pelvic pain including:
Pregnant women with a history of pelvic or lower back pain. Pregnant women who have had previous pelvic trauma;

Because the pregnant woman's occupation involves strenuous physical activity; Multiple births; The baby is too big. In addition, some studies have shown that low back pain or pelvic pain during pregnancy may be related to some changes in the positions of organs in the body during pregnancy; or it may be due to estrogen in the pregnant woman's body affecting the connective tissues and fibrocartilage tissues during pregnancy; Vitamin D and calcium deficiencies are also likely to cause pelvic pain.

3. Having pelvic pain should give birth vaginally or by caesarean section?

There are about 50% cases of pregnant women with back pain during pregnancy, the pain is usually located in the waist or pelvic joints. According to a study by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, the group of women with a history of low back pain during pregnancy, if they had a cesarean section, were more likely to continue to have persistent pain after giving birth than women who had a vaginal delivery.
The pain in the lower back and pelvis makes pregnant women feel tired, uncomfortable and afraid to give birth naturally because they think the pain will make the birth process difficult. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this yet.
To better understand the pain in the lower back and pelvis after cesarean section, a follow-up study of more than 10,000 women in Norway showed that the majority of pain usually occurs from 30 weeks of pregnancy. period and the rate of postpartum pelvic pain in cesarean section is 3 times higher than in vaginal delivery. On the other hand, when having pelvic low back pain, if you have a cesarean section, it will increase the risk of not recovering. Therefore, except in cases where a cesarean section is required, vaginal delivery is always the safest option for women with low back pain during pregnancy.

4. What to do when you have low back pain during and after giving birth?

During pregnancy, if you have lower back pain, you should take time to rest more. If your job requires you to sit a lot, you should sit with your back; Limit walking, working or lifting heavy objects. When you see unusual symptoms accompanied by pain, you need to go to a medical facility for examination and advice.
In addition, pregnant women also need to pay attention to their daily diet to ensure adequate nutrition for the body and fetus, especially calcium supplements in the last months of pregnancy and should not stay up late. .
Pregnant women should absolutely not self-medicate to treat back pain during pregnancy because the side effects of the drug can affect the comprehensive development of the fetus.

In case the woman still has back pain after giving birth, some of the following treatment measures can be applied:
Adequate nutrition: A nutritious diet with healthy foods, a balance of nutrients, and healthy foods. The substance will help reduce back pain effectively, in addition, the mother can eat more dishes to help replenish blood and restore health; Work and rest properly: After giving birth, the pregnant woman's body has not yet recovered, so she should only exercise gently so that her body can adapt gradually. Walking gently to help blood circulation is also an effective way to reduce back pain; Rehabilitation exercise: Gentle exercises can help the body quickly recover and effectively reduce back pain; Back massage: Gentle massage will help reduce stagnation and blood circulation, help pregnant women relax and dispel fatigue. To solve common problems during pregnancy in the most effective way without affecting the natural development of the fetus, it is best for pregnant women to register for a comprehensive maternity care package through each stage. pregnancy period. Vinmec International General Hospital has implemented the Maternity Care Program with the aim of accompanying pregnant mothers for the safest, healthiest and most favorable pregnancy.
The program includes the following service packages:
Maternity care program 2019 – 12 weeks Maternity care program 2019 – 27 weeks Maternity care program 2019 – 36 weeks Maternity care program 2019 – Transfer Da Vinmec's genetic screening service before embryo transfer brings outstanding excellence in medical qualifications - who have the leading expertise and reputation in the field of obstetrics and gynecology; system of modern facilities to optimally support examination and screening techniques; civilized, luxurious medical examination space and professional services. All these advantages have helped Vinmec always be highly appreciated by experts for maternity care, as the first choice of pregnant women.

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