Spinal cancer is a type of cancer that causes an abnormal growth of tissues and cells within or around your spinal column. The spine contains many bundles of nerves, cells, and tissues that make communication…
While you’re left with a small miracle, giving birth takes quite a toll on your body. During the pregnancy process, your body experiences many changes. The weight of your child that you’re carrying can put massive amounts of strain on your back and spine. Plus, your joints and ligaments can loosen due to your fluctuating hormones and may cause more pain.
Even when you’re sleeping, the pressure your joints experience can put you in uncomfortable positions and even cause some injuries. After you’ve given birth, you’ll still need to stay active in caring for your baby. From soothing their cries to lifting them from their crib, all these activities affect your body and spine.
What Are Some Causes of Postpartum Back Pain?
Besides the pressure you experienced during pregnancy, you’ll also have to deal with its absence after you give birth. The strain could have caused some issues with your joints and spine while pregnant. Below are some common causes of postpartum back pain:
Joint Instability and Loss of Muscle Tone
During pregnancy, hormones like relaxin, estrogen, and progesterone fluctuate and relax the joints. After giving birth, these hormone levels change again, and it takes a few weeks for the joints to stabilize, causing fatigue and pain.
Sacral Stress Fracture
A sacral stress fracture is where the fused vertebrae of the sacral spine may suffer from a fracture during childbirth. This injury can cause severe pain and make it difficult to sit because of rear pelvic region pain.
Diastasis Recti
When a person experiences pregnancy, their uterus expands to accommodate the growing fetus. This causes the abdominal muscles to stretch substantially and result in loss of muscle tone, which can lead to separation of the rectus abdominis muscle. Diastasis recti can risk postural stability, lower back and pelvic pain, and have urinary dysfunction.
The changes that you experience during and after pregnancy contribute to many back and spine injuries. If you believe you or someone you know is suffering from any of these, contact your primary care physician immediately.
Ways to Relieve Your Postpartum Back Pain
The birthing process is stressful for your body and mind but coming out with a beautiful baby is a wonderful experience. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t feel the after-effects of the strenuous event. Here are some great ways to alleviate some of your minor symptoms:
- Implement daily walks
- Adjust your sleep position
- Take warm water baths
- Drink plenty of water
- Hold your baby in proper positions
If you’re suffering from minor pain and aches, using these tips can take some of the pressure off your joints and help you get back to feeling happy and healthy in your body.
When Should You Seek Help from a Doctor?
While aches and pains are normal after going through childbirth, no one knows your body better than you, and if you’re suffering from persistent pain or some of the symptoms below, contact a medical care professional as soon as possible.
- Persistent or chronic pain
- Fever or nausea
- Numbness or loss of feeling in arms or legs
- Having difficulty with bowel movements
When you’re suffering from any of the above symptoms paired with back pain, it could be signs of more severe issues. While there are great non-surgical options, if severe pain is causing you extreme symptoms, you should consider surgical options for recovery.
Trust Orthopedic & Laser Spine Surgeons for Your Back and Spine Pain
Childbirth comes with many changes, but our team of award-winning neurologists, neurosurgeons, orthopedic specialists, and physicians are motivated to make sure you’re happy and healthy. The more confident in your body and spine you are, the more memories you’ll be able to make with your new addition to the family. At Orthopedic & Laser Spine Surgeons, our medical experts use innovative research and state-of-the-art technology to offer treatment plans tailored specifically to your needs.
If you’re experiencing severe back pain after giving birth, call (855) 853-6542 or fill out our online contact form for information on how we’re able to help you.