Pregnancy difficulties don’t end with delivery. Even after giving birth, mothers continue to face many physical, mental and emotional challenges. One of them is tailbone pain (coccydynia). The tailbone, also known as the coccyx, is the lowest part of the spine and supports your weight when you’re sitting. Tailbone pain is common during pregnancy as your belly expands, your posture changes and puts undue pressure on your lower back, especially your tailbone. But mothers can continue to face this issue even after giving birth. We spoke to experts to understand the issue better.
Read more: Exercises to relieve back pain during pregnancy
What causes tailbone pain after childbirth?
Dr N Sapna Lulla, chief consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, says, “Coccygeal pain, commonly known as tailbone pain, can be due to a number of factors related to childbirth. One of the main causes is the physical trauma that can occur during labour, especially if the labour is prolonged or forceps are used. This can lead to inflammation and damage, causing immense discomfort. Moreover, hormonal changes during pregnancy loosen the ligaments around the tailbone, making it more susceptible to injury.”
Other contributing factors include the position of the baby during birth, which may put too much pressure on the tailbone, and any pre-existing medical conditions that may be exacerbated by the physical strain of childbirth.
Overall, tailbone pain is five times more common in women than men, according to StatPearls Publishing. The study also suggests that obesity may be a risk factor.
How to distinguish between normal postpartum coccyx pain and tailbone pain
General discomfort during the postpartum period is normal and sometimes goes away on its own, but it’s important to distinguish it from tailbone pain.
“Postpartum discomfort can manifest itself in many different ways, such as pain associated with childbirth, muscle tension and general fatigue – all of which are common symptoms as your body adapts to the changes that occur after giving birth. Tailbone pain, on the other hand, usually manifests as a localized pain that worsens when sitting or standing for long periods of time or when performing certain movements”, highlights Dr. Lula.
It’s important for new mothers to understand these differences in order to seek appropriate care and effectively manage their recovery, she added.
How to relieve tailbone pain at home
There are many effective exercises and home remedies that can help relieve pain. These include:
Light stretching exercises such as pelvic tilt and seated forward bending
When sitting, use a specially designed tailbone cushion or pillow.
Take a warm bath with Epsom salts
Apply ice continuously
It incorporates gentle yoga poses that focus on the hips and lower back.
It is important for mothers to be careful when exercising, and they should see a doctor if the pain lasts for more than a few weeks, gets worse over time, or is accompanied by other worrying symptoms such as fever, difficulty sitting, or pain that radiates down the legs.
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lastly
“During pregnancy and birth, it’s important to consider various preventative strategies to minimize the chances of developing coccyx pain,” says Dr. Lula.
She says pregnant women can benefit from maintaining good sitting posture, using a supportive cushion, and avoiding prolonged sitting on hard surfaces. Additionally, exercises such as strength training and stretching can help improve overall pelvic health, the doctor concludes.
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