Pelvic pain after childbirth: what is it?
Pelvic pain can be described as a nagging, stabbing or burning pain in the lower back, hips, pubic bone or groin. This pain can be continuous or worsen with certain movements, such as walking, climbing stairs or sitting for long periods of time. It can affect daily functioning, and of course be extra troublesome when you have just had a baby
Image: the female pelvis
Causes of pelvic pain after childbirth
There are several causes that can cause pelvic pain after childbirth. Often there is also a confluence of causes and circumstances, but some of the most common causes are:
Hormone changes: during pregnancy, the body makes hormones, such as the relaxin hormone to, which help make the joints and ligaments more flexible to enable childbirth. After childbirth, it may take some time for the joints and ligaments to regain strength, which can cause instability and pain.
Pelvic instability: The softening of the ligaments can cause the pelvis to become less stable, which can cause pain symptoms. This is most common in women who already suffered from pelvic instability during pregnancy, but it can also occur after childbirth
Excessive load with wrong posture: after childbirth, mothers often adopt postures that put extra pressure on the pelvis, such as carrying the baby for long periods of time, breastfeeding in a sub-optimal position or asymmetrical movements such as leaning on one hip all the time.
Weakened pelvic floor muscles: The pelvic floor muscles can become overstretched during pregnancy and childbirth, causing them to function less well. This can cause pain in the pelvic area and also lead to other problems such as incontinence (loss of urine) and back pain.
Cesarean section or vaginal delivery trauma: a caesarean section or a heavy vaginal delivery can delay the recovery of pelvic structures. Scar tissue, overuse of muscles or misalignment of the pelvis can cause prolonged pain.
Symptoms of pelvic pain after childbirth
Exactly what symptoms you experience and how intense these symptoms are varies from woman to woman, but common symptoms of pelvic pain after childbirth are:
Pain in the pubic bone, lower back, hips or groin
Difficulty walking, climbing stairs or sitting for long periods of time
An unstable feeling in the pelvis
Pain that worsens with asymmetrical movements (such as standing on one leg)
Radiation pain to the legs
Stiffness in the morning or after sitting for a long time
If you suffer from pelvic pain after childbirth, it is wise to seek professional help.
How can a chiropractor help with pelvic pain after childbirth?
What can you do yourself to relieve pelvic pain after childbirth?
Besides the support of your chiropractor, there are also a number of things you can do yourself to reduce pelvic pain and promote recovery:
Watch your posture: ensure you have a straight back when lifting and feeding your baby.
Do light exercises: pelvic floor exercises and core-stability exercises can help strengthen the muscles in and around your pelvis. Note: Have you just given birth? Make sure you don't overdo abdominal exercises. A light stimulus is okay, but you want to wait at least six weeks before doing really heavier 'strength' exercises.
Avoid asymmetrical movements: try to distribute your weight evenly and avoid standing on one leg for long periods of time.
Use a heat pad: heat can help relax tense muscles in the pelvic area.
Take sufficient rest: your body needs time to recover after giving birth. This can be very difficult because your baby is obviously asking a lot of you, but remember: you can't take good care of your baby if you don't take good care of yourself first!
The Family Chiropractor - chiropractor for pelvic pain after childbirth
Pelvic pain after childbirth can have a big impact on your daily life, but fortunately chiropractic offers a safe and natural way to rebalance the pelvis and spine, strengthen muscles and relieve pain. By getting help early and paying attention to your posture and movements yourself, you can recover faster and regain optimal function. At The Family Chiropractor in Den Bosch we specialise in chiropractic care during pregnancy and postpartum recovery. Still have questions? Then don't hesitate to contact with us!
