Backache after pregnancy.....

[akc74]

Prompted by an earlier thread about back pain during pregnancy, I felt compelled to see if anyone has any pearls of wisdom for me, 8 months after giving birth! I had a C-section just over 2 weeks after my due date after 5 days of failed inductions, and the baby was 9lbs 1. He's grown well so remains particularly heavy...

So, the combination of no stomach muscles and continuous lifting (particularly in and out of cot, bath and car) just means my back has never really recovered. Now that we are starting to go to playgroups where inevitably it involves sitting on the floor, this doesn't help!

I do pilates once (sometimes twice) a week, swim once a week, and I see an osteo about once a month. These keep me moving but don't seem to be enough. What would a GP suggest - physio? I should probably do pilates every day at home and then I'd probably start to see the necessary improvements in abdominal strength?! It may just be worse this week as I was away last week, so didn't do my usual modest quota of exercise.

I thought I'd post in case anyone has any similar experiences and any encouragement that it will eventually get better. I know it's early days but the thought of being pregnant again and having a 2nd child is very daunting! (approaching late 30s though so can't leave it indefinitely...!)

Thanks.

[Fuschia]

I had physio after the birth of DS1. It did sort the problem out (loose ligaments and bad position breastfeeding)

[catjo13]

I have had a dodgy back on and off for years. Just had no 2 (4 months ago) and I got to the point afterwards where I couldn't straighten myself up after sitting down without real pain and felt like an old lady. I have started doing vibration training, for exercise and it has had an incredible effect on my back without me even doing it for that reason. I think it is partly because it is making my core muscles stronger, but I also think it must be something to do with the vibrations. I have been going to High Vibe on Melbourne Grove, which is only for vibration training, but I think quite a few gyms have powerplate things these days.

[The Nappy Lady]

I suffered from very bad back ache after the birth of my first, and realised that having a changing mat on the floor was really adding to the problem. Once I changed to a changing table it helped massively - used it from day 1 with our second and really didn't have any problems at all, so I'm pretty sure it was that, combined with getting relaxed/into correct position for breastfeeding first time around that caused most of my problems.

I think your issues are probably not linked, but thought I'd post as possibly useful for others reading this thread.

[Ruth_Baldock]

I feel for you! I also had a c-section, which I am sure adds to the problem but must point out that awful backache isn't univeral; I do have a spinal condition so expected some of this to be honest. Post baby, pre-second pregnancy, I did have some physio which helped and I also changed my posture- when breastfeeding and pushing Baby's pram in particular. I was also bending to pick up Cheeky S in the wrong way, and I know thinking about the 'right way' of doing it is a bit of a moot point when you're scrambling to attend to a baby crawling into a hazard (mine liked crawling towards hot cups of tea- now he runs towards them saying MINE MINE MIIIINE).

I'm afraid for now, lugging Huge Bump around I'll have to seek 'quick fixes', but I know better now in terms of posture and excerices for when she arrives.