Hi,
I delivered my son over 7 months ago and my tailbone is still hurting. I may have broken it when I delivered. I was in terrible pain for the first 4 months (trying to nurse a baby in a rocking chair with a broken tailbone should be considered torture). I was told by my midwife to go to see a doctor if the pain persisted which I did and I was told that if I was still in pain in a year to come back. So, I am still in quite a bit of pain, although it is definately less painful than after he was born. Does anyone have any advise on treatment? At this point I take hot baths, use ibuprofen (I'm nursing), and don't sit down too much. Also, has anyone ever experienced this and gone on to have another baby vaginally--I'm terrified of having to go through this level of pain again. Also, I lay down to nurse so much that now my sterum hurts quite often. Has anyone ever experienced sterum pain while laying down and nursing?
I had the same problem. I don't really have much advice on the pain, because it has been 5 years and I still have pain sometimes, but I did have another child vaginally.
Good Luck!
B. Jo
Re: the sternum pain, I also lay down to nurse quite a lot because I co-slept and experienced the same thing. I had pain in my arms, neck, shoulders too, from sleeping in an odd position or nursing with one arm over my head while lying down. It was a very frustrating thing, but remember that this too shall pass. Try some gentle daily stretches of the upper body. Also, ask your doctor for a referral to physical therapy for both this and the tailbone (and do not be afraid to push for this if necessary!) Doctors sometimes cannot understand the level of pain you are in, and the frustration of even a small level on a daily basis can be quite grinding. Combined with the tailbone injury, that is not fun. Definitely see your physician and if you don't get a referral, call the nurse, go back and visit, call the doctor, change doctors...whatever it takes to be heard. Don't be shy and don't be quiet. (New moms sometimes think they are pushing things, I sure did and I therefore was quiet and so had a horrible and exhausting recovery after my first child; I thought I had made a bad mistake by having children; I should have complained more. My career also is in the medical community and doctors are aware that they need to provide good customer service; some are better than others, so persevere if they do not.) Find someone to listen and who will help! It can improve.
What I would try.Calcium is a natural pain reliever builds bone and should be a daily part of your diet.Your bones are BONE and the best supplement for your bones.When you make beans stew or soup always add a bone.I usually buy neck bone.Take calcium hydroxiphate(bone meal tabs)or powder and I add knox gelitan to the mix.One tsp.of each in juice works well.(NOW foods is a good brand).With a broken tail bone I'd take it twice daily.(The orientals don't have the bone problems that we do because they consume more bone in there diets).If the area is not too delicate,a mixiure of 1/4 DMSO to 3/4 MSM lotion(shake well)apply localy depending on the area.Avoid delicate areas of corse.This ia a great liniment for all kinds of sprains and injuries.All the best.
My sister had the horrible tailbone pain too. I am a PT and could get her some relief, but her ultimate relief was when she had another baby. After her second delivery the tailbone pain was completely gone. I would be more than happy to take a look at it to see if we could get you some resolution though. I do my physical therapy at Dynamic Bracing in Spokane. Give me a call at ###-###-####. I have more info if you want it but easier to talk than e mail. :) A.
I can totally relate.I had the same thing....The only thing that helped was to get adjusted by my chiropractor. I know they get a bad wrap but if they don't do the cracking and popping it can be very effective. It also helped with my sacrum....It can still be uncomfortable when I am nursing If I am laying wrong.....positioning is so...important!Make sure your spine is straight and your back isn't bowed. The tail bone pain was worse with my 1st child.... Sacrum and sternum worse with the 2nd!
Good Luck,
G.
I almost always nursed my son laying down and never had any sternum pain. Have you tried nursing while sitting on a Boppy pillow so your tailbone is not on the chiar?
My SIL Broke her tailbone falling down the stairs a few months before delivery and she said that delivery after that was the most excruciating pain she had ever felt. It did take a very very long time to heal completely. She has since had two more kids, and the old injury did not bother her at all.
My friend did break her tailbone in delivery, I wouls get xrays at your doctors office to make sure it's not broken then see a chiropractor. I work for one and it's helped me with tailbone pain following a fall and childbirth!
I broke my tailbone in grade school, and reset it years later (meaning it broke again) when my first child was born. It hurt a lot and took awhile to heal - a donut cushion is a life saver for this! - but after it healed, I don't recall it giving me the same trouble with my other two births. There are some good suggestions here for you - do talk to your doctor(s) about it until you get the pain taken care of, as you don't have to live in constant pain. I've also found chiropractic visits to be helpful to me whenever things are out of place.
Best to you!
I'm going to agree w/ one of the other moms, Chiropractic is definetly the way to go. I've worked for one for 5 years now, was adjusted everyday of my pregnancy and thereafter (as was my son), however ever since pregnancy/delivery I had problems w/ my tailbone, tremendous pain! My Chiro doc thought my tailbone had introverted more so that it should be during pregnancy. So he adjusts it quite a bit still, months of caring a baby can definetly do a number on your spine and body... so even though it may have felt like it was solely the delivery, it was probably just the icing on the cake as far as your body was concerned.
As far as your current methods: Although heat feels good, it only inflames the muscles around your problem area more, leaving it more swollen and irritated afterwards. So ice is your best bet. You want to TRY to stay away from OTC meds, especially if your nursing. No matter what, your baby is getting the same things your putting into your body!
Hope this helps, you really don't need to deal w/ the pain, Chiropractic will help correct the issue!
I experienced the same thing-tailbone pain, I went to a fabulous physical therapist-therapeutic associates in Woodinville (I highly recommend them.) I would also see an osteopath if I were you...I was planning to but mine has been steadily improving.
Same thing happened to me with my 3rd baby. Yikes that hurts! It lasted about a year. I finally went to the chiropractor and he said my tail bone was so crooked no wonder it hurt. No problems now. It did not happen with my 4th delivery so take hope!
Ryanne
Have you ever tried going to a chiropractor? I am sure your tailbone shifted and they can help realign your spine the way it should be. It will hurt, but you should feel repreave after a few days.
I had fallen on icy steps during one of my pregnancies, and landed right on my tailbone. My dr said there wasnt much they can do cuz I was preg, so I turned to my chiropractor ( i have been going to him for years). I told him what had happened and where it hurt, and he did wonders. It took a long time to heal and a few visits but it was so worth it. The pain decreased pretty quick. I had no prob with the next preg.
I honestly think it will not affect having another vaginal delivery. Just give your back time to heal.
