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Pilgrim
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| Posted: Jan 13 2011 at 10:34am | IP Logged
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Does anyone else experience postpartum back pain, and if so do you know anything that will help it. It is almost debilitating when it hits, and the smallest things like bending over to a lower dresser drawer, or turning to the side to set something down can set it off. It'll be fine for a few hours and then get really, really bad again. I'm sure the relaxen(sp?) and extra weight of milk in the front has some to do with it. I'm just hoping there is something that may help a bit. Us Mommies can't be down and out for the count. 
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Nique
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| Posted: Jan 13 2011 at 11:33am | IP Logged
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Oh Sarah, I am so sorry you are going through this. I am going to email my doula with your question, and will post her answer 
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MaryM
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| Posted: Jan 13 2011 at 11:43am | IP Logged
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Oh Pilgrim, sorry to hear this. It is a very common problem though for women post partum. During pregnancy, the stretching uterus can weaken abdominal muscles and alters posture which can strain the back. It also means more work for muscles and increased stress on joints and hormonal changes can loosen the joints and the ligaments. It usually gets better gradually as things get back to normal - muscles regain their strength and joints become less lax.
But in the interim it helps to really watch posture. Keep shoulders back, don't lean or hunch when nursing or picking up baby. Make sure to bend knees and squat to lift instead of bending over. Exercise specifically to help strengthen the abdominal muscles and back can help. If you think about how with a new baby everything is always very forward - arms, shoulders tend to come forward. Counter that with stretches that pull your shoulders back - even just for the relief it helps a lot. Example - put your arms behind your back, link fingers, and gently pull arms back away from body, hold for a bit, release. Do this frequently through the day.
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seeker
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| Posted: Jan 13 2011 at 11:47am | IP Logged
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Is there a time of day when it's worse than other times? Does your pain seem to occur after you've been resting or laying down or is it just random?
After my second child I would wake up in excruciating pain in my hips and lower back. It turned out that all the little bones in my hips that had separated during the birth and should normally settle back into place were re-separating at night. The pain I was feeling was the bones that were out of place. I hope this makes sense.
Oh, Mary, just read your reply... I remember my doctor saying that those lax joint were what was causing the bones to slip around...
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Nique
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| Posted: Jan 13 2011 at 1:30pm | IP Logged
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Here it my Doula Diane's reply:
There are many things to ask. Did she have an epidural? if she did, it can very well be to the fact that the drugs have done something to her nerves in that area. Or is the pain in her kidney area? if so, it is possible that she is not drinking enough water, and her kidneys are having a hard time. She may have a UTI, or a bladder infection, or she may have a kidney infection.
I recommend a good probotic, like BIO-K to help with yeast, and to boost her immune system, as well as cranmax, or cranberry capsules. maybe even a visit to her dr. to rule out an infection.
I also recommend going to a good pharmacy and getting arnica oil, arnica gel or arnica tincture. something she can rub on the area to help with pain,swelling and discomfort. I like west grand becasue i get the arnica tincture, and rub it on it is stronger. I also make arnica tincture and arnica oil. she can also buy it from me if she wants it. it is good for tissue trauma and muscular aches, as well as disk pain and swelling of the stuff between the disks.
I also HIGHLY (i can not stress that enough) recommend going to a chiropractor, or physio therapist for an adjustment after having a baby. she will not need a script for a chiropractor, and she just needs a script from her dr. very very easy to get.
If she can afford it, I also recommend getting a good massage. it will do wonders for her muscles.
It is not so much that her milk is heavy, but more likely that her bod has not adjusted from having the baby weight, to not, and so the muscles are tender and stretched.
I also recommend a good carrier, like a wrap, or a Mei tai carrier, something that will properly support the weight of a baby. NOT a snuggly or bijorn carrier, they make you hold the baby at the top of your shoulders, and it will cause more neck back and arm pain. I absolutely do not recommend those types of carriers if there is back pain and strain.
p.s. Hey Sarah, I know you did not get an epideral, but I just included that part for anybody else who might by chance, be experiencing the back pain after having given birth, as well and is reading this.
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Jan 13 2011 at 1:47pm | IP Logged
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When my back starts aching it's usually the cue for me to remember to use my stomach muscles again 
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Trinity
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| Posted: Jan 13 2011 at 1:54pm | IP Logged
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With my first baby I had very bad sciatica during the pregnancy. I went weekly for therapy with a chiropracter who was specialized in treating pregnant women and it was a lifesaver. I had to see him for about a month after the birth as well. My son had injured my coccyx during the birth. That hurt quite a bit.
I hope you find something that works soon.
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Pilgrim
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| Posted: Jan 13 2011 at 2:12pm | IP Logged
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Thank you for the ideas. The pain is in the middle back, I was thinking it is somewhat related to the lack of using my abs, like Jodie said. I do use a wrap instead of front pack carriers, yes that definitely helps. I have had the hips and pelvic pain as well, with popping and creaking when I move to get up from resting or sleeping. I think I'm starting to heal, as well, and that's causing some pain as things settle back into place.
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Jan 13 2011 at 2:24pm | IP Logged
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pineapple helps speed healing in soft tissues, ginger as well though you probably shouldn't use high amount of ginger if you could get pregnant.
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Pilgrim
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| Posted: Jan 13 2011 at 3:53pm | IP Logged
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Thank you Jodie, do you know if high amounts of ginger are okay with nursing? It's only because of the risk of bleeding(being abortifacient) with possibility of pregnancy right?
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Jan 13 2011 at 6:55pm | IP Logged
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that's my understanding.. I've used high amount of ginger while nursing and didn't encounter any problems.. it is strong though.. somewhat like garlic.. so you could have a taste change that might bother your baby or not.
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Nique
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| Posted: Jan 13 2011 at 8:51pm | IP Logged
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Sarah, this comes from Diane:
Yes, the creaking and popping,would be joints going back into place ... to feel achy is normal, but pain is not something that i have ever experienced after any of my children. the arnica will be your bussy, you can appl it liberally, and frequently. i will keep you in my prayers that you heal fast. there is no time for mamas to feel sore and achy!!
You could also slip into an epsom salt bath, that will help sore muscles, and will allow you to relax. If you add a cup of epsom salt to a nice hot bath, will feel luxurious. Make sure you drink more water then normally, as your body will want to flush any toxins from your system. As a rule of thumb, 2-3 liters (large water bottles) of water daily is a minimum
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SuzanneG
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Ugh. Hate this stage. I'm in it too right now, Pilgrim.  Here are some things that help me:
:: Good supportive bra---even though my DESIRE is no bra at all . But this really makes a difference.
:: Tummy Belt --- like this one. Helps remind me of my posture.
:: I lie on my back with my butt up against a wall, legs straight up on the wall. So, your legs are at a 90 degree angle. Arms at your sides. Sometimes I just lie there for 10 minutes or so. A couple times a day.
Sometimes I do this: Raise your hands/wrist/forearm up 90 degrees and push them into the floor. Squeeze your shoulder blades together. Hold for several seconds, let go....do it again.
:: Other mid-upper back stretches throughout the day.
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4Real Forums : Our Lady of Good Remedy and Care
Topic: Postpartum Back Pain?
