How to reduce back pain after C-section and what are the causes of back pain after C-section ?
The journey of pregnancy, right from the time of finding out about it to the time of delivery, is one of the most beautiful, painful, and memorable experiences in a mother’s life. During the various stages of her pregnancy term, a mother should prioritize exercising and diet to ensure a successful pregnancy term and her baby’s good health.
The hardships that a mother experiences during those nine months and during the delivery process are considered ‘worth the pain’ with the creation and welcoming of new life. Along with these joys comes inevitable consequences of the delivery process, a C-section or cesarean delivery having a little more issues and matters than standard delivery. But what exactly is a C-section or cesarean delivery?
A cesarean delivery (also known as C-section) is a surgical procedure conducted when there are complications in normal vaginal birth or the mother or child is at risk. It is done through a surgical incision on the uterus and the abdomen.
There are several conditions when this procedure has to be performed. For example, the baby has some developmental needs, the baby’s position is not conducive to a natural delivery process, there is a reduction in oxygen supply to the baby, some issues with the umbilical cord, the baby’s head is too large, etc.
A C-section comes along with its physical, emotional, and psychological problems that disrupt normal functioning, attitudes, and behavior to a certain extent if not adequately handled. One such physical consequence that women face after having undergone a c-section is backaches.
Backaches and pains after delivery are not caused due to some underlying disease or problem and are completely normal as it is something faced by most women after giving birth. Approximately 56.67% of women who have undergone a C-section face experience back pain than 33.33% of women who’ve had a standard delivery.
A mother might face back pain for hours, days, or months but the pain is temporary and fades away with time and with efforts put in. Before understanding how to reduce and relieve back pain after a C-section, we need to understand what causes it in the first place. So let us know the causes of back pain after a C-section.
1.What are the causes of Back pain after a C-section?
Anesthesia
The process of Cesarean surgery starts with the injection of Anesthesia near the spinal cord. A mother receives an epidural or spinal block to numb the area around the spinal cord before surgery.
The consequences of the injection start showing up when these spinal blocks start giving muscle spasms after the delivery. They might last for days or even months. The reason behind cramps is that the area around the spinal cord tends to be sensitive, resulting in back pain.
What can you do about it? There isn’t quite a lot one can do during this time as the whole focus is on the safe delivery of the baby, but speaking to the nurse or doctor about the pain may be helpful and informative.
Hormonal changes
The body has its way of reacting at the time of pregnancy. There are several changes that the body goes through during those nine months. A pregnant woman can feel some of the hormonal changes, but some of them happen internally.
The body releases hormones such as Relaxin helps the body to prepare itself at the time of birth. Relaxin loosens joints and ligaments so that the delivery happens safely without any trouble. The loosening of the joints might put a strain on the back muscles resulting in severe back pain.
There is no need to worry as the body strengthens the ligaments after a few months of pregnancy, which will eventually heal your back pain.
What can you do about it? To deal with hormonal changes, maintaining a healthy, nutritious diet and taking the prescribed medications each day without fail can help.
Diastasis Recti
Diastasis Recti is very common at the time of pregnancy. It is a condition where there is a separation of the Rectus Abdominis muscle in the middle part of your stomach. It occurs because your uterus stretches the abdomen muscles to accommodate the growing baby, which may put some strain on the back muscles resulting in back pain. If your back pain becomes severe, visit your doctor immediately.
What can you do about it? Physical exercise, yoga, or a postpartum fitness specialist can help alleviate back pain.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is when a mother sits in a single position for some hours to make sure that baby is comfortable while feeding.
It has been seen that the mother’s position during breastfeeding plays a significant role in back pain and other similar issues. There can be neck soreness and back pain as the mother often hunches to see if the baby is latching correctly.
What can you do about it? To deal with these issues, you should use some pillows to make yourself and the baby comfortable. You can have a short rest while the baby is asleep after feeding, which also applies to bottle feeding. You should try and sit in a more comfortable position and make the baby feel comfortable and tucked in.
Weight gain
Carrying a baby for nine months is not an easy task for mothers. As the fetus grows, mothers lean a little to have the baby. There is a shift in the balance of weight which might result in strain on the back muscles. Over time, this pain may grow severe as the stress on the muscles keeps on increasing.
What can you do about it? There is a little bit of light exercise and yoga every day to maintain a good, erect, and healthy posture.
2.How to reduce back pain after C-section?
Before getting to this section, it is essential to understand that treating back pain after a C-section takes time. Thus, it is advised that one stays patient, calm, and motivated throughout the whole process of it.
The key solution here is to start working on this as soon as you can. Even taking baby steps every day can help. Make sure to not over-exert or worry yourself about the same but have an open mind. There are several ways through which we can reduce the pain. Let us see the cure for this back pain:
Exercise and stretch
One of the best ways to cure back pain is to include exercise and stretching in your daily routine. Stretch your lower back muscles daily for 10 minutes. Have a quick exercise session in the morning, including a cat-cow pose to get a good stretch. You can also include yoga in your routine for further benefits. Remember not to overdo anything!
Massage
Massage is one of the best ways to cure back pain. Including one massage session daily in your routine can have incredible benefits on your back pain. You can hire a professional for massage, or you can even ask your partner to give you a quick massage. Massage will release some tension in the back muscles giving you relief from the pain.
Stay hydrated
Lack of proper water intake might be the culprit behind your spinal headaches. So make sure you stay hydrated to avoid future back pain issues and spinal headaches.
Correct your Posture
A mother should look after her posture, especially while breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is a period where a mother has to make her baby comfortable. She keeps her baby engaged by looking into their eyes so that baby remains calm, which might lead to neck stiffness and can further result in severe back pain. To avoid such circumstances, a mother should take a quick walk while her baby is asleep. She can follow various exercises available to improve her posture and get relief from back pain.
Take proper rest
Mothers often forget to take proper rest while taking care of her baby. She should take naps while her baby is asleep. Staying on your feet for too long might increase the pain further, so make sure you rest properly.
Medication
If the pain is out of your control, then give a visit to your doctor immediately. Ask your doctor the reason behind the pain and request proper medication for the same. A doctor can help you get relief from your pain quickly to look after your baby without any trouble.
Takeaway
The body goes through several changes during and after pregnancy. A mother has to adapt to her new lifestyle quickly while she is occupied with caring, feeding, and nurturing her baby. Back pain may disappear after a while, but don’t let it interfere with your daily life.
Along with taking care of your baby, make sure to take some time for yourself by practicing a little self-love, accepting the pain, and having a sense of optimism that everything will be okay and it definitely will be okay!
Remember to not beat yourself up over it and not lose yourself but embrace every part of it from the joys and happiness to the pain and discomfort, as this is what motherhood is all about!