Recent Survey Shows Mothers Ignore Their Health After Delivery

Dr. Neha Narula, 4 years ago

Worldwide research suggests that about 50 – 80% of expecting mothers suffer from lower back pain during pregnancy. About 1 in 4 women ignore their health after delivery. It is thus a matter of great necessity for women to prioritize their spinal health.

“During pregnancy, the uterus expands and women typically gains weight in the second trimester. Pregnancy also disturbs the natural ‘S’ curve of the spine and shifts the center of gravity. This change in posture and weight of growing baby compresses the discs and the nerves in the spine. Sometimes this problem doesn’t correct itself after childbirth” says Dr. Garima Anandani, a senior spine specialist of the QI Spine Clinic – India’s largest network for Spine Care.

Experts believe that it is not unusual for new mothers to experience back pain after childbirth. Back pain not only affects the well-being of a mother but interferes with childcare too.  Almost 50% of women suffer from back pain during pregnancy, which resolves in a few weeks, only to return after childbirth. And as mothers take care of their newborn, they often tend to ignore episodes of back pain until they become unmanageable.

Sometimes beginning a job or getting engaged in household work soon after childbirth doesn’t allow the body to recover completely. The causes of back pain after delivery range from a variety of reasons, beginning from the myriad of changing hormones to changes in posture, weight and sleeping positions.

Here are a few causes for postpartum back pain:

 Pregnancy hormones:

During Pregnancy body produces Hormone called Relaxin that is responsible for loosening the muscles and joints to assist in childbirth which may also cause weakening of spinal joints, ligaments, and muscles leading to back pain post-pregnancy.

Postural Stresses post Pregnancy:

The additional amount of pressure on the spine caused by bending and lifting the baby could weaken the spine, thus leading to pain. Holding the baby in a wrong way during breastfeeding could be another cause of pain in the upper, middle, and lower back.  Sleep Deprivation: A continuous lack of sleep may stress and strain the back muscles, leading to increased back and neck pain.

Emotional Stress:

A number of psychological conditions that new mothers experience, ranging from anxiety to anger further aggravates their condition.

Lack of post-pregnancy care:

Weight gain post-pregnancy, lack of physical activity sometimes is a major hindrance to the recovery of a woman’s body.

“If you had chronic backaches before you got pregnant, chances of pain during pregnancy are much higher hence during and post pregnancy, Don’t ignore your pain or suppress it with painkillers,” says Dr. Neha Narula, Senior Spine Specialist, QI Spine Clinic.

She also suggests that mothers must adopt healthy ways to soothe back and neck pain with a hot or cold compress during pregnancy and must opt for a cell repair therapy session and spine rehabilitation post Pregnancy under the guidance of spine care medical professional.

“Adequate spinal health care not only provides an enriched experience of motherhood but also aids in improving the condition of overall health in women. It is thus necessary to raise the awareness of adequate spinal health care, especially for mothers”

Here are a few methods mothers can implement to relieve postpartum back pain:

Exercises:

The practice of gentle exercising helps strengthen the muscles post-delivery. These exercises include core strengthening exercises, walking, deep belly breathing with abdominal contractions, kneeling pelvic tilts, kegels, yoga, head lifts, shoulder lifts, and curl-ups. One must consult a health care professional before starting any health care regime.

Correct Postures:

Slouching strains the Spine. Maintaining correct body mechanics involves bending down from the knee while lifting the child and lifting the baby up to the breast to avoid bending or hunching while breastfeeding. Even maintaining the right postures while Sleeping and sitting postures to be maintained. For example, one can use proper Lumbar rolls while sitting and keep pillows between the knees while sleeping.

Muscle Relaxation:

Muscle soreness could be soothed with a professional massage or hot compress. Also one can engage in meditation or relaxation techniques to reduce stress.

Correct Diet:

Protein inclusion in one’s diet strengthens the body, thus aiding in recovery. Milk, cheese, yoghurt, fish, meat and beans are good sources of protein for mothers post-pregnancy.

In case of excessive back pain, neck pain or radiating pain to arm or leg, mothers must not avoid it and must consult a Spine Specialist. Spine rehabilitation is a proven way to treat postpartum sciatica and lower back pain.

Cell repair Technology and Isolation Technology for muscle repair and regeneration deliver targeted treatment and faster recovery of soft muscle tissue affected during pregnancy. They are non-invasive and drug-free treatment hence it is very safe and effective.