Really sore tailbone after giving birth

Hi Ladies,

I probably sound like a whinger, but I am going to ask anyway!

I only gave birth to my daughter a week ago, but since then I have had a very very sore tailbone, to the point that I cant even sit down without being in a huge amount of pain. Just makes it hard to sit and breastfeed her, or sit in the car or sit anywhere really. I spent some of my labour trying to move around a bit but by the time I had to push, i was on my back because she got stuck so an ob had to come in and turn her. Pushing stage lasted for 2 hours 15 mins because of this.

I saw a physio while I was in hospital and she showed me some exercises I could do to try to help it heal... I also got a special bum pillow made out of a block of foam which helps a bit but not that much.

just wondering if anyone else had this and how long did it take before you could actually sit down normally?

it just doesnt really feel like its getting any better.

Karina, a friend of mine actually BROKE her tailbone during labour. If it's not getting better after a while you might like to go back to your doctor and get it thoroughly checked out.

Sorry I don't have any tips, I just hope you start feeling better soon and hope you get all the help you need in the meantime. ((hugs)).

My mum broke her tailbone and she sat on one of those high cushions with the bit cut out right where your tailbone goes so it is not actually pressing on anything. I hope that makes sense. I have also heard that it is not uncommon to break your tailbone giving birth. Don't know if that's true or not but I do know some people who have and I don't think there is much you can do about it. Try to get one of those cushions. Mum couldn't sit down without it. I actually think they went to clark rubber and get the stuff anf made one but you can buy them too.

I hope you are feeling better soon.

It's true that it's not uncommon for tailbones to break or be injured during birth :(
I've had trouble with my tailbone for years (the result of falling on it one night in a drunken stupor :lol:) and having a baby fixed it! In the 2.5 years since my daughter was born it hasn't played up once! When beforehand it used to give me grief all the time. Weird.
They can take a really, really long time to heal from injury so I think it would be best to have it seen to now. Perhaps you might benefit from some more physio.

Karina, with DS no 3 his elbow was up by his head so I had LOTS of tailbone pain during labour. It will heal...but as Flea said these back injuries take a long time. I'd see the physio again if you can. Don't be surprised if it's 6-12 months before it really feels better. Sorry!!

Thanks for your responses. I do have one of those pillows with the hole cut out of it and it is a huge help. The physio gave me the hospitals one to use and i went out the day after leaving and got one made at Clark Rubber.

Gosh, i hope i havent broken it. I might see if I can get in to see a physio some time this week.

Hey Karina, I have hurt my tailbone before (by falling on it), and it wasn't broken but still took a couple of months to feel totally better again. Hope you haven't broken it and it feels better for you soon.

Mads i hope you can get the time to ge see someone! thanks for the link to your other post. Will check it out soon.

My stupid tailbone is now cllicking each time i stand up. Gosh i hope i havent done heaps of damage to it.

Hi Karina, My sister bent her tailbone during labour and delivery 8 years ago with her second child and still to this day she can't sit for long periods of time. She went to the doc and to physio but all to no avail. I carried and laboured all of my babies posterior but it wasn't til I had bub number 5 that I had any trouble with my tailbone. It now pertrudes out and to the right slightly Dr told me that when everything softened it bent but didn't go back into the right position and will be permanent and I will just have to learn to live with it and in time it may lessen, or have another baby and see if it corrects, not likely. It kills somedays, particularly when I am sitting at the computer for hours doing my assignments, I use my arms to push up off the chair the pain is so severe at times. I hope yourse can be corrected,I feel your pain babe.

Hi all,

Karina I have the same problem with my tailbone clicking too!! It's comforting to know that so many women have sore butts! My tailbone is agony as well - feels like the bone is bruised or something. My little Bella is nearly 3 weeks old and it's agony to sit down or stand up.

My OB suggested physio. I went 2 days ago to find out I have pulled mostly all the ligaments in my butt. I didn't even know I had ligaments there!!

I had an epidural and spent about 6 hours in a sitting-up position when I gave birth nearly 3 weeks ago - then had 1 1/2 hours of pushing time. Not very traumatic in comparison but I guess enough to cause trauma to my body.

I've been told it can take months before the tailbone pain heals. Does anyone know exactly what causes it? Is it from sitting stationary for so long or from the pushing?? I'd be interested to know.

xx

Angela, when i went to see the physio for my sore bum, she had a plastic pelvis, lol, and showed me what could have caused the soreness there.. basically, if you are lying on your back the tail bone is bent in a wierd position and it can sort of get in the way of baby coming out and the baby can push on it, kwim? She reckons that could be what caused my sore tailbone.
Anyhow, its much better now, but still a bit of pain depending on how I am sitting.