S.A. asks from Hilton, NY on May 29, 2008
Hip Pain After Childbirth?
Hey Moms,
Wondering if any of you other mothers have experienced some "quirks" that I'm currently dealing with before I call my OB/GYN or my GP. Since the birth of my 2nd son, I have randomly gotten a dull ache - almost like a growing pain feeling - in my hips. It's not when I'm doing anything. In fact, it doesn't seem to bother me if I'm doing something like walking or moving around the house, etc. When I sit down to relax it's pretty pronounced; not debilitating, but quite bothersome and hard to ignore. Right before my son was born (about 2-3 weeks prior) I started getting those pains pretty strong, almost like I had the "flu" (that kind of achy feeling) in my hips. My midwife said it was likely my pelvis getting ready for birth. I figured the same. But I have had the same pain continually even now, 6 months after delivery. I thought initially after delivery that it was just that my pelvis was "shrinking" (haha - wouldn't that be nice), or going back to it's "normal" size and that's what I was feeling. But even now? 6 months post delivery? As I stood up to move to the computer to ask this question, I felt almost a numbness in my legs all the way to my toes, but no pain. Just the hip aches. Is this typical after delivery? I didn't experience ANY of this with my first son.
I'm not asking for diagnosis, of course. Just wondering if this is just "part of the game" or if I should be concerned/call my midwife or primary care...
Thanks!
Featured Answers
J.B. answers from Boston on May 30, 2008
It took about one year for that pain to go away, particularly because I breast fed. All part of the fun.
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J.B. answers from Boston on May 30, 2008
It took about one year for that pain to go away, particularly because I breast fed. All part of the fun.
J.E. answers from Boston on May 30, 2008
It may be your siatic (spelling) nerve. I had the same hip pain during my first and second pregnancies. It stuck around for years after my first birth and then oddly hasn't really been bothering me since the birth of my second child. I would get numbness down my legs and into my toes. It's definitely something worth checking into. Unfortunately there isn't a "cure" for it, but your doctor could give you some exercises to help it out some. Good luck.
P.H. answers from Boston on May 30, 2008
Do you think it is your hips or your joints? my hips did not adjust back after speading for the baby and I ended up needing Physical Therapy to help get them back in shape..ask your doctor about the pains and see if this is something you can get an RX for.
I could barely walk around the store..does Tylenol or Advil help in the meantime? no one wants to be in pain.
L.L. answers from Boston on May 30, 2008
Hi S.,
Just get yourself to a Physical Therapist to determine if your pelvis/hips/back is aligned or out of whack from pregnancy. I had the same troubles and the PT said my pelvis was not aligned. I had horrible pain in my right hip and I pulled my back out 3 times after giving birth which was pretty horrifying to deal with caring for a newborn.
With little effort and a painless process, PT fixed this issue. I went to Dynamic PT in Worcester off of Park Ave. Not a glamorous office but very capable people there, the young gentleman, (Bill?) helped me tremendously. Just give it a shot. It is not worth just dealing with the pain and hoping time will help.
Hang in there.
Blessings,
L.
H.D. answers from Barnstable on May 30, 2008
After having a baby, your body is all out of whack! I know not all people trust/like chiropractors, but this helped me. Not only did I still have some problems with my hips when my son was 4, but they were uneven. With some minor adjustments and some time they were back to normal, pain free. I see someone in Osterville who trains your body to heal itself. We've had a lot of excellent experiences. My son's asthma and allergies are less severe. I take him there instead of the doctor when his ears hurt or he's sick. You be the judge on the rest, but I highly recommend it for your hips.
K.D. answers from Providence on May 30, 2008
have you thought about having yourself adjusted by a chiropractor. i foound my hip pain resoved after seeing my chiropractor after having my daughter she is 1 now mother rn of a 13 11 8 and 1 yr old running a home based business www.myurbeautiful.myarbonne.com a great second income warmly, K. d
L.Q. answers from Boston on May 30, 2008
I agree with chiropractic treatments as well as massage! I had several car accidents before I even got pregnant with my first child and had severe back/neck problems and pain. The chiro helped me a lot and I love getting relaxing massages that seems to help me to. I also have sciatica & it is worse after have my son and now I am 20 weeks pregnant again and it is even worse!
So check with your midwife let her know what is going on because you want to rule out that it is not something else! Diabetes can also cause "numbness, tingling" in the legs & feet. So they may want to check your blood sugars as well, maybe do x-rays before letting you see a chiro (lots of doctors do not refer patients to chiros, they don't like them or believe in them...FYI). But most are only $30 a visit without insurance so you could go on your own, just make sure you find a good one!! Good luck.
T.D. answers from Boston on May 30, 2008
First, you need to determine if what you are experiencing is true hip pain or is actually referred back pain. If the pain is in your groin, the crease at the top of your thigh when you bend it, it is true hip pain. If the pain wraps around the outside of your "hip" where most people think their hips are (where you put your hands on your "hips") it is more likely to be back pain. The round ligaments in your pelvis along with all the other ligaments in that area do loosen up significantly during pregnancy and delivery. they also loosen more with multiple pregnancies and births. Each woman's body is different and will take different rates of time to return to "normal" if ever it really does :) If the pain is wrapping around the outside and down your legs rather than in the groin, this is typically from back pain that is referred elsewhere. When you are pregnant, it obviously stretches out your abdominal muscles and your hamstring muscles often tighten up to compensate. This puts alot of strain on your low back. As does carrying around a baby in a carrier or just on your hip, particularly if you don't make a conscious effort to switch sides regularly. Either way, you should talk to your doc. Post partum physical therapy can help alot. You may only need to actually see the PT a few times and then they can give you a home exercise program to keep you stretched where you need to be and strengthened where you need to.
Don't suffer in silence, have it checked out! Good luck.
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