Back Problems after birth

[nellieellie]

Am looking for some reassurance here. Had emergency caesarean under epidural after 24 hrs labour 6 mths ago. When my DS was 7 weeks my back "went" very badly. Partner had to work at home for 2 weeks to look after baby. Then had to get person from agency for next 2 weeks. Could not bend, lift DS - for about a week could hardly walk. 4 months later after seeing osteopaths, cranial osteopaths and acupuncturists, although can now function am still in pain and restricted as to what am able to do. Gets better for a bit, then reverts back. All the people I have seen have been initially optimistic that they can help then mystifies when doesn't work. Am still breastfeeding and v conscious of need for good positioning etc. Understand that due to loose ligaments caused by hormone due to BF back probs take longer to resolve. Am feeling now that will never get better. Am seeing a cons neurologist who is expert on back and spine tomorrow to rule out anything structural. Opinion of osteopaths so far is that pelvis rotated, twisted spine and all muscles keep going into spasm so even when rotation is corrected the muscles pull it back.
Has anyone had similar experiences and did you get better? Any recommendations? Have also tried magnets, backstretcher with little effect. Wondering if giving up BF will help.
Am feeling so down now as is v difficult to look after 6 mth old DS - getting heavier and often needs to be carried around to calm him.

[SoupDragon]

Briefly due to whinging baby dragon... Osteopath plus something lilke pilates to strengthen all the muscles that support your back. The osteopath will "fix" your back, the pilates will help keep it fixed.

Re carrying a 6mth old - get a Hippychick seat. Absolutely fantastic and protected my back with DS2.

[Pollyanna]

My back went when my dd2 was 10 weeks old. the only thing that helped me was a chiropractor. I then did pilates for a while. Most of the time my back is fine, but every so often (like when I was pregnant with dd3) it goes again.

[nellieellie]

thank you for your help - only thing re Pilates is that as yet an osteopath has not "fixed" my back so diff to do any exercise to stregthen it although am working on core muscles - pelvic floor and tummy as much as can. I agree re the Hippychick seat - they are good and I use it a fair bit - only thing is my DS much prefers mum's soft bod under his bum rather than the seat and tends to whinge if I use it for more than a few mins!
Pollyanna - how long was your back bad and had you tried other treatments that failed before the Chiropractor?? It is something that I have not tried so maybe I should give it a go.

[SoupDragon]

I found Pilates v gentle and it didn't put a strain on my back - I was aware of what I could and couldn't attempt. Your oateopath should be able to give ou strengthening exercises too. from what you say it does sound like you need to sort the muscles out to stop them pulling your spine back out. maybe look at a pilates book to try the bit where you "engage your core muscles" and do just that whilst being very aware of your posture at all times - forget the moves for now. I find imagining the muscles pulling in to support my spine helpful when doing this.

I also never take painkillers for my back if i can avoid it, my reasoning being that I have to know what hurts it to avoid wrecking it more.

good luck,