Struggling with back pain and baby

[Marzipangirl3]

Hoping for some practical advice as I can’t think straight through the pain.

Currently in a crisis with my mid back, have had pain since giving birth 11 weeks ago but have got to the point I am struggling to function in the past week. I have tried to push through the pain as I have no choice with caring for DD but I’m at the point where I can’t even stand at the sink to brush my teeth and doing anything with the baby is agony. I am alone with the baby now until tomorrow mid morning as DH has gone out with friends. I was meant to have the morning off holding baby/doing feeds today (she contact naps) but DH wanted to chill before going out so I’m already at the point where I’m struggling to hold her to feed her as it’s so painful. DH will be home around midnight but will be drunk so obviously isn’t safe to help out and then will be hungover tomorrow morning.

How do I get through the next 20-24 hours or so? I feel so down and crap about it already but I know that feeling sorry for myself doesn’t fix anything. Painkillers and heat packs take the edge off but I’m in real crisis here and can’t see a private physio until next week as don’t have anyone to watch the baby for me whilst I go. Just looking for any advice if anyone has been through this?

Well for now ice it, alternate that with heat, take good strong painkillers. Its a bit ridiculous that your partner didn't give you a break because he "needed to chill" before he went out?! You should've made him take th2 baby when it was clear he was determined to be selfish for the entirety of the day. Have you a tennis all or physio ball that might help, or look up some stretches that might help.

Thank you. I’ll try the ice because I don’t have a tennis or physio ball unfortunately. I have been doing exercises and stretches for weeks but haven’t got anywhere with them, which is why I’m now at this point.

Yeah you need to see an osteopath or physio when you can. Also get your partner to take over tomorrow. Take ibuprofen, anti inflammatory.

You have my sympathies, I pulled a ligament in my back when DS was six weeks old, think I did it pushing the pushchair (I’d had a C-section). For about six weeks I was in constant pain with it, wouldn’t wish it on anyone. The physio said the C-section meant my stomach muscles were not supporting my back muscles which is why it happened.

I got through it taking co-codamol (nothing else touched it) during the day and wearing a tens machine all the time. Ibuprofen at night (make sure you’ve eaten) as apparently that helps reduce overnight swelling which causes the intense stiffness when you wake up.

I saw a physio who recommended some gentle stretches. I can remember well meaning people recommending a bath, and me wondering how I’d lift a leg over into a bath and get out again afterwards. Physio also recommended Pilates and yoga which I do religiously every week (obviously you’ll not be able to start them yet) I think once you’ve injured your back it’s kind of fucked and it will go again so building strength and flexibility will help reduce the frequency with which it goes and help you to move better when it does. Strange as it sounds, when my back goes now or if it’s twinging, I know I need to do things like pulling my belly in to brace my back muscles as I move, kneel down instead of bending over if I can, stand up and sit down by squatting and using my legs instead of my back to move. I look like a crazy woman but it does help.

Get yourself an appointment with a physio. It will pass