Breast feeding, relaxin & back pain

[pegster]

Need some advice please!
I have been EBF my DS for 6 months now. He was born by EMCS and during the birth I sustained a prolapsed disc at L5-S1. Initially I had a numb leg etc but all the neurological problems resolved after 6 months, unfortunately the back pain just gets worse and worse despite physio, Pilates and prescription painkillers.
The physio suggests relaxin is probably contributing to the instability/pain but shes stopped short of saying that giving up BF would speed my recovery.
Has anyone any experience or knowledge of whether relaxin is still being produced at 6 months and whether giving up BF would help my back? Really don't want to stop yet unless it's going to make a big difference to my excruciating pain!

Sorry, that should be the neuro complications resolved after 6 weeks, not months

Yes I've come across this before I think relaxin is only produced while PG not while breastfeeding. But it is well know that is can take some time for it to wear off after birth (months).

If I find some more info I'll let you know

I have long term PGP and it's a common myth that BFing makes the relaxin levels continue after pregnancy. After nearly six years I've had a lot of debate about whether BFing causes it, the only thing to be sure is P&A can affect existing back problems.

My PGP got much better after I gave up bf at 13 months.

Does your physio specialise in conditions related to pg? Some practitioners do eg my osteopath. If your physio is a generalist it is definitely worth finding one who specialises in pg and post pg conditions.

This is about Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) and it's a referenced guide to PGP for health professionals. It says nothing about stopping bfing and in fact encourages it saying 'Breastfeeding will not slow the recovery from PGP.'

This is the guide for mothers from the same organisation.

Thank-you everyone, that's very helpful. When the GP did my physio referral after my MRI results he said it was to the obstetric physio team however they all work out of the same department so am not certain of my particular (very lovely) physio's specialisation. Both she & my Pilates teacher keep mentioning high levels of relaxin associated with BF but it would appear that's not necessarily true

Certainly no obvious reason to give up BF yet then, DS (& I) very pleased

Next time they mention the 'high levels of relaxin associated with bfing' ask for their sources/references.....

I had this exact problem with my back from prolonged pushing and to be fair my recovery sped up dramatically after finishing breastfeeding. It was a hard decision to make. I believe very much so that you continue to produce some levels of relaxin whilst breastfeeding. This combined with feeding positions (which can also strain you) I believe delays recovery most definately. I tried every option before giving up at 6 months, its horrible but if you've tried everything and nothing is improving its the best for yourself and your baby.
Zoe x