Coccyx pain following forceps delivery

[forestftm]

Just wondering if anyone has experienced coccyx pain following a forceps delivery.

Had little one just over 3 weeks ago, had to have assistance to deliver, forceps and episiotomy.

Since then I've had pain in my coccyx, only really when sitting down or getting up off the sofa/bed.

Pain killers don't help, and it hasn't really eased, possibly a tiny bit.

Any tips, tricks etc?

Been told to keep an eye on it and if no improvement to make an appointment with gp.

It’s not that uncommon to severely bruise or even fracture the coccyx during birth. The chances are doing so increase with instrumental delivery.

It takes about 8-12 weeks to heal an average fracture. The pain can often last a long time so please do mention this to your GP and you could also see an osteopath as well.

I had this with my first delivery. It didn't go away by itself unfortunately and I eventually went to physiotherapy which really helped sort it out.

Possibly a fracture

Gosh... I remember. The pain is unbelievable. I feel for you.
Coccyx pain is complex. A few pointers.
To "manage" the pain, take the recommended maximum daily dose of paracetamol. Obviously do check with your GP before following my advice but I was on that regime for months. Yes, months.
At this stage I imagine you still are on Ibuprofen. Keep taking them but ask your GP when they'll no longer be useful.
Constipation after birth should be avoided at all costs postpartum. That's why cocodamol and other opiates are not recommended. However your GP may try cocodamol with osmotic laxatives to take every day???

Avoid sitting down (easier said than done) and if you do, use this cushion.
www.amazon.co.uk/NRS-Healthcare-Coccyx-Pressure-Cushion/dp/B00FRGIZ72?tag=mumsnetforum-21

Driving might be impossible for quite a while.

When you see your GP, ask to be referred to a women's health physiotherapist. After they bruising and swelling have gone down, this is the optimal treatment.
They will check your pelvic floor muscles and if they are tense (they can be, like when you get shoulder tension), they can massage internally to release the tension. This is uncomfortable and possibly painful (even for 1 or 2 days afterwards) but eventually it should heif that's the problem.
They can also manipulate to realign the coccyx if it's they main issue.

As your pelvic floor muscles strengthen (that takes a while), the coccyx will be better supported. Same with restrenthening your core muscles. The physio might recommend you do clinical pilates (classes at the hospital) to help with that.

It's difficult to know from person to the next how long it will take. Friend had ventouse delivery and suffered for 3 to 6 months. She went on to have another child and didn't suffer any coccyx pain second time round. I, however still have some pain years later (NOTHING like this initial pain I must stress).

Thanks all for the replies, some great advice from you all.

I'll be seeing my GP in a couple of weeks so will definitely be mentioning it, I've been told I can self refer to local nhs physio, but may also contact a recommended osteopath.

The pelvic pain partnership website has a list of recommendations for physios/osteo s somewhere on the website.

I broke my coccyx during the pushing phase before a forceps delivery. It’s two years later and it still hurts but I can live my life. It’s 95% better.

They take ages to heal. You need to get yourself referred to a women’s health physio ASAP. It was the only thing that started to relieve the pain for me and start working on building up the ripped muscles.

Yes I had coccygeal pain after my first delivery (lengthy pushing followed by forceps). It was very painful for several weeks. Sitting on a rolled up towel (basically a makeshift ring cushion) helped a lot.

Several years later it is generally fine, but can be stiff and achy if sat in one position, particularly driving. A lumbar support helps a bit.

@forestftm did you get to the bottom of it.
I'm experiencing the exact same x