Epidural regret HELP!!

[BusyBeeMummy1]

Hey MNers

Background: gave birth a year ago to DS via emergency c section after me and baby contracted suspected sepsis during early labour.

Any advice or suggestions, a year on and im due back to work next month when DS is 13 months. Will be very busy working in central london but ever since my labour i get backache :(. Mainly if im tired, walking too much, or standing too much etc. Basically when i extert myself more than the average day. Really worried this will be a permanent thing and wanted to know if you had any experiences if post epidural lower back ache and any remedies or exercises you could suggest.(not painkillers or hot water bottles) I worry also as DS is getting heavier etc too

Thanks

Midwife here...Back ache following labour is not usually linked to epidurals..common misconception. When you are pregnant, your back muscles and posture adjust to carrying the extra weight on your front over six months or so. When you give birth, the extra weight disappears quite quickly and so your posture corrects but your muscles don't adjust as quickly resulting in back pain. It happens to a large number of women irrespective of analgesia used in labour. I would speak to your GP and all for a physio referral... It is the best way for a long term solution.

@chocolateandredwine Really, thats interesting I heard all sorts of horror stories regarding epidurals but on the other hand loads of women were absoulutely fine with it. I will defo get onto my GP xx

I second that; I had 2 epidurals and no back pain. What helped was exercises to tighten tummy muscles. So for example, lie flat on back with knees bent and lift knees slightly pulling in tummy at same time.

Hi @BusyBeeMummy1
It could very well be that what you need is a physio to strengthen your core muscles. I'd go to your GP and ask to be referred.
Depending on what the physio finds, I think there's a good chance you'll be enrolled for hospital pilates.
If this is indeed the problem, they good news is that muscles take around 3 months of work to strengthen, so not too long.
If you are breastfeeding, the hormones loosen all ligaments and it takes a while after you stop to get back to normal. That might be a factor too.
Best going to get checked.

Pilates! A good, physio-led, gentle one.

It’s more likely to be muscular, skeletal or a mix.
See your GP
Check for diastasis recti (google it, loads of info online) and if you have a significant separation take that into account when exercising. Lots of conventional excercises will make it worse. Mutu system, or restore your core both get good feedback for closing gaps and strengthening the core.
Work on your core strength (with caveats as above.)
See an osteopath or physio who specialises in women’s health.

@muesli and @bowl thanks for the suggestions. I cant afford private pilates classes rn their so expensive in our area BUT my gym does yoga twice a week, would that help? Also if i get referred to physio should my employer pay me for that time if an appointment were to fall into working hours?