Coccyx pain

[Catsize]

Hello. I had very bad SPD with first pregnancy - wheelchair and bed for eight weeks at the end. Took about two years to start to feel normalish again. Now due in Feb with 2nd, amd whilst the grinding pain of SPD hasn't been so bad this time (symptoms from six weeks and wheelchair has had a few outings though), for a few weeks, have had coccyx pain from hell. Have a decent osteopath, decent memory foam mattress and wheat bags etc. Just wondering if any of you had this and whether birth caused further pain to coccyx, or relief? I know that the coccyx can be damaged in childbirth. All info/top tips gratefully received!

Are you sure it's your coccyx and not pregnancy related sacro-iliac joint dysfunction?

I had bad coccyx pain early in pregnancy (around the 7 week mark) but after seeing an antenatal physio and doing the exercises she suggested I've seen a lot of improvement. I do still get twinges and have had to give up spinning class because of the bike seats but at 32 weeks it's much much better. The physio said that giving birth won't necessarily cause further problems so I am keeping on with the exercises and hoping she's right.

inpusuit, this is possible. It has been my sacro-iliac joint that physios etc were excited about after my first pregnancy, and which showed mild degeneration on CT scan etc. However, when I said to my osteopath I was struggling with my coccyx, she didn't gainsay it. Also, feels just like I have fallen flat on my bum on the ice or something. And I can feel the little bones crunching when I stand etc (nice!). cariad, good to hear a positive story, thank you. :-) Have been unable to access physio. Long and dull story about NHS boundaries, but may try and find a private one. Might be too late now though. I understand physio fairly limited at this stage of pregnancy.

If it is SI pain you have all my sympathy because it is a bastard!!! Worse still there isn't a great deal you can do about it until after the birth.
Definitely find a good physio who has dealt with this sort of pain before. I was lucky enough to find one who specialises in pregnancy related disorders so even in the final few weeks she was great! See if you can get a pelvic support belt designed for SI joint dysfunction. Pretty they ain't but used properly they do help slow down deterioration.
I also saw a private back pain specialist doctor. His advice was to absolutely not push your self either. I enjoy swimming but he advised me to stop. Exercise can make it worse, not at the time but further down the line so you don't even know you've done the damage. He also said do not, under any circumstances go to a chiropractor or other such charlatan that might do manipulations or vigorous massage as the joint is very susceptible to further damage.
HTH!

Thanks inpursuit. My last physio specialised more in footballers than pregnancy and made the SI pain a lot worse. Swimming is a no-no with SPD anyway. Floating is okay though! Not sure all chiros are charlatans but I take your point! My osteopath has kept me so much more mobile than I was last time. She specialises in babies and pregnant women and it well worth the 2hr round trip.

Oh yeah should have pointed out that 'charlatans' was his choice of word not mine! Don't want a whole profession pissed off with me!