Life after CS

ok, so this is now 7 months after the C-Section and I know the MW said it would take a while to get any muscle tone back yadda yadda, but this is silly!
I have absolutely no strength in my lower back and end up slouching REALLY badly, same with tummy muscles. It even hurts to lay flat (kinda like Sciatica but in a different place).

I've been REALLY lazy exercise wise, I just can't seem to find the time between baby, work, nappy demos, family etc.

Anyways, last October I signed up for a yoga class thinking this would help me - I honestly think it made my back worse. I did what you're supposed to do and told the tutor about the CS and bless him the poor guy didn't even know what a CS was (limited english). I did that for a couple of weeks and gave it up after numerous failed attempts at trying to lift my legs off the mat whilst lying on my back!)

Then I tried a Chiropractor, who said that my tailbone had been damaged and was probably due to Caitlin getting stuck. Long story short I'd have to go to see them twice a week for at least a year before I saw any improvement, we're talking $45 a session!
I can't afford to do that even if you all bought nappies from me

So I thought I'd try to do some back strengthening exercises or something. I've signed up with another yoga tutor who I saw a couple of years ago (She stopped teaching due to being PG) and I think she would understand me problem better.

I was just wondering if anyone else had issues with their backs after a CS? Is it just down to traumatic labour? or the Epi? and why doesn't ACC help out with this kinda thing?

i get a sore back and spazums in my back alot, although can also be cause by my crohns. where my scar is it is still numb.
it doesn't seem right that you get that much pain.

Toni, totally unbiased of course () but maybe you could see a womens health physio. They should be able to help work on your muscle tone and also help with the back pain. Plus they are experienced in all things pregnancy/post-natal related so should be a bit more specialised than a regular physio/chiro/yoga etc.

Hope you find something that helps because it does sound like something is not right - 7 months is s long time.

My scar is still a little but other than that I've had no problems, unless you count a floppy belly!!

Hope you get it all sorted out soon!

I had a c-section as well. I really say I had an extremely good gynao and had really limited pain. But my back was killing me. They tried a spinal at 2 different places,6 times. An hour later they gave up and decided general is the way to go.

It took a year to get over that pain. Next time they must just knock me out.

Maybe try Pilates as well. Bit different from Yoga and in my opinion a bit better on your back. It works your core muscles a bit more as well. (my opinion anyway).

I didn't have a c sect or epi but found that my back and pelvis were still so sore like in pregnancy for months after so it might not even be the c sect. Sorry I have no ideas for you but hope it gets sorted for ya.

I too had pains for about 6 weeks afterwards, and my scar took aaaaaaaaaaaaages to heal, and got all weepy and terribly attractive It's only been recently that I have started to get feeling back in my lower tummy but like Aimee and Lu say, if you are worried then for sure get it checked out. I think, and those who may feel otherwise correct me if I am wrong, but after a c-section things are always going to be a bit different.... down there.... in fact, I imagine that is true for all mothers!!

If you go to a physio you can fill out ACC form there - dont need a GP referral anymore. There is usually a hospital physio interested in womens health - I tried looked at the waitakere hospital website but it wasnt working.

ph 534 8895 0r 021 187 3131 re the pamphlets or email suemcgehan@ihug.co.nz

A swiss ball might help, Toni, even if you just sit on it every night!

My lower back is extremely painful to the touch like if DH pushes too deeply if he massages it. I just put that down to being pregnant and everything sort of falling out of alignment. I should see a chiro too but again, the money thing.