Tailbone pain is a common symptom of pregnancy due to pressure from the growing baby on the spine, hips, and tailbone. Treatment options are limited due to medication safety concerns, but chiropractic care, exercise, and using cushions can help relieve pain. Severe cases may require inducing labor or bed rest.
Tailbone pain and pregnancy are linked for many women because back and tailbone pain are a common symptom of pregnancy. The pain can be mild or severe, and treatment options are often limited as many medications are not recommended for pregnant women. Women who have had tailbone pain before pregnancy may have more pronounced symptoms and more acute discomfort. Very rarely, severe bone damage can occur during delivery.
The link between tailbone pain and pregnancy is because the growing baby puts pressure on a woman’s spine, hips, and tailbone. This can cause severe discomfort and make sitting distressing. Symptoms can be particularly pronounced in those who have office jobs where sitting for long hours is required. These women may find that sitting on a wedge- or donut-shaped pillow relieves some of the pain.
There are a few treatment options that women can try to help relieve tailbone pain and pregnancy-related bone dislocation or discomfort. Chiropractic care can relieve pain in some women by aligning the bones into the correct positions. A gynecologist or midwife may also try to turn the baby so that his head puts less pressure on his tailbone. This is often the least effective as the child can return to the previous position.
Medications may also be used, although the selection is often limited because many medications are unsafe for use during pregnancy. Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen are usually fine in moderation, but others, like aspirin, should be avoided. Muscle rubs and creams may be beneficial for some women and are generally fine during pregnancy.
Tailbone pain and pregnancy-related discomfort can be relieved or decreased with frequent exercise. This not only takes some of the pressure off the bone, but also sometimes helps move the baby into a more comfortable position for the mother. Women should also avoid sitting for long periods of time when they can, although this can be difficult. When sitting down is unavoidable, a cushion should always be used.
If the pain becomes severe and walking becomes difficult, some doctors may consider inducing labor once the baby’s lungs have matured. This is typically reserved for cases where all other treatment options have not relieved the pain. Sometimes a woman is put on bed rest to avoid putting pressure on the tailbone.
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