Ergonomics for New Moms
Did you get lower back pain during pregnancy? Do you still have it after giving birth? Lower back pain is the most common musculoskeletal complaint among expecting moms, and it has significant mental health implications. When chronic pain sticks around and limits your ability to engage in meaningful activities, mental health tends to suffer. This is true for anyone, but pregnant and newly delivered mothers are particularly susceptible as they are dealing with fluctuating hormones, fatigue, increased parenting demands, and a body trying to grow a baby or repair itself after baby.
Back pain occurs in pregnancy for a couple of reasons: an increase in blood and fluid occurs during pregnancy to nourish baby, but it also causes swelling... swollen feet, swollen legs, and even swelling tissue pushing on nerves and joints. This in and of itself can cause pain, but when you consider the excess weight and changing center of gravity moms experience during pregnancy...it makes sense that their back overarches into a deep C-shape (lordotic posture). Unfortunately, this position causes more back and hip pain, exacerbating an already swollen situation.
Likewise, the second most common musculoskeletal complaint during the maternal period is wrist pain (often paired with thumb pain). The increase of fluids that causes back pain also causes wrist pain, and many moms develop carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy. Then after pregnancy, increased child care tasks such as breast or bottle feeding lead to repetitive use injuries that can cause permanent damage--resulting in surgery and mental health issues. Luckily, there are ways to prevent this outcome.
Occupational therapists can provide you with preventative advice and assessments to ensure your lower back and wrists stay in tip-top shape...along with your mental health. Watch this video to learn more...and remember, talk to your doctor if you are experiencing pain. It's easier to treat it early on with physical and occupational therapy and wrist/back braces--which can prevent permanent damage and chronic pain.
