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Avoid and Treat New-Mom Injuries
Back when my son, Luca, was a baby, I'd tote him around on my hip while I tackled cooking, cleaning, and load after load of dirty laundry. Then one day, as I stooped to grab a toy, my back seized up. I spent the next three days recovering in bed.
For all its luminous rewards, motherhood can be hard on the body. What may start out as minor aches and pains can escalate into full-blown repetitive strain injuries. The moves moms make every day, such as hoisting baby from a crib and hunching over to breastfeed, can cause chronic irritation to the muscles, tendons or joints, according to Jill Boissonnault, Ph.D., a professor of physical therapy at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.
Physical changes due to pregnancy and delivery are part of the equation. Changes in maternal hormones loosen the tissue around joints, allowing the pelvis to widen to accommodate the baby before and during birth. The slackness remains for months after delivery, leaving joints vulnerable to strain. Pregnancy and delivery also take their toll on the abdominal and pelvic muscles, and the baby's weight pulls your center of gravity forward, often leading to a swayed back.
Repetitive strain injuries affect more than just your body: Studies have shown that untreated pain can actually make women more susceptible to postpartum depression. "These injuries can harm a woman's quality of life," says Dr. Boissonnault. "For their mental and physical health, moms need to seek treatment."
No need to stockpile pain meds and ice packs. Get the 411 on common new-mom aches, ways to avoid them, and how to feel better if you're already hurting.
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Chiropractic is the way to go.. I see mine regularly, pregnancy and labor take their own toll but caring for baby presents a whole new set of problems because it's ongoing and you pretty much NEVER get a rest. To the woman with the thumb probs, my Chiro warned me of this, do you use the same hand everytime you change your baby and hold his/her legs up with your thumb?
5/23/2011 10:53:22 AM Report AbuseI think more should be said during prenatal visits about these kinds of injuries. My baby's 3 months old, and I got De Quervain's so badly - in both wrists - that I thought I was getting Rheumatoid Arthritis and panicked! I wish, wish, wish someone had warned me about the possibility! I appreciate the suggestion about the chiropractor. I think I will go see one!
5/20/2011 04:15:39 PM Report Abuseboo on showing a bottle fed baby! breast fed moms hunch over too. probably more.
5/20/2011 04:10:17 PM Report AbuseI'm glad to know that I'm not the only one to have the wrist problem. I have noticed it much more with my current baby than I ever did with my first 3. I think it is because between the last one and this new baby I did somethings that ended up being more damaging to my tendons. Don't let this one mess up anyone else. I have a love for knitting and I want to have the use of my wrists and hands for a much longer time.
5/20/2011 01:14:06 PM Report AbuseI 100% recommend going to a Chiropractor. I had carpul tunnel in my right wrist and after one swift move (that was painless) the problem was gone!! Granted I got it treated with in a week of severe pain. I also saw a chiropractor while I was pregnant to keep my hips in line and have continued to see him since I had the baby. Ladies, having a baby wreaks havoc on our bodies. Chiropractic care is a must to help prevent a lot of the issues mentioned in this article.
5/20/2011 10:04:23 AM Report AbuseI am a new mom and I have De Quervain¿s. At the beginning I didn¿t pay too much attention to the pain, until it got worse. I used the wrist splint along with pain medication and it didn¿t help. I had an X-ray and it didn¿t show anything, then I had an MRI and the results showed that I had De Quervain¿s. The orthopedic game me a shot of steroids and I am currently getting therapy for my wrist. I now feel better!, much better! So please moms take this seriously!!
5/20/2011 09:56:24 AM Report AbuseI have sore wrist and thumb area. It is so painful!
5/4/2011 01:30:28 PM Report AbuseI am a new mom and love all the tips on how to prevent these injuries. And what to do if I end up getting one. Thanks for the advice/tips.
4/28/2011 06:22:20 PM Report Abuse