Tailbone pain and childbirth, labor and delivery

I have treated many women whose tailbone pain began during pregnancy or while giving birth (during labor and delivery).

Some of these women ask me what they should do if they are considering another pregnancy.

I sometimes advise those patients to speak with their obstetricians/gynecologists regarding considering C-section for their next pregnancy. A cesarean section (C-section) delivers the baby through  a surgical incision at the lower abdomen. This way, the baby does not need to pass through the pelvic birth canal.

The rationale for considering a C-section is that a repeat vaginal birth would probably exacerbate the woman’s coccydynia.

I would not be so dogmatic to say that any subsequent childbirth/delivery should ONLY be via C-section. But, I would say that delivery by C-section would be medically indicated and reasonable in hopes of minimizing the chance of childbirth/delivery-related worsening of her coccyx pain.

This is especially worth considering in cases where  prior onset of coccyx pain was via childbirth/delivery.

Another factor is whether the woman has persistent anatomic abnormalities (such as unstable joint of the tailbone, diagnosed by sitting/seated x-rays of the tailbone).

Unstable joint of the tailbone may become worse during the increased ligament laxity (looseness of the ligaments) during later pregnancy.

Also, during labor/delivery the woman should avoid prolonged coccyx pressure (which often happens to a woman who spends significant time in the semi-reclined position during labor).

Patrick Foye, M.D.

Founder and Director at The Tailbone Pain Center
Tailbone Pain Tip 7, PREGNANCY and CHILDBIRTH Can Cause or Worsen COCCYX PAIN, Tailbone Pain, Coccydynia
Tailbone Pain Tip 7, PREGNANCY and CHILDBIRTH Can Cause or Worsen COCCYX PAIN, Tailbone Pain, Coccydynia

COME FOR RELIEF: For more information on coccyx pain, or to be evaluated in-person by Dr. Foye’s Coccyx Pain Center in the United States, go to: www.TailboneDoctor.com

– Patrick Foye, M.D., Director of the Tailbone Pain Center, New Jersey, United States.

Patrick Foye, M.D.
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