Lockdown Baby = Lockdown Mummy
A Lockdown Baby Also Means A Lockdown Mummy
Having a baby is a huge change for any mother and comes with challenges at the best of times. But these are not the best of times. Everything is different in lockdown. And lockdown is bringing additional challenges.
Postnatal support is vital, but sadly what we might have expected, or need, is not currently possible. Every new mum is missing out on support from family, friends and their community. It’s just not the same showing off your beautiful new baby to everyone on Zoom!
With so many mixed emotions, it’s easy to neglect ourselves. I have met so many new mothers that have been struggling with recovery from pregnancy and childbirth. Doing it without the support of your new mum friends can feel really isolating. If you’re not feeling physically good, then all of this becomes much harder to deal with.
It doesn’t have to be this way
One lady I met recently had suffered back pain and ‘weird sensations’ over her C- section scar and little leaks of urine occasionally when she sneezes. She’s been trying to go out for walks every day, a lifeline for the lockdown mum, but it was all just too uncomfortable.
We’ve had a series of sessions concentrating on strengthening her pelvic floor which put a stop to the leaks. This is important as although it was not a huge issue, dealing with it early prevented it becoming a real problem a few years down the line. We also worked on her scar tissue, which has softened and is no longer painful. Incidentally treating the scar helped relieve the back pain too, (adhesions from scars can pull and refer pain to different parts of the body). Apparently coming to see me is the highlight of her week! I’m flattered… but I know it’s really because she barely sees anyone else. However, during our treatment sessions we have a good chat and a bit of a laugh, tonic for the soul!
I’m not just here to make parts of your body feel better, I believe you can’t treat people in pieces. You come in to see me as a whole person and that includes supporting you emotionally as well as physically. Now she can go for walks in the park and wave at others, from a safe distance, in comfort.
Don’t mention the S word…
Ouch! Will this ever feel good again? Good? How many would just settle for ‘not making me wince with pain’, let alone actually feeling good! Sadly, I am talking about the never spoken about subject of painful sex following childbirth. Believe it or not, this IS actually a ‘thing’ and it is pretty common too. But, just because it’s common doesn’t make it normal and certainly doesn’t mean you have to live with it forever.
We often hear mums comparing notes on feeding, sleep deprivation, nappies (and their contents), teething, prams, slings, etc… I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone open up about sex post-delivery, or more likely the lack of it. Now it’s normal if that’s due to tiredness or new routines making it difficult to find the time, but it’s a whole other story if the reason for avoiding it, is because of pain, discomfort or even just the fear of it. This can have a negative affect, not only on you, but your confidence and also your relationship. Many women have an episiotomy during vaginal delivery and some sustain varying degrees of tear. If you’ve had stitches do you ever worry you’ve been stitched up too tight or not tight enough?
Vaginal and perineal scar tissue can be really uncomfortable. Lubrication can help hugely, especially if you are breast feeding as that can make you extra dry. But, painful scars can be successfully treated, it’s not just something you have to put up with after having baby.
Success!
One of the first ladies I treated when I became a women’s health physiotherapist had been suffering with painful scar tissue from a perineal tear for 4 years. She had not been able to even attempt to have sex since the delivery and did not think that anything could be done about it. Thankfully she built up the courage to tell a nurse during a routine smear who referred her to physiotherapy.
We did a course of treatment to address the pain and soften the scar. Was it successful? Well, she came to see me for a follow up 3 months later and she was pregnant! Successful? I’d call that a pretty definitive ‘yes’!
If you would like more information or to make an appointment to see Louise, please visit our website or email the clinic.
Read our next article “Your Guide to Foam Rolling” and master physiotherapist Ange’s rolling routine.
