Oh Holy Tailbone

I can’t figure out if this baby has it in for me, my tolerance for pain has decreased, or subsequent pregnancies are just harder.  But I can say this:  my tailbone feels shattered! 

The past few days have been really uncomfortable for me which is quite frightening considering I still have 13 weeks left to go!  I wasn’t really sure what was making my tailbone feel this way but I could only assume that the baby was putting pressure on it.  Upon reading online, I found articles that explained what I was feeling.

Causes of Coccydynia During Pregnancy

“During pregnancy, the body produces a hormone called "relaxin," which helps various muscles and ligaments in the pelvis to relax in preparation for labor. Relaxin also causes the ligaments connecting the coccyx to the spine to loosen, allowing the coccyx to shift. While a flexible coccyx is useful for childbirth, having it shifting around prior to childbirth can cause pain, particularly if the baby's head is pressing down upon it.”

Bingo.

Symptoms

“The symptoms of coccydynia vary greatly. Coccydynia sufferers often have a sharp pain in the tailbone while sitting; the sensation may be akin to sitting on a marble, or, in acute cases, on a knife. Coccydynia sufferers may also experience very sharp pain in the tailbone while moving from a seated position to standing, or feel shooting pains down the leg. Some sufferers do not have acute pain, but merely feel a deep ache around the tailbone.”

Spot on.

Natural Pain Relief

“Pregnant women with tailbone pain should try to avoid sitting for long periods, and when sitting, use a cushion to lessen pressure on the coccyx. Massages of the tailbone may also help relieve pain, as can warm baths and applying ice or heat to the area. Certain yoga poses, particularly the cat position, can also provide relief, as it may help shift the baby off of the tailbone. In some cases, a chiropractor may be able to help by gently shifting the coccyx to a more comfortable position.”

So, my question is….how in the world do I avoid prolonged sitting when I have a desk job!  :)