Tailbone Pain in Pregnancy: Why Sitting Can Suddenly Hurt
Struggling to sit when pregnant?
Is your tailbone suddenly sore during pregnancy?
Perhaps sitting at your desk has become uncomfortable, getting in and out of the car hurts, or you find yourself constantly shifting position to take the pressure off your bottom.
Tailbone pain during pregnancy can be surprisingly uncomfortable and can make everyday activities that you normally don't think twice about much more difficult.
The good news is that you don't necessarily have to put up with it for the rest of your pregnancy.
As a pregnancy osteopath in Milford, Auckland, I work with women experiencing tailbone pain, pelvic pain, lower back pain and other pregnancy-related aches and pains, adapting treatment to your stage of pregnancy and your individual needs.
What is the tailbone?
Your tailbone, also known as the coccyx, is the small bony structure at the very bottom of your spine.
It sits at the base of your pelvis and is connected to a number of muscles and ligaments around the pelvis and pelvic floor.
During pregnancy, changes to your posture, pelvis and the way you move can alter the forces going through this area.
As your baby grows, you may also find yourself sitting differently or leaning backwards to accommodate your bump.
All of these changes can contribute to coccyx pain during pregnancy.
What does tailbone pain during pregnancy feel like?
Tailbone pain can feel different from person to person.
You may experience:
An ache directly over your tailbone
Sharp pain when sitting down
Pain when getting up from a chair
Tenderness at the base of your spine
Pain after sitting for a long time
Pain when leaning backwards
Discomfort when driving
Pain when changing position
Aching through your lower back or buttocks
Pain that feels worse after a busy day
Sometimes the pain is very localised around the coccyx. Other times, it can be accompanied by discomfort through the lower back, hips or pelvis.
Why can pregnancy cause tailbone pain?
Pregnancy changes the way your body carries and distributes weight.
As your bump grows, your centre of gravity changes and you may naturally adjust your posture.
Your pelvis, hips and lower back are also adapting to the increasing demands of pregnancy.
These changes can alter the amount of pressure placed through the tailbone and surrounding tissues.
Hormonal changes also affect the ligaments around your pelvis, allowing your body to adapt as pregnancy progresses.
And if you're spending more time sitting because you're tired, working at a desk or simply trying to find somewhere comfortable to rest, your coccyx may be getting more pressure than it is used to.
What everyday activities can tailbone pain make difficult?
Tailbone pain isn't just uncomfortable when you're sitting down. It can affect surprisingly many parts of your day.
Sitting at work
If your job involves sitting at a desk, you may find that your tailbone becomes increasingly sore as the day goes on.
You may constantly be shifting your weight from one side to the other trying to find a comfortable position.
Driving
Getting into the car and sitting for the duration of a journey can be uncomfortable, particularly on longer drives.
Getting up from a chair
You may find that standing up after sitting for a while causes a sharp or aching pain through your tailbone.
Getting in and out of bed
Changing position or moving from lying to sitting can aggravate discomfort through your pelvis and coccyx.
Sitting down to eat
Even something as simple as sitting at the dinner table can become uncomfortable.
Working from the sofa
You may think the sofa will be more comfortable, only to discover that certain positions put even more pressure through your tailbone.
Looking after older children
Pregnancy doesn't mean everyday life stops.
You may still be sitting on the floor playing with your children, helping them with shoes, reading stories or getting them ready for school.
Getting back up again can be the difficult part!
How can an osteopath help with tailbone pain during pregnancy?
When you come to see me, we'll start by talking about your symptoms and how they're affecting your everyday life.
I'll assess your movement and look at your lower back, pelvis, hips and surrounding muscles and joints, considering how these areas are working together.
Depending on your individual presentation, osteopathic treatment may include gentle soft tissue techniques, joint mobilisation, articulation, stretching and other appropriate hands-on techniques.
Treatment is adapted to your stage of pregnancy and your comfort.
I take a whole-body approach, rather than simply focusing on the point where you feel the pain.
For example, changes in your hips, pelvis or lower back may influence the way you sit and move, which can affect the tissues around your tailbone.
By looking at how everything is working together, we can develop a treatment approach that's appropriate for you.
What can you do for tailbone pain during pregnancy?
Small changes to the way you sit and move may help reduce irritation around your coccyx.
You could try:
Change position regularly.
Try not to stay sitting in exactly the same position for long periods.
Take regular movement breaks.
If you're working at a desk, get up and move around regularly.
Experiment with your sitting position.
You may find that sitting slightly forward rather than leaning backwards reduces pressure on your tailbone.
Use appropriate support.
A suitable cushion may help reduce direct pressure on the coccyx.
Keep moving.
Gentle movement can be preferable to spending long periods sitting still, provided it feels comfortable for you.
Listen to your symptoms.
If a particular position consistently makes your pain worse, try modifying it rather than repeatedly pushing through.
Can I still exercise with tailbone pain?
Often, yes.
You don't necessarily need to stop exercising because your tailbone is sore.
Depending on your symptoms, you may simply need to modify activities that place pressure directly through the coccyx or that aggravate your pain.
Walking, swimming and other pregnancy-appropriate activities may be more comfortable than prolonged sitting.
If you're unsure about what exercise is suitable for you, particularly if you're experiencing significant pain, speak with your midwife, GP or another appropriate healthcare professional.
When should I see an osteopath for tailbone pain?
You don't have to wait until the pain becomes severe.
Consider getting your tailbone pain assessed if it is affecting:
Sitting at work
Driving
Sleeping
Getting in and out of bed
Getting up from a chair
Exercise
Looking after your children
Walking
Your ability to enjoy everyday activities
Pregnancy can be uncomfortable enough without adding persistent tailbone pain to the list.
If you're struggling, it's worth getting some support.
When should I speak to my midwife or doctor?
Tailbone pain is often musculoskeletal, but it's important to have unusual, severe or persistent pregnancy pain assessed.
Speak with your midwife, GP or another appropriate healthcare professional if you have severe or worsening pain, pain following an injury, numbness or weakness, changes to bladder or bowel function, bleeding, contractions, fever or any other symptoms that concern you.
Pregnancy osteopathy in Milford, Auckland
I'm Sarah, a pregnancy and postpartum osteopath in Milford, Auckland, and a mum of two.
I've been working clinically for more than 10 years, with more than 8 years specialising in pregnancy and postpartum care.
I understand that pregnancy can change the way your body feels in ways you weren't expecting — and that seemingly small problems like tailbone pain can have a surprisingly big impact on your day.
My approach is warm, practical and individualised. I'll listen to what's bothering you, understand which activities are becoming difficult and tailor your treatment to your stage of pregnancy.
Whether you're experiencing tailbone pain in pregnancy, coccyx pain, pelvic pain, lower back pain or hip pain, you don't have to simply accept that discomfort as part of being pregnant.
Struggling with tailbone pain?
If sitting, driving, sleeping or simply getting comfortable has become difficult, I'd love to help.
Book an appointment with me in Milford, Auckland, and we'll work together to help you move and sit more comfortably throughout your pregnancy.
You deserve to feel comfortable and supported while your body is doing something pretty amazing.
