Preventing damage to the pelvic bones: Managing the weight and size of the foetus through a healthier lifestyle and diet would help, said Dr Chong, adding that controlling the size of the baby’s head, to the extent possible, can also prevent damage to the pelvic bones.
The method of delivery plays a part too, he said. Should the baby be too large for a vaginal birth, mums may opt for a Caesarean section.
Treating the injury: Minor injuries, such as bruising, which causes a dull ache in the pelvic region, usually heal on their own with adequate rest during the confinement period. It may take six to eight weeks for the mother to recover, Dr Chong said.
However, Dr Chong noted that in cases of severe injury where mums experience fractures or broken bones, an orthopaedic surgeon or a bone specialist may be consulted, and surgery may be needed to realign the bones.
Fractures usually take around six months to heal, during which women may experience slight pain in the groin, hip or lower back, which can worsen while walking.
To recover well, Dr Chong discouraged mums from engaging in strenuous activities like running or jumping as it may delay the healing process or aggravate the existing injury.
4. TAILBONE INJURIES
What they are: The tailbone, also known as the coccyx, is a small bone that helps to support the weight of the upper body when you’re sitting down and serves as a point of balance when you stand upright. In women, it is at the base of the birth canal.
As a woman goes through labour, pressure from the baby’s head can bruise, fracture or, in rare cases, dislocate the mother’s tailbone, Dr Chong explained.
In mild cases, the bruising can cause a dull, aching pain at the bottom of the spine. In more severe cases, the woman may experience constant lower back pain that worsens when sitting down and when standing up from a sitting position.