Postpartum Back Pain & Weakness After C-Section: A Mother's Story

Question
Hi

I am a mother of a 1 year old boy.However I had a terrible time during my pregnancy.
I had a miscarriage earlier and conceived shortly after that, then had a cervical cerclage at the very end of 4th month.I carried my baby at almost 1-2 cms from my cervix for the rest 5 months.Then at 38th week got a C-section.

However, I had been very active throughout my pregnancy and after the C-section too.I breastfed my baby successfully and am still feeding him, however didn't lose any weight.Instead I've gained a bit. I'm 5'-4" and weigh 65 Kg, which is quite much for me.Should I consult an endocrinologist,since I'm very lifestyle conscious, so no eating issues.What do you suggest?

Now my back aches alot and I feel fatigued muscles even when I wake up in the morning.I was not able to exercise at all because my back bone dialated in the opposite direction when I had the cerclage and it stuck in my back muscles,so cant lay down on hard surface like floor.Now my back is much better but my muscles are still very loose and shabby.please tell me some exercise or any medicines to get back in shape.I had read about Xenical.Would it be okay if I add medicine with exercise to lose postpartum weight?

Thanks.

Hanna.

Answer
For weight loss, I recommend that you follow the three 80% rules:
1. Make 80% of your daily caloric intake the highest quality foods.
2. Serve yourself just 80% of what you would normally take.
3. Stop eating when you feel just 80% full.
Eating this way you will slowly loose weight without "dieting" and develop healthy habits that will last a lifetime, ones that you will then pass on to your children.
A few other eating tips:
1. Eat dinner off of a lunch plate.
2. When eating a high quality food that is also high density, like nuts or organic granola, measure your serving size to make sure that you are not unintentionally eating too much.
3. Don't consume liquid calories, with the exception of skim or low fat milk.

I do not advise weight loss drugs or nutritional supplements. Xenical blocks the absorption of fats and is used to treat obesity. While you are above your ideal weight, you are not obese. Fats are a necessary part of our diets, and keep our brains and nervous systems healthy. The "good" fats, like olive oil, nut oils, fish oils, and canola oil, should be a part of everyone's regular intake. Instead of reaching for a pill, learn to eat healthy, in the proper amount for your metabolism.

As to exercise, your tailbone should have moved back into proper positioning by now. If you believe that the problem still continues, consult with an orthopedist or chiropractor who specializes in pre and post natal problems.

You need to start rebuilding core strength and stability in your torso. Step one is to build A LOT of strength into your deepest abdominal muscle, your Transverse Abdominis, or TvA. Then after this muscle has a basic foundation of strength, do postpartum exercises that focus on training the muscle to function properly as a stabilizer.

For an exercise system to rebuild your core, go to:
http://befitmom.com/abdominal_reconditioning.html

One more tip:
Buy a few pieces of clothing that fit and flatter the body you have now. When you look in the mirror, you'll like what you see, feel better about yourself, and that will motivate you to make the lifestyle choices that will help you achieve your goals.