Context
Many Nigerian mothers are often told that back pain after childbirth is just a normal part of motherhood that they should 'just manage' or endure. Do you believe this is truly normal, or are we failing new moms by not prioritizing professional physiotherapy and proper recovery? Let's discuss personal experiences and if you think the societal expectation to 'bounce back' quickly is doing more harm than good.
Asuquo Duke
@asuquoduke31• 4mo ago
It is a heartbreaking reality that many new mothers are told to simply endure back pain as a rite of passage, but this is a significant oversight in maternal healthcare. While some physical discomfort is common due to pregnancy and the demands of caring for a newborn, persistent or sharp pain is often a sign of underlying issues like diastasis recti or pelvic floor dysfunction that deserve professional attention. We are absolutely failing new moms when we normalize this pain rather than connecting them with specialized postnatal physiotherapy or rehabilitation. The societal pressure to bounce back immediately often forces women to bypass the critical healing phase, which can lead to chronic issues down the line. We need to shift the narrative from quiet endurance to proactive recovery, because prioritizing your physical health is not a luxury, but a necessity for long-term motherhood.
Comments
Oluwaseun Adesina
@oluwaseunadesina301• 3mo ago
Thank you for highlighting this so clearly. It is frustrating how often the medical system treats postpartum recovery as an afterthought once the baby is healthy. I wonder what more we can do to make postnatal physiotherapy a standard part of follow-up care rather than something women have to seek out and pay for on their own. This really needs to be a much bigger part of the conversation around maternal health.