Does natural childbirth cause lumbar disc? In general, lumbar disc and natural childbirth have a lot to do with each other, but natural childbirth alone is not the direct cause of lumbar disc formation; But in some cases, it can aggravate back problems, especially in women who had weak spine before pregnancy. In some cases, people who have severe and persistent back pain after giving birth may need a closer examination. In elderly people who suffer from degeneration of intervertebral discs, lumbar disc surgery for elderly people may finally be necessary to reduce pain and improve quality of life. Adhering to the correct movement principles and appropriate exercises after childbirth can prevent these problems. *Dr. Nicholas E. Dr. Nicholas E. Schroeder, spine and neurosurgery specialist:* > "Although natural childbirth is a physiological process, its intense pressures can aggravate or even initiate lumbar disc symptoms in predisposed women. Awareness, physical preparation and follow-up of supportive treatments after childbirth play a vital role in maintaining spine health." Causes of lumbar disc after normal delivery Lumbar disc after natural childbirth is one of the problems that many mothers face after the birth of a baby, but they often confuse it with natural pains after childbirth. Knowing the main causes of this condition can help in prevention, faster diagnosis and more effective treatment. In the table below, the most important causes of lumbar disc after natural childbirth are presented along with brief explanations. Paying attention to these factors and modifying the lifestyle after childbirth can play an important role in preventing lumbar disc herniation and reducing its severity. Lumbar disc symptoms after normal delivery In the following, you will see the most important symptoms of lumbar disc after natural childbirth with complete explanations. These symptoms may appear gradually or suddenly and vary depending on the severity of the injury: 1. Continuous or intermittent back pain; One of the most common symptoms is a feeling of pain in the lower back, which may be aggravated by prolonged sitting, bending, or physical activity. This pain is usually caused by compression of the intervertebral disc. 2. Dissemination of pain to the legs (sciatica); If the protruding disc puts pressure on the root of the sciatic nerve, the pain spreads from the lower back to the hip, thigh, and even the leg. This pain can be sharp, burning or throbbing. 3. Numbness and tingling in the lower limbs; Nerve compression may cause numbness, tingling, or tingling in the legs or soles of the feet, usually on one side of the body. 4. Muscle weakness in legs or hips; In more severe cases, weakness in leg muscle control or decreased ability to stand and walk for long periods is observed. This condition requires immediate medical evaluation. 5. Increased pain when coughing, sneezing or straining; These sudden movements increase intra-abdominal pressure and, in case of disc herniation, significantly aggravate the pain. 6. Reducing the flexibility of the spine; People may feel that their ability to bend or turn their back is limited and that everyday movements become difficult. 7. Pain when sitting or standing for a long time; Lumbar disc makes sitting or standing for long periods of time uncomfortable and the person unconsciously seeks to change the position. If these symptoms occur after delivery, it is highly recommended to see a spine specialist or physiotherapist. Early diagnosis and timely treatment is the key to prevent this condition from becoming chronic. Lumbar disc treatment caused by natural childbirth Lumbar disc after natural childbirth is one of the problems that some mothers experience; Especially in cases where there is a lot of pressure on the spine during childbirth or a history of disc herniation before pregnancy. Although this condition can cause chronic pain, movement limitation and disruption in daily activities, fortunately there are many effective and non-surgical treatment methods to improve it. If you are looking for practical solutions to reduce pain and get back to normal life, be sure to check out the following: - **purposeful rest**; Avoiding heavy activities and sudden movements helps reduce the pressure on the lumbar discs. - **Physiotherapy exercises;** Specific strengthening and stretching exercises for the *blind* muscles (central muscles of the body) and *pelvis*, under the supervision of a physiotherapist, are one of the safest and most effective methods. - **Massage therapy;** Scientific massage techniques can reduce muscle tension around the spine and improve blood circulation in the affected area. - **Using heat or cold;** Hot compress helps to reduce muscle dryness and cold compress helps to reduce inflammation and pain. - **Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);** such as ibuprofen, can be used to control pain and inflammation only with a doctor's prescription, during breastfeeding or as needed. - **alternative treatments;** such as *dry needling*, *transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)* or ***lifestyle modification;** including observing the correct sitting position, sleeping and avoiding hunching, which is very effective in preventing the recurrence of pain.* Timely follow-up of treatment and taking advantage of the advice of a spine specialist or physiotherapist is the key to regaining full health after a natural delivery. The importance of paying attention to the lumbar disc during pregnancy and childbirth The importance of paying attention to the lumbar disc during pregnancy cannot be ignored; Because according to the research published in the *American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology*, about *50 to 70%* of pregnant women experience some degree of back pain and nearly *10%* of them suffer from a herniated or protruding intervertebral disc. This condition, if not treated, can lead to compression of the sciatic nerve, impaired motor function, or even in rare cases, cauda equina syndrome, which is considered an emergency situation. Also, according to *Spine Journal* statistics, women who ignore lumbar disc symptoms during pregnancy are *3 times* more likely to have a difficult delivery or need a cesarean section.