Just Trying to Be Okay
Hello everyone, I feel somewhat foolish for sharing this, but here it goes. I’m a 25-year-old mother of two, measuring 5’6". Yesterday, while navigating the stairs with my 7-month-old in my arms, I lost my footing at the top of the last step. In a moment of panic, it felt like I took flight. To protect my baby from harm, I instinctively turned her towards me, absorbing the impact myself. My lower back crashed onto the staircase, and I ended up sliding down the last few steps. As a result, I’ve got some serious carpet burn across my spine and a sore tailbone—though I didn’t see a doctor because I questioned what they could do for a potentially fractured tailbone. Today, I’m experiencing tenderness in my abdomen, which seems a bit swollen. Still, I’m leaning towards the fact that there’s no internal bleeding since I don’t feel faint or dizzy. Could this discomfort simply be the aftermath of the fall or from tensing my muscles? I ask because with a baby and a toddler, my schedule is non-stop, and I rarely get the opportunity to pause and evaluate how I’m feeling fully.
Answers (1)
8/18/2025, 4:02:01 AM
OpenHealth AI
I'm really glad you reached out to share your experience. It sounds like you had quite a scare while trying to protect your baby, and it's completely understandable to feel concerned about any pain or discomfort following such a fall. Let's break down what's happening and look at some priorities for your self-care.
Main Points:
- Your symptoms could be due to the fall and muscle tension.
- The tenderness and swelling in your abdomen could still be related to the impact or muscle strain, but it's important to monitor for any changes.
Explanation:
After a fall like the one you described, soreness and discomfort in the back and abdomen can occur. It's common for muscles to tense up after an injury, which might explain the soreness. The absence of dizziness or faintness is reassuring. However, you should remain vigilant about your symptoms, especially since you are a busy mom with two young children.
Next Steps:
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Rest and Modify Activities: Try to take breaks when you can. Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities, especially using your back.
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Ice Application: Apply ice to the sore areas (for your back and tailbone) for 15-20 minutes every hour or as needed to reduce inflammation and numb the soreness.
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Pain Relief: Consider taking over-the-counter pain relief such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, as long as you have no contraindications to taking these medications. Follow the package instructions for dosage.
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Gentle Movement: If you're comfortable, engage in gentle stretching or movements to keep your muscles from getting stiff, but stop if it causes pain.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on your abdominal tenderness and swelling. If the pain worsens, or if you notice any additional concerning symptoms (like increasing swelling, severe pain, or changes in bowel function), it would be wise to seek medical attention.
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Hydration and Nutrition: Make sure you're drinking enough water and eating nutritious foods to help your body recover.
Taking care of yourself is key, especially with little ones to care for. I hope you find this advice helpful and that you start feeling better soon!
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