Back Pain after Childbirth: Everything You Need to Know
You finally made it through your pregnancy and now you hold your precious, beautiful baby in your arms. All those months of discomfort were worth it, weren’t they? But now, along with your baby, you are also nursing a pesky bout of back pain after childbirth.
What is postpartum back pain?
Back pain after childbirth is a very common condition that almost every 1 in 5 women experiences for three to six months after childbirth. Lower back pain is the most common type experienced, but women may also experience tailbone pain and upper back pain due to reasons such as lifting their baby or hunching while breastfeeding.
It is also possible to experience back pain after C-section delivery, as recovery from this type of delivery typically takes longer than a traditional vaginal birth. Additionally, extended periods of rest and inactivity after surgery can weaken the core muscles and lead to back pain.
What causes postpartum back pain?
Many of the same causes that were contributing to your back pain during pregnancy, might still be contributing to your achy back now.
During pregnancy, several factors can contribute to your back pain. As the uterus (womb) expands, it can stretch and weaken the abdominal muscles, altering your posture and putting strain on your back. The extra weight gained during pregnancy can also put additional stress on the joints, leading to discomfort or pain. Furthermore, hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy to prepare your body for childbirth can cause ligaments and joints to loosen, including those that attach the pelvis to the spine, which can also contribute to back pain.
Your body went through all of these, and even more changes, during the long nine months. And the effects of these changes won’t disappear overnight.
To make things worse, many new mothers use poor breastfeeding posture, straining their neck and upper back muscles resulting in even more back pain.
How long does back pain after childbirth last?
Postpartum backpain should get better within a few months after delivery. But if you have had back pain before or early on in your pregnancy, you might have long-term back pain even after childbirth. Being obese also increases your risk of chronic back pain.
How to get relief from back pain after childbirth
Start by visiting your doctor and letting them know about your back pain. Some common back pain after childbirth home remedies is:
Low-impact exercises
Moving around might be the last thing you will feel like doing, but it can help! Low-impact exercises can help strengthen your back muscles, which can help improve back pain. Start with easy walks and add more exercises to your routine with your doctor’s guidance. Definitely get your doctor’s advice about exercises for back pain after cesarean delivery.
Practice good body posture
- Sit and stand up straight and avoid slouching.
- Learn the proper breastfeeding positions and choose a comfortable chair or pillows that give extra support to your back and arms.
- Always bend from your knees, and not from your waist. It may also be a good idea to switch to a high absorbency brand such as Teddyy baby Diapers, one of the top diaper brands in India. Teddyy Diapers give up to 6 hours of leak-free use and make sure you don’t have to keep repeatedly bending to change and throw away diapers.
Take care
- Take warm baths and showers once your doctor has okayed it.
- Use heating pads on the aching area to relax the muscles and reduce pain.
- Get a gentle massage to help reduce muscle tension and muscle spasms from pregnancy and childbirth.
- Wear supportive clothing such as a postpartum belly band to help support your weakened belly, pelvic floor muscles, and back, to reduce pain.
- Let someone else do the heavy lifting for you until your full recovery.
FAQS
As mentioned before, postpartum back pain is very common, and usually resolves on its own with some home remedies. But the signs below might indicate an underlying health condition or an infection:
•Severe, constant, and progressively worsening pain.
•Back pain is accompanied by a fever.
•Sudden loss of feeling in one or both legs, and sudden feeling of weakness.
•Loss of sensation in your buttocks, groin, or genital area.
It definitely won’t be easy living with back pain when you already have a lot to take care of; but take heart in knowing that the discomfort won’t stick around forever.
The weight gain during pregnancy, as well as the physical exertion of labor and delivery, can all contribute to back pain after giving birth. Additionally, hormonal changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding can cause the ligaments and muscles in the back to become more relaxed, which can lead to pain and discomfort.
In general, back pain can last between 3 to 6 months after childbirth. However, for some women, back pain can persist even longer.
Yes, it is normal to have back pain after 2 months of delivery. Back pain after giving birth can persist for several months or even longer. If the pain is severe or interferes with your daily activities, you should consult with your doctor and get yourself checked.
There are several ways to relieve lower back pain after giving birth, including:
•Low-impact exercises like walking or swimming
•Good posture and body mechanics
•Heat or cold therapy
•Over-the-counter pain medications (always check with your healthcare provider before taking any new medication)
•Massage or physical therapy
•Relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation
Yes, breastfeeding can cause back pain in some women. The physical demands of holding a baby and breastfeeding can put strain on the neck, shoulders, and back muscles. Additionally, the relaxed ligaments and muscles during breastfeeding can contribute to back pain. It is important to use good posture and body mechanics while breastfeeding and to take breaks and stretch as needed.
