Postpartum Pelvic Pain: Causes & Treatments
Every mother’s postpartum recovery journey is unique as she navigates the physical changes in her body, copes with emotional adjustments, and adapts to a new daily routine centred around her baby’s needs. In this period of recovery and change, one of the many things that can make life harder for new moms is pelvic pain after delivery.
We’ll look into this postpartum symptom in more detail in this blog and learn what are it’s causes and treatment options. Keep reading!
What is Postpartum Pelvic Pain?
Pregnancy and childbirth exert a great deal of stress on a woman’s body, particularly on the bones and soft tissues of the pelvis, which house and support the growing foetus.
Pelvic bone pain during pregnancy is a common experience, affecting nearly 70% of expectant mothers. For many, this pain may continue into their early postpartum period.
The nature of this pain can vary, ranging from sharp, shooting pain to deep, achy discomfort. Additionally, you might experience pelvic pain in a number of different areas, including your pubic region, genital area, tailbone, spine, and lower abdomen. The pain may also radiate to your back, hips, thighs, and legs.
Common Causes of Postpartum Pelvic Pain
So, what’s the cause behind this condition? Just as postpartum pelvic pain can be felt in a number of different areas in varying degrees, there are many different causes of postpartum pelvic pain.
Pregnancy
During pregnancy, your body releases a hormone called relaxin to loosen the ligaments and joints in the pelvic area, preparing the body for delivery. While these changes are natural, it can sometimes lead to instability of joints in the pelvic region, leading to joint pain which may persist postpartum.
Episiotomy or Perineal Tear
The perineum is the area between the vaginal opening and the anus. A perineal tear can occur when the baby’s head passes through the vaginal opening, while an episiotomy is a surgical incision made to enlarge the vaginal opening during childbirth.
These tears and procedures can cause perineal pain or pelvic pain, which may take over 6 weeks to heal; poor healing or infections can also worsen pain.
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
During a vaginal delivery, the pelvic floor muscles that support your pelvic organs can stretch up to three times their length! This trauma from pregnancy and delivery can weaken the pelvic floor muscles, causing the pelvic organs to droop or prolapse, pressing into or out of the vagina. This can cause symptoms such as feelings of discomfort and heaviness, bulging in the vagina or pelvis, and pelvic pain.
Pubic Symphysis Diastasis
Separation of the pubic bone is a normal part of pregnancy and delivery, which allows the baby to pass through the birth canal. Rarely, the pubic bone can widen excessively, which can leave mothers with debilitating pelvic pain.
Pelvic Floor Therapy for Pelvic Pain
In the end, no matter the type of delivery, all pregnancies affect the pelvic floor muscles. Pelvic floor therapy is a promising treatment option for women dealing with postpartum pelvic pain. This specialized therapy focuses on strengthening and rehabilitating the pelvic floor muscles to function normally.
How it Works
At your first visit, a trained physical therapist will assess your condition and develop a personalized treatment plan. This plan may include various techniques such as:
Pelvic floor muscle exercises
These targeted exercises help to strengthen and improve the flexibility of the pelvic floor muscles. Strengthening these muscles can ease pain and provide better support for your pelvic organs.
Manual therapy
Your therapist may use hands-on techniques to release tension in the pelvic area, promoting better blood flow and reducing discomfort.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback is an electronic monitoring used to provide real-time visual feedback of how your pelvic floor muscles are functioning, to help your brain connect with the pelvic floor muscles.
Education and lifestyle changes
Your therapist will also provide guidance on posture, body mechanics, and lifestyle adjustments to minimize stress on your pelvic region.
New mothers are constantly lifting their babies and a whole bunch of other things which can cause pain from lifting. A simple technique such as bending from the knees and using the leg muscles when lifting can greatly reduce stress on the pelvis and lower abdomen. Sitting in a well-supported posture while breastfeeding and keeping essential items close at hand are lifestyle changes that can ease pelvic pain. A physical therapist can give you more tips like these.
Many women also find that breathing and relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, and other such activities, helps relieve the stress and tension in the pelvic muscles, which can ease pelvic pain.
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Kegel Exercises for Pelvic Pain
Kegel exercises, a type of pelvic floor muscle exercises, can be especially beneficial for postpartum women. These exercises focus on contracting and relaxing the pelvic floor muscles that support your pelvic organs.
Performing Kegels regularly can help improve pelvic muscle strength, reduce pain, and also enhance bladder control – which can be greatly beneficial for mothers suffering from postpartum urinary incontinence.
Here’s how to do Kegel exercises:
- To get started, you need to find your pelvic floor muscles. You can do this by imagining you’re trying to stop urine flow midstream – the muscles you just used are your pelvic floor muscles.
- Once you’ve identified the muscles, sit or lie down comfortably.
- Squeeze or lift up your pelvic floor muscles and hold for a count of three to five seconds, then release.
- Repeat this process 10-15 times in a row, 3 times a day.
- As your pelvic muscles become stronger, you can increase the duration of each contraction and the number of repetitions.
Perform Kegel exercises regularly to experience their full benefits.
Pelvic Pain Home Treatment
In addition to professional therapy and exercises, there are some home remedies for pelvic pain you can try to manage pelvic pain.
Rest: Adequate rest is essential now more than ever for your body’s healing process. Please avoid overexertion.
Heat therapy: Applying a warm compress or a heating pad to the pelvic area can help relax the tense muscles and ease pain.
Pain medication: Over-the-counter pain relievers can provide temporary relief from pelvic pain. However, always consult your doctor before taking any medication, especially if you’re breastfeeding.
Supportive undergarment: Wearing supportive underwear or a postpartum girdle can provide additional support to the pelvic region in your everyday life.
Healthy diet and hydration: Eating a balanced diet and drinking enough water can aid in your body’s recovery process.
In many cases, gentle pelvic floor exercises, improved posture, and knowledge on the cause of pain is enough to find relief. Don’t let pelvic pain prevent you from embracing the complete joys of motherhood. If pelvic pain becomes a major concern and interferes with your everyday life, there are healthcare professionals and therapists that can help you get back to feeling good again!
Postpartum pelvic pain can last for 3-9 months after delivery. In cases of more severe conditions like pelvic organ prolapse, it may require medical treatment and take longer to improve.
While mild discomfort and soreness are common after childbirth due to the body’s recovery process, severe or prolonged postpartum pelvic pain is a cause for concern. It’s essential to consult with a healthcare provider to rule out any underlying issues and receive appropriate care.
Postpartum pelvic pain can have various causes, including hormonal changes during pregnancy, the physical strain of childbirth, pelvic organ prolapse, and trauma during delivery. Additionally, the relaxation of pelvic ligaments and muscles to prepare for childbirth can contribute to discomfort.
Breastfeeding itself is not typically a direct cause of pelvic pain. However, the position in which you breastfeed your baby can sometimes exacerbate existing pelvic discomfort. It’s important to maintain good posture and provide adequate support for your body while breastfeeding to minimize strain on your pelvic region.
Pelvic pain that persists 2 months postpartum could be due to a variety of factors, such as ongoing healing from childbirth, unresolved trauma, or pelvic floor muscle issues. If the pelvic pain is severe and interferes with your daily life, it’s advisable to consult with your doctor or a pelvic floor therapist to assess the specific cause of your pain and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Here are some steps you can take to alleviate pelvic pain:
- Consult a pelvic floor therapist.
- Perform pelvic floor muscle exercises.
- Apply a warm compress or heating pad.
- Consult a doctor for pain relief medications.
- Prioritize rest.
- Consider wearing supportive underwear or postpartum girdles.
- Maintain a balanced diet, and stay hydrated.
