Why do I have back pain after delivery?

Last reviewed July 23, 2026 by Dr. Sapna Jadhav, General Physician. Sources from ACOG, NHS, Mayo Clinic, CDC, NICE, NIH, Cochrane, and peer-reviewed journals.

Bottom lineBack pain after delivery is common and usually comes from stretched, weakened core and pelvic floor muscles, pregnancy hormones that loosen ligaments, and the strain of lifting and feeding your baby; it typically eases over weeks to months. Help it with good posture, bringing the baby up to feed, lifting with your legs, heat and suitable pain relief, and gradually rebuilding your core and pelvic floor. Seek care for severe pain, or pain with fever, leg weakness, numbness, or loss of bladder or bowel control.

Postpartum back pain is very common and usually comes from the physical toll of pregnancy and birth - stretched and weakened core and pelvic floor muscles, loosened ligaments from pregnancy hormones, and the new strain of constantly lifting and feeding your baby. It typically eases over weeks to months as your body recovers.

Why it happens

• Weak core and pelvic floor - abdominal muscles stretch and separate (diastasis recti) during pregnancy, leaving less support for your spine.
• Ligament laxity - the hormone relaxin loosens joints for birth and takes months to fully reverse.
• Posture and lifting - feeding in hunched positions and repeatedly lifting a car seat or baby strains the back.
• Epidural - despite the myth, epidurals are not a proven cause of lasting back pain; brief local tenderness can occur.

What helps

• Gentle movement and good posture - support your back and bring the baby to your breast rather than hunching down.
• Rebuild your core and pelvic floor gradually - see how to strengthen your core after pregnancy and when to start pelvic floor exercises.
• Lift with your legs, keep loads close, and set up feeding with cushions and back support.
• Heat, gentle stretching, and over-the-counter pain relief suitable for breastfeeding.

When to see a doctor

• Severe pain, or pain after a fall or trauma
• Pain with fever, leg weakness or numbness, or loss of bladder or bowel control (seek urgent care)
• Pain that isn't improving over weeks - a women's health physiotherapist can help

Most postpartum back pain settles as strength returns, and targeted core and pelvic floor work speeds it up.

Femora helps you track recovery symptoms week by week after birth.