Giving birth is one of the most life-changing experiences, but what happens when your body doesn’t feel like your own months after delivery? If you’re experiencing persistent pelvic pain, you’re not alone. Many women find themselves weeks or months postpartum still struggling with discomfort, wondering if this is their new normal.
The good news? It’s not. And it doesn’t have to be.
Pain after childbirth is common but not normal, and understanding why it happens is the first step to reclaiming comfort and confidence in your body.
🔹 Why Does Postpartum Pelvic Pain Happen?
✅ Your Muscles and Ligaments Stretched Beyond Their Limits
During pregnancy and labor, your pelvic floor muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues stretch to accommodate your growing baby and delivery. In a vaginal birth, these muscles can undergo trauma or tearing, while in a C-section, your abdominal wall and deep core muscles are affected. If these structures don’t heal properly or remain weak, pain can persist. (Bo et al., 2017)
During pregnancy and labor, your pelvic floor muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues stretch to accommodate your growing baby and delivery. In a vaginal birth, these muscles can undergo trauma or tearing, while in a C-section, your abdominal wall and deep core muscles are affected. If these structures don’t heal properly or remain weak, pain can persist. (Bo et al., 2017)
✅ Your Pelvic Joints Are Still Adjusting
The pelvis is not a fixed structure—it shifts and adapts during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. A hormone called relaxin loosens the ligaments in your pelvis to help with delivery, but sometimes this leads to instability, misalignment, or lingering pain in the sacroiliac (SI) joint, pubic symphysis, or hips. (Jain et al., 2018)
The pelvis is not a fixed structure—it shifts and adapts during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. A hormone called relaxin loosens the ligaments in your pelvis to help with delivery, but sometimes this leads to instability, misalignment, or lingering pain in the sacroiliac (SI) joint, pubic symphysis, or hips. (Jain et al., 2018)
✅ Nerve Compression or Irritation
Childbirth can put immense pressure on pelvic nerves, including the pudendal nerve (which supplies sensation and function to the pelvic floor). If this nerve is compressed, irritated, or inflamed during delivery, it can lead to burning, sharp pains, numbness, or even issues with bladder and bowel control. (Possover, 2019)
Childbirth can put immense pressure on pelvic nerves, including the pudendal nerve (which supplies sensation and function to the pelvic floor). If this nerve is compressed, irritated, or inflamed during delivery, it can lead to burning, sharp pains, numbness, or even issues with bladder and bowel control. (Possover, 2019)
✅ Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD)
Many women unknowingly develop pelvic floor dysfunction postpartum. If your pelvic floor muscles are weak, overactive (too tight), or lack coordination, they can cause pain, urinary incontinence, painful intercourse, or even lower back pain. (Morin et al., 2018)
Many women unknowingly develop pelvic floor dysfunction postpartum. If your pelvic floor muscles are weak, overactive (too tight), or lack coordination, they can cause pain, urinary incontinence, painful intercourse, or even lower back pain. (Morin et al., 2018)
✅ Scar Tissue & C-Section Recovery
For women who had episiotomies, perineal tearing, or C-sections, scar tissue can create tightness, pulling sensations, and pain during movement or intimacy. Proper rehabilitation can help soften and restore mobility in these areas. (Talasz et al., 2018)
For women who had episiotomies, perineal tearing, or C-sections, scar tissue can create tightness, pulling sensations, and pain during movement or intimacy. Proper rehabilitation can help soften and restore mobility in these areas. (Talasz et al., 2018)
🔹 How Do You Know If This Pain Needs Treatment?
Ask yourself:
✔ Is my pain still present more than 6-8 weeks postpartum?
✔ Does my pain get worse with movement, intimacy, or prolonged standing?
✔ Do I feel heaviness or pressure in my pelvic area?
✔ Do I experience bladder leaks or urgency when I laugh, cough, or sneeze?
✔ Do I feel like my abdominal muscles are weak or disconnected?
✔ Does my pain get worse with movement, intimacy, or prolonged standing?
✔ Do I feel heaviness or pressure in my pelvic area?
✔ Do I experience bladder leaks or urgency when I laugh, cough, or sneeze?
✔ Do I feel like my abdominal muscles are weak or disconnected?
If you answered yes to any of these, you might be dealing with postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, scar tissue adhesions, or pelvic instability—all of which can be improved with the right approach.
🔹 What Can Help?
✅ Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy – Retraining and strengthening your pelvic floor muscles to support healing.
✅ Core & Deep Abdominal Recovery – Teaching your body to reconnect with these essential muscles.
✅ Scar Mobilization & Myofascial Release – Helping with C-section or perineal scar tightness.
✅ Manual Therapy & Joint Alignment – Addressing SI joint, pubic symphysis, and lower back pain related to postpartum changes.
✅ Diaphragmatic Breathing & Nervous System Regulation – Supporting healing from within by calming the body’s stress response.
✅ Core & Deep Abdominal Recovery – Teaching your body to reconnect with these essential muscles.
✅ Scar Mobilization & Myofascial Release – Helping with C-section or perineal scar tightness.
✅ Manual Therapy & Joint Alignment – Addressing SI joint, pubic symphysis, and lower back pain related to postpartum changes.
✅ Diaphragmatic Breathing & Nervous System Regulation – Supporting healing from within by calming the body’s stress response.
🔹 Final Thoughts: You Deserve to Feel Good Again
Your body is incredibly resilient, and postpartum recovery is not just about surviving—it’s about thriving. If you’ve been struggling with lingering pain, know that help is available and that you don’t have to live with discomfort just because you had a baby.
Pelvic health is a key part of your overall well-being, and seeking support is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
References:
- Bo, K., Hilde, G., & Stær-Jensen, J. (2017). Clinical and ultrasonographic assessment of pelvic floor muscle function in women with and without pelvic organ prolapse. Neurourology and Urodynamics, 36(3), 784-791.
- Jain, N., Sternbergh, W. C., & Turner, P. (2018). Pelvic girdle pain after pregnancy: A systematic review of the prevalence and associated factors. Journal of Women’s Health Physical Therapy, 42(2), 95-102.
- Morin, M., Vandyken, B., Ghazi, M., & Gravel, D. (2018). Pelvic floor muscle function and treatment in women with postpartum pelvic girdle pain. Physical Therapy, 98(6), 494-504.
- Possover, M. (2019). Neuropelveology: A new approach to pelvic pain syndromes. International Urogynecology Journal, 30(5), 761-770.
- Talasz, H., Kremser, C., & Kofler, M. (2018). Pelvic floor dysfunction after vaginal delivery: MRI and neurophysiological findings. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 219(2), 188.e1-188.e8.
