Pelvic Pain After Having a Baby? Here's What It Means and What to Do
Updated July 20261 minute read
Pelvic pain after childbirth is common as your body recovers — it can come from the pelvic floor and surrounding muscles, the pelvic joints, healing tissue, or how everything is coordinating again. Most postpartum pelvic pain responds well to pelvic-health physical therapy. It's worth addressing rather than just "waiting it out." Heavy bleeding, fever, severe pain, or signs of infection need prompt contact with your provider.
What this usually means
Most likely causes. Postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction, lingering pelvic girdle pain, and healing-related discomfort are common causes of pelvic pain after birth. Less common causes. Infection, a healing complication, or other medical issues can cause pain and need medical evaluation.
What you can try at home
Be patient and gentle with recovery — restful positioning, supported feeding postures, and very gentle breathing and core/pelvic floor connection in the early weeks. Avoid rushing back to high-impact exercise. Postpartum recovery is a great reason to see a pelvic-health PT, who can guide a safe return.
When to see a physical therapist
A pelvic-health PT can assess your recovery, address pain and coordination, and guide a safe return to activity.
Red flags — don't wait
Contact your provider promptly for heavy or increasing bleeding, fever, severe or worsening pain, foul-smelling discharge, or pain/redness/swelling suggesting infection or a clot.
How a PT treats this
Treatment addresses the pelvic floor and surrounding muscles and joints, restores coordination, and guides a graded return to activity.
Frequently asked questions
Sources (3)
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG Committee Opinion No. 736: Optimizing Postpartum Care. Obstet Gynecol. 2018. — PubMed
- Vleeming A, et al. European guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic girdle pain. Eur Spine J. 2008. — PubMed
- MedlinePlus: Postpartum Care. — NIH/MedlinePlus
This article is for education only and isn't medical advice. Always talk to a licensed clinician about your specific situation.