Postpartum joint pain and aching: why your body hurts after having a baby

Postnatal recovery · Updated July 2026 · All articles

Feeling physically sore and achy after birth is not surprising, but many people are caught off guard when joint pain continues for weeks or even months, or appears for the first time in places like the wrists or hips that were not involved in the birth at all. Postpartum joint pain is common, it has several distinct causes, and in most cases it responds well to the right management. Understanding what is happening helps you get the right support rather than simply waiting and hoping it resolves.

The role of relaxin: why your joints feel different after birth

Relaxin is a hormone produced primarily by the corpus luteum and placenta during pregnancy. Its main role is to soften and loosen the ligaments and connective tissues throughout the body, particularly in the pelvis, to allow the widening needed for the baby to pass through during birth. It also affects joints throughout the rest of the body, which is why many pregnant women notice hypermobility, joint clicking, or instability in joints they did not have before.

After birth, relaxin levels do not fall immediately. The hormone can remain present for several months, and in breastfeeding women it persists throughout the lactation period because the same hormonal environment that supports breastfeeding also maintains some degree of relaxin presence. During this time, joints remain more lax than usual, which means they are less stable, more susceptible to strain under load, and more prone to aching.

This is why activities that would not have caused problems before pregnancy, such as lifting your baby in a particular way, walking for longer than you are used to, or returning to exercise too soon, can produce joint pain in the postnatal period that might seem disproportionate to the activity.

Wrist pain: a very common postpartum complaint

Wrist pain is one of the most commonly reported joint complaints in the postnatal period, and it has a specific cause in many cases: tenosynovitis, an inflammation of the tendon sheath in the wrist and base of the thumb. The clinical name for the most common presentation at the thumb side of the wrist is De Quervain's tenosynovitis, and it is significantly more common in new parents than in the general population.

The repetitive actions of new parenthood, picking up a baby, positioning during breastfeeding, supporting the baby's head, lifting a car seat, pushing a pram, all involve gripping and extending the wrist in ways that strain the thumb tendons if done frequently. The looser ligament environment created by relaxin makes the tendons more vulnerable to this kind of strain.

Pain is typically felt at the base of the thumb and the thumb-side of the wrist, and may radiate up the forearm. It is often worse when gripping or when lifting with the thumb extended. If you try the Finkelstein test (make a fist with the thumb tucked inside and tilt the wrist towards the little finger side), pain at the thumb side of the wrist suggests tenosynovitis.

Treatment includes relative rest (avoiding the specific movements that aggravate it where possible, though this is challenging with a newborn), a thumb spica splint available from pharmacies that rests the thumb and wrist, anti-inflammatory pain relief, and physiotherapy. In persistent cases, a corticosteroid injection can be very effective. Most cases resolve within months.

Hip pain and lower back pain

Hip and lower back pain after birth are also common. During pregnancy, the shift in posture as the bump grows, combined with relaxed ligaments, places extra load on the hip flexors, piriformis, and glutes. After the birth, returning to normal movement patterns takes time, and the lower back and hips often bear the strain.

Sustained postures during breastfeeding, such as sitting hunched over the baby without adequate back support, can contribute to upper and lower back discomfort. Paying attention to your sitting position during feeds and using a supportive cushion can help. Core and glute strengthening exercises introduced gradually are the most effective longer-term strategy for addressing the underlying muscle imbalances.

Pelvic girdle pain continuing after birth

Pelvic girdle pain (PGP), also called symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD), affects many people during pregnancy as relaxin softens the pelvic ligaments. For most people, it improves significantly in the weeks after birth as hormone levels change and the mechanical load on the pelvis reduces. However, some people continue to experience PGP symptoms postnatally, including pain over the pubic symphysis, pain in the sacroiliac joints at the back of the pelvis, and difficulty with weight-bearing activities such as walking or climbing stairs.

If you had significant PGP in pregnancy and symptoms persist beyond the first few weeks after birth, a referral to a women's health or musculoskeletal physiotherapist is strongly recommended. Targeted exercises to stabilise the pelvis and reduce asymmetric loading are much more effective than general rest.

Carpal tunnel syndrome after birth

Carpal tunnel syndrome, caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist, is common during pregnancy due to fluid retention in the tissues around the wrist. For most people, it improves after birth as the excess fluid is shed. However, some people develop or continue to experience carpal tunnel symptoms in the postnatal period, sometimes related to the fluid shifts during breastfeeding or the new hand positions used when feeding and carrying.

Symptoms include tingling, numbness, and pain in the thumb, index, middle, and half of the ring finger (the distribution of the median nerve). Symptoms are often worse at night or first thing in the morning. A wrist splint worn at night, which keeps the wrist in a neutral position and prevents it flexing during sleep, is the first-line treatment and helps significantly for many people. If symptoms are severe or persistent, a GP referral for physiotherapy or assessment for steroid injection is worth pursuing.

What helps: posture, ergonomics, and physio

Good ergonomics during the postnatal period can reduce the load on already vulnerable joints. For breastfeeding, bring the baby to you rather than leaning down to the baby: a feeding pillow or rolled towel supporting the baby at breast height makes a significant difference to neck, shoulder, and back strain. A footstool can help support posture when sitting for feeds.

For lifting and carrying, keep the baby close to your body and use your whole arm rather than just the wrist and hands to take the weight. Using a baby sling or carrier distributes the weight across the back and hips rather than concentrating it in the arms and wrists.

For general joint pain, a women's health physiotherapist can assess your specific situation and provide targeted exercises that are appropriate for your stage of recovery. Self-referring to a physiotherapist is possible in many areas of the NHS, or your GP can refer you. Trying to address significant joint pain by resting completely is rarely as effective as specific rehabilitation exercise.

When to see a physiotherapist

Consider requesting a physiotherapy assessment if joint pain is persistent, meaning it is not improving after two to four weeks; if it is limiting your ability to care for your baby; if it is affecting your sleep; if you had significant joint problems in pregnancy that have not resolved; or if you want to return to exercise and want guidance on how to do so safely given your joint symptoms. A physiotherapist who specialises in women's health or postnatal recovery is the best fit, though a general musculoskeletal physiotherapist can also be helpful.

Frequently asked questions

Why do my joints hurt after having a baby?

Relaxin, the hormone that loosens ligaments during pregnancy, remains present for several months after birth and longer in breastfeeding women. Looser joints are less stable and more prone to aching. New postures for feeding and carrying also place unfamiliar loads on the body.

What causes wrist pain after birth?

The most common cause is tenosynovitis, an inflammation of the tendons running through the wrist and thumb, often triggered by the repetitive gripping and lifting involved in feeding and carrying a baby. Pain is typically felt at the thumb side of the wrist.

How long does postpartum pelvic girdle pain last?

For most people, pelvic girdle pain improves significantly in the weeks and months after birth as relaxin levels fall and ligament tension is restored. A minority of people experience persistent symptoms that benefit from physiotherapy assessment and targeted exercise.

Can breastfeeding make joint pain worse?

Yes. Breastfeeding keeps oestrogen lower and relaxin present for longer, which means joints remain more lax during the lactation period. Prolonged sitting in feeding positions can also contribute to back and hip discomfort.

When should I see a physiotherapist for postpartum joint pain?

If joint pain is persistent, severe, limiting your ability to care for your baby, or not improving after a few weeks, a referral to a women's health or musculoskeletal physiotherapist is worthwhile. Early intervention usually leads to faster resolution.

Is postpartum joint pain a sign of an autoimmune condition?

In most cases, postpartum joint pain is mechanical and hormonal rather than inflammatory. However, some autoimmune conditions including rheumatoid arthritis can first present or flare in the postnatal period. If joint pain is symmetrical, comes with significant morning stiffness, or is accompanied by swelling and warmth, mention it to your GP.

This article is for general information only. Always speak to your midwife, GP, or health visitor if you have concerns about your physical recovery after birth.