{"id":2074,"date":"2021-07-21T13:06:50","date_gmt":"2021-07-21T13:06:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cms.mutusystem.com\/en-uk\/?p=2074"},"modified":"2025-07-16T19:34:37","modified_gmt":"2025-07-16T19:34:37","slug":"back-pain-after-c-section","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mutusystem.com\/en-uk\/back-pain-after-c-section\/","title":{"rendered":"Back Pain After C-Section: Is It Normal and How To Overcome?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Let\u2019s talk about an issue that far too many women face \u2013 back pain after having a c-section.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve had a caesarean delivery and you\u2019re experiencing discomfort you might be worrying whether it\u2019s normal and what you can do about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First up, please recognise that no matter how your birth unfolded, vaginal birth or caesarean birth \u2013 you are incredible! That is a superhuman feat you accomplished, bringing life into this world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You deserve to enjoy all that comes next, back pain free.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secondly, it\u2019s important to know that there is so much that can be done to help address your c-section back pain now, it\u2019s not something you simply have to learn to live with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding Back Pain After C-Section<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With an increase in caesarean births (in the United Kingdom in June 2022, 37% of births were caesarean deliveries<\/a>) , it\u2019s easy to forget that it is still a major abdominal surgery! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Postpartum back pain after having a caesarean is one of the most commonly reported symptoms experienced by new mums in their recovery period (and beyond). At MUTU we regularly hear c-section recovery stories like Ashley\u2019s<\/a> where back pain and suffering in silence with ibuprofen and heat pads are a regular feature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Link Between C-Section and Back Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Generally speaking, you are more likely to have back pain if you have a c-section. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is because it’s a major surgery that involves cutting through the abdominal muscles and uterus. Healing from this can cause pain and inflammation in the back muscles and nearby ligaments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, the scar from a c-section can put strain on the back muscles, which can lead to discomfort, aches and soreness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, as we\u2019ll discuss later on, it\u2019s possible that the spinal block administered for a caesarean can cause ongoing back pain after birth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"mutu<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Types of Back Pain Post C-Section<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lower back pain<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Lower back pain is very common after having a c-section. It\u2019s not unusual for women to experience hip, leg pain or muscle spasms along with this type of back pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your pelvic floor plays a big role in supporting the lower back so if it is weak (or too tight) after giving birth this can put extra strain on your lower back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upper back pain<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Upper back pain is also an issue for many women after having a c-section.  This can manifest itself high up the back in between the shoulder blades.  Sometimes it\u2019s experienced along with shoulder and\/or neck pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can be caused by many factors including carrying additional weight, poor posture (when lifting, carrying or feeding your baby) or additional strain being placed on the upper back after periods of inactivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"mum<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Factors Contributing to Back Pain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Your back pain could be occurring for a number of reasons. Let\u2019s cover some of the short-term reasons that could be causing your discomfort, as well as solutions to help you banish that pain for good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Pain and inflammation arising from the post-surgery healing process<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

As discussed, the surgery involves cutting through the abdominal muscles and uterus. The natural healing process can cause soreness and inflammation in the ligaments and muscles of the back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Additional strain on the back muscles from c-section scars<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, the scar from a c-section can put strain on the back muscles, which can lead to pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Anaesthesia and spinal block administration<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The type of anaesthesia you receive before having a c-section could play a role. You may have had an epidural or a spinal block. An epidural takes longer to become effective and is injected into the surrounding areas of your spinal cord. Often for a c-section a spinal block is given, this is faster acting and is placed closer to the spinal cord. Back pain can be felt when the anaesthesia begins to wear off, and muscle spasms near the injection site can occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Lingering back pain from longer labour<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Often a c-section occurs after longer labours, particularly if there was a lengthy pushing phase. In that case, your chances of having lingering back pain in postpartum go up, also. Having to be more cautious, restful, and slower to get back into more movement after this surgery can also add up to back pain. Be mindful to move your body frequently, but gently after a caesarean birth to help lower your risk of back pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Inactivity or a lack of movement leading to aches and pains<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

With any major surgery there are going to be more restrictions post-surgery to ensure your body can heal safely. C-sections are no different. Rest frequently, don\u2019t lift anything heavier than your baby, be gentle to protect stitches or staples. All of this, plus caring for a new little one, leads to less movement. This inactivity can cause more back pain and aches than normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Feeding your baby<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re nursing \/ breast-feeding, you may be contouring your body into weird positions you didn\u2019t know were possible just to get your babe to latch and eat! Once they are finally eating, the fear of moving (no matter how uncomfortable you might be) is very real. Hunching over to feed your baby and all the cirque du soleil-worthy positions you find yourself in, are not so kind on the back.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Lifting and carrying a baby<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The incredible little human you just brought into this world might look tiny, but you\u2019re now lifting and moving around a not insignificant extra weight in your arms every day!  As we bend and contort into a myriad of positions throughout the day to pick up, put down, bend over and lift – our posture can easily be impacted – leading to increased risk of developing back pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. Hormones<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Not all bodily changes during and after pregnancy are visible! Hormonal changes, especially the hormone relaxin<\/a>, has the effect of loosening the joints, muscles and ligaments around the pelvic floor, back and abs. These hormones (which are released whether you have a vaginal or caesarean delivery) are absolutely incredible in how they help us grow and deliver our babies but unfortunately, as a side effect, they do make our bodies slightly more vulnerable to strains, tweaks or hurting our backs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Weakened core and pelvic floor<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Our core is so much more than just our abs. It\u2019s our lower back, pelvic floor, all our abdominal muscles, our glutes, and our hips. It\u2019s our entire trunk or centre. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re bending over, pushing, pulling, twisting, turning (as mamas, we do this all the time!) grabbing an escaping toddler, picking up toys, and your core is not flexible, strong and switching on\u2026 your lower back takes the strain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n