The short explanation
Back pain after delivery is very common, and most of it is not caused by the epidural. Pregnancy loosens the ligaments and stretches the tummy muscles, and feeding, lifting and carrying a baby put extra strain on the back. Studies have not shown that epidurals cause long-term back pain, though a little tenderness where the needle went in can last a few days. Feeding posture is often a big factor. Sitting with your back supported, bringing the baby up to the breast with a pillow rather than bending down, and keeping your feet supported can help.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Gentle walking, stretches and pelvic floor and tummy exercises, ideally guided by a physiotherapist, often ease the pain over weeks.
- Tell your doctor if the pain is severe, does not improve, or comes with numbness, weakness in the legs or problems controlling urine or stool. These need prompt assessment.
- A clinician may suggest pain relief that is suitable while breastfeeding.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This answer cannot tell the cause of your back pain. An examination is needed if it is severe or persistent.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- What is likely causing my back pain?
- Can a physiotherapist help with posture and exercises?
- What pain relief is suitable while breastfeeding?
- Which symptoms would need urgent attention?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Emergency — call 112 now
- Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have heavy bleeding, a high fever with shivering, chest pain, sudden breathlessness, or thoughts of harming yourself or your baby.
- Call 112 also if back pain comes with sudden weakness or numbness in the legs, or loss of control of urine or stool.
Get help the same day
- Get seen the same day if you have fever with back pain, or severe pain at the epidural site with redness.
Book an appointment soon
- See a doctor within a few days if the pain is stopping you from caring for the baby.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Ask about physiotherapy at your postnatal check.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Postpartum care MedlinePlus (NIH)
- Pelvic floor disorders MedlinePlus (NIH)
Who wrote and reviewed this
Every AskHer answer names its author. A clinically reviewed answer also names the clinician who signed it off — if no clinician is named below, it has not been clinically reviewed.
- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
Substantive changes are listed, not quietly edited away.
No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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