Some women have more intense symptoms, such as sharp and stabbing pain. New mothers with posterior pelvic pain experience a continuous, dull pain in the lower back. Pelvic changes begin during pregnancy and while these changes resolve uneventfully in some women, others develop chronicity due to persistent symptoms, which may last for several months to years. 5 Posterior pelvic pain (pelvic girdle pain) If the pelvic floor muscles are also weak, urinary incontinence and dysfunction of the pelvic muscles may also occur. 4ĭiastasis recti may compromise postural stability and contribute to lower back and pelvic pain. This condition is called diastasis recti and causes the muscles to become loose and have poor tone after delivery. Women who have poor abdominal muscle tone prior to pregnancy are at a higher risk of separation of the rectus abdominis muscle. The stretching results in loss of muscle tone in the abdominal region with the possible separation of certain muscles, such as the rectus abdominis. This change causes the muscles of the abdominal wall to stretch substantially. The uterus enlarges during pregnancy to accommodate the growing fetus. Common Causes of Back Pain in Pregnancy.The type of delivery-vaginal, instrumental, or cesarean section (C-section) may also have a role to play in postpartum back pain. In some cases, women may undergo bodily trauma during childbirth that directly involves the lower back and pelvic bones, joints, and/or soft tissues, causing additional pain and discomfort. The vast majority of women who experience postpartum back pain develop the symptoms due to pregnancy-related changes in the musculoskeletal system that persist after delivery. This page discusses the various causes and types of postpartum back pain and when medical attention may be warranted. The type and severity of pain depend on the underlying cause. 1, 2 Postpartum back pain mostly occurs while performing activities that involve body movements, 3 such as walking, lifting, bending, and/or carrying the new baby, and may be relieved with rest, exercise, and home treatments. Persistent or newly developed pain in the lower back after pregnancy, also known as postpartum back pain, usually lasts for 6 months but may continue up to a decade.