aches and pains after childbirth

[littlehouseontheprairie]

I delivered my DS 7.5 weeks ago and over past few weeks, I've had aches and pain in joints - wrists/forearms, knees (always been dodgy), and back. I know it's partly because I'm carrying him, the car seat, pushing pram regularly up hills where we live etc, feel stiff in morning and generally about 10 years older! but I was pretty fit before - was in the gym until the day before I went into labour.

I've read this is common. When does it pass and what can I do to help myself?

I had this after DD. All my joints were very painful - particularly my wrists. It took about a year to get better. I had DS 7.5 weeks ago just like you and the joint pain is starting again.

I have this too. Had DD 4 weeks ago and I ache so much, everything hurts. I'm sure I didn't have this after my other 2 DC.
A year? I hope it doesn't last that long.

Maybe it is something to do with the hormones changing, specifically the one that relaxes all your joints so your body can create the space to carry the baby. Everything is much looser so after birth I guess this hormone stops & things stiffen up again.

Wrist pain is a very common one from handling baby so much. You can get treatment for aching joints if it is very painful & annoying - check with GP. Even if bf-ing it may be ok to use gels or have steroid injections, or just use splints or supports for a while. I had De Quervain's syndrome in my wrists which is pain along the outside thumbs down into the wrist, particularly when making a peeling potato type of movement. This is rarer than the usual carpal tunnel type of wrist pain. Both can require operations to sort out in acute cases. Don't suffer in silence!

I had ds 8.5 weeks ago and feel like an arthritic 80 yr old. My knees are v painful and my back really aches too particulalry when i bend. Guess it makes sense that everything is tightening up again after being loose iin pregnancy/birth.

I had no idea that would happen; I hope I didn't overstretch myself during pregnancy. I too feel very arthritic and old! Hopefiully it will sort itself over the next few months.

Lainey that's exactly how i felt too, like an old arthritic lady. It started 6wks after DD was born and then gradually eased off and was gone again when DD got to about 18 weeks. It's so crap though :( Doea anyone know what causes it, desperate to avoid it next time!