What should you know about postpartum body aches?

Muscles and joints can hurt after labour, carrying, lifting, interrupted sleep or holding the baby in one position. Pain may also arise from a wound, breast inflammation, urinary infection or another illness. Body aches with fever, chills, cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea or a new rash suggest infection rather than ordinary recovery. Less common explanations include influenza, COVID-19, dengue fever, malaria, brucellosis, hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia or symptoms that continue after COVID-19. The timing, location and associated symptoms matter more than the label alone.

Use supportive positions for feeding, change posture often and ask for help with lifting. Gentle movement and rest periods may reduce stiffness. Check your temperature if you feel unwell, drink fluids if safe and follow discharge instructions for any wound. Ask a clinician or pharmacist which pain relief is suitable with your medical history and feeding plans. Do not mask worsening symptoms with repeated self-treatment; arrange review when aches persist or interfere with sleep, walking or caring for yourself.

Seek urgent help for severe or rapidly worsening pain, trouble breathing, chest pain, fainting, confusion, a stiff neck, heavy bleeding, a painful swollen leg or inability to move normally. Contact a clinician promptly for fever or chills, foul-smelling discharge, worsening wound pain, painful urination, breast redness or aches after recent travel to a malaria-risk area. A very unwell parent needs assessment even when the pain seems muscular.

Ask whether your pain pattern suggests muscle strain, infection or another cause, whether you need an examination or tests, and which pain medicines and activities are suitable during recovery.