Joint pain after pregnancyImage Credit source: Getty Images
Many women feel pain in bones and joints after pregnancy. This pain can be a sign of general fatigue, lack of nutrition or some serious problem. After delivery, hormonal changes, blood loss and calcium-iron deficiency are common in the body. In such a situation, if the pain persists for a long time or appears with swelling, then it should not be ignored. Let us find out whether pain in bones and joints after pregnancy is due to nutritional deficiency or the beginning of arthritis.
pregnancy And during delivery, many types of physical and hormonal changes take place in the woman’s body. Estrogen hormone, which keeps bones strong, decreases after delivery, due to which bone density can decrease. At the same time, a large amount of calcium is released from the body while breastfeeding the child. If it is not compensated in the diet, then the bones start weakening. Apart from this, increased weight during pregnancy puts pressure on the joints, which can further cause pain and swelling. Constant fatigue, lack of sleep and reduced physical activity also affect recovery. Due to all these reasons both the energy of the body and the strength of bones are affected.
What causes pain in bones and joints after pregnancy?
Dr. Saloni Chadha, Assistant Professor at RML Hospital Explains that there can be two main reasons behind pain in bones and joints after delivery, lack of nutrition or the onset of arthritis. If there is a deficiency of calcium, vitamin D, iron and protein in a woman’s diet, then both muscles and bones start becoming weak. Due to this, pain or fatigue is felt even during light movements. This pain is usually associated with nutritional deficiency and gradually gets cured by taking proper diet.
But if the pain continues to increase, there is swelling or stiffness in the joints, and the body feels stiff when you wake up in the morning, then it can be a sign of postpartum arthritis. This condition occurs due to inflammation and immune changes in the body. For proper diagnosis, doctors recommend getting a blood test or X-ray done. It can be brought under control with timely treatment.
Keep these things in mind
Take sunlight daily so that the body can get enough Vitamin D.
Include milk, curd, cheese, green vegetables and dry fruits in your diet.
Do light exercise or yoga so that there is no stiffness in the joints.
If pain or swelling persists for a long time, definitely get checked by a doctor.
Get enough sleep and rest, as the body needs time to recover.