Good news that it's happening that your child is growing. It's how it is expected to happen — but it's hard on your back.
There are a lot of people to talk to. Most pregnant women have back pain, which usually starts during the second half of the pregnancy.
There are steps you can take to ease back discomfort. Here's what can help.
Causes of Back Pain in Pregnant Women
The most common place for back pain in pregnancy is at the point where your pelvis joins your spine at the sacroiliac joints.
There are a myriad of possible causes that could explain why it occurs. Here are a few most likely reasons:
- The weight gain. Pregnant women usually gain between 25 and 35 pounds. The spine must help support that weight. It can result in lower back discomfort. The growth of the baby and uterus puts pressure on blood vessels and nerves that run through the pelvis as well as the back.
- Posture alters. The birth process alters the position of your body's weight center. This means that you might slowly — and without even noticing it beginning to change your posture as well as the way you move. This could cause back tension or discomfort.
- Hormone changes. During pregnancy, your body produces relaxin, a hormone that allows the pelvic region to relax, and joints to loosen up to prepare to birth. The same hormone could cause ligaments supporting the spine to become loose in the process, causing the spine becoming unstable and causing pain.
- The muscles are separated. As the uterus grows and expands, two layers of muscle (the muscles of the rectus abdominis) that run from the rib cage up to the pubic bone may split along the middle edge. This can cause back pain.
- Stress. Stress can trigger back muscle tension and can be felt as back spasms or back pain. You may be experiencing an increased back pain in difficult times during your pregnancy.
Treatments for Back Pain in Pregnancy
The good news is that, unless you've suffered from backaches for a long time before becoming pregnant, your back pain will likely decrease gradually as the birth.
There are a variety of options to ease back pain, or make it more common and less severe:
- Exercise. Regular exercise helps strengthen muscles and increases flexibility. It can help ease the pressure to your back. Safe exercises for pregnant women include swimming, walking or stationary cycling. Your physical therapist or doctor will recommend exercises for strengthening your abdominal and back muscles.
- Cold and heat. Applying cold and heat to your back can assist. If your physician accepts this, you can begin by putting cool compresses (such as bags of ice or frozen vegetable wrapped in towels) on the affected area for 20 to 30 minutes at a time throughout the day. After a period of two or three days, change to heating — place the heated pad, or hot bottle over the affected area. Make sure not to heat the abdomen while pregnant.
- Enhance your posture. The strain on your spine from slouching can be a problem. Thus, ensuring you are in a good posture when working, sitting or laying down is a smart choice. For instance, lying on your back with a pillow in between your knees can ease the strain on your back. When you sit at your desk and cannot sit up straight, roll a towel on your back to support you and put the feet of a pile of books or on a stool and then sit straight and your arms back. If you are standing, push your hips up and pull the shoulders to your back. It is possible to lean backwards to help your belly grow. A belt that supports you may assist.
- Stretch regularly. Check out the “backward stretch,“” as well as the “low back stretch” as well as”standing pelvic tilt. “standing hip tilt.” These exercises strengthen your pelvic and back muscles.
- Counseling. When back problems are linked to stress, speaking with an experienced counselor or a friend who you trust might be helpful.
- Acupuncture. Acupuncture is a type of Chinese treatment in which tiny needles are inserted into the skin in specific places. Acupuncture research has proven that it is effective in relieving lower back pain in pregnancy. Talk to your healthcare doctor if you want to take it for a test.
- Chiropractic. When done properly, Chiropractic manipulation of the spine may be secure during pregnancy. However, talk to your doctor prior to taking chiropractic treatment.
Additional tips:
- If you have to grab something from the floor, use your legs for squatting instead than bend.
- Avoid wearing high-heeled footwear. Select low-heeled footwear with good arch support. Keep in mind that since hormones loosen joints, you might have to purchase a bigger shoe size.
- Do not lie down on your back.
If back pain continues to bother you, talk to your doctor to find out what other treatments you could explore. Always consult with your physician before taking painkillers. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is suitable for pregnant women to take. Aspirin as well as other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) are not recommended. In certain instances your physician may suggest other pain medication or muscles relaxants which are safe during pregnancy.
When to Seek Treatment From a Doctor
Back pain, on its own generally isn't an indication to contact your doctor. However, it is essential to call your doctor as soon as you suffer from any of the following symptoms:
- Extreme pain
- Intensively severe pain or pain that is sudden
- The pain of cramps is often a constant source of discomfort.
- Trouble urinating, promptly “pins and needles” in your extremities
In rare instances, severe back pain could be due to issues like pregnancy-associated osteoporosis or vertebral osteoarthritis as well as septic arthritis. In some cases, a pattern of pain could be an indication pregnancy preterm. If you're having any of these symptoms, it is essential that your physician examines them.