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Trying to figure out what the back pain in your pregnancy is all about? Backaches during pregnancy are common and considered normal, if the baby is growing well and stays healthy. As the body goes through several changes during this time, back pain can disrupt day-to-day activities, especially the second trimester onward.
One of the causes of excessive back pain during pregnancy is the relaxin hormone. Your body releases this hormone which prepares you for childbirth. Relaxin may loosen, relax and soften ligaments in the joints of your pelvis, which can make you less stable during pregnancy. Therefore, women become more prone to back injuries and pain.
There might be other causes of your increasing back pain like:
Stress can lead to back pain, irrespective of whether you are pregnant or not. Excessive worrying about your baby, pregnancy, work, or family can lead to stress, which causes tightening and weakening of muscles.
Due to weight gain during pregnancy, your back may find it hard to support the growing weight, therefore, causing strain on the muscles. This leads to pain in the lower back.
As your belly grows bigger, your posture will change due to the shift in the centre of gravity. This will lead to changes in posture while you are sitting, walking, or sleeping, and eventually, trigger back pain.
As the uterus expands, two parallel sheets of muscles (the rectus abdominis muscles), which run from the rib cage to the pubic bone, may separate along the centre seam. This separation may worsen back pain.
As the uterus and surrounding ligaments stretch to make room for the baby, it can cause short, painful spasms. Rest and other home remedies may help. But do call your healthcare provider, if the pain won’t go away.
As the centre of gravity shifts forward due to the increasing growth of the baby, women have to lean back to avoid falling forward, which can strain their back muscles. To improve your posture, you should try to stand straight and tall. While sitting, you can place a rolled cloth or towel behind your back for support. Keep your shoulders and back relaxed. If you are standing, try to pull your hips forward.
In case of a backache, you can apply a heating pad or ice pack and massage. After consulting your doctor, you can put cold compression on your back for a few minutes. After 2-3 days, you can switch to a heating pad and apply it to the area.
Do some gentle physical activities, but only after consulting your doctor. Try to do some pregnancy-safe stretching exercises which can give you relief from back pain. Stretch your lower back as well.
Always remember to sleep on your side and not on your back. You should keep your knees bent and put pillows between your knees for support.
Avoid lifting any heavy objects. If you want to lift something, do not bend at the waist. Instead, squat down and lift the object with your legs, and not with the back.
Also, avoid wearing high heels without good arch support. You should also elevate your feet while sitting and provide additional support to your back with a lumbar pillow. Avoid taking any pain medications without consulting your doctor.
Keep in mind that excessive back pain, which lasts for more than two weeks might be a sign of an underlying condition. You must seek medical advice from your doctor, who will prescribe you medications. Back pain with several other symptoms can indicate urinary tract infection (UTI) or preterm labour (if there are rhythmic pains).
Dr V Aruna Kumari,Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist,Electronic City, Bengaluru ...Read More
