As far as symptoms of pregnancy are concerned, lower back pain is a pregnancy symptom that almost half of all pregnant women experience. Many women feel it early on, and quite a few will experience lower back pain throughout their whole pregnancy.
Key Points
- A sharp increase in the amount of weight in your front changes your center of gravity. Your back needs to work extra hard to account for this.
- Try to use a pillow positioned between your knees when you sleep.
- Use heat on your back to alleviate pain if necessary.
Understanding Lower Back Pain During Pregnancy
Lower back pain in pregnancy occurs for several reasons. Your weight changes, with your center of gravity shifting towards the front of your body. Most of your extra pregnancy weight is in the front, which creates a strain on your back as it tries to adjust your balance.
The way you sit as your body changes, along with the way you sleep at night, will also have a pronounced effect on how much lower back pain you have to deal with. If you are a side sleeper and your body is out of line from all the physical changes, your lower back will feel the difference. A pillow positioned between your knees can alleviate much of the pressure on your lower back.
Additionally, your body is changing in preparation for delivering a baby. Your muscles, joints and ligaments are getting looser to get ready for labor. Many women say their lower back pain disappears immediately after birth, and while symptoms of pregnancy do disappear after birth make sure you care for your back during your pregnancy to avoid future problems.
Tips for Caring for Your Back During Pregnancy
Lower back pain during pregnancy is often an unavoidable symptom. Thankfully, there are things that you can do to alleviate back pain and care for your back during this time.
Sit in a good chair. As often as possible, sit in chairs that provide good back support. Office chairs are a great choice; many of them provide extra lumbar support. While sitting on the couch can be comfy, couches don't always give you the support you need. If you work in an office setting, make sure you have a good chair to sit in throughout the day.
Get a massage. If you're experiencing a lot of lower back pain due to pregnancy, consider getting a massage. This can help relieve pain and tension in your muscles. Aim to go to a professional masseuse; they'll know exactly what points to target to relieve your pain and soreness.
Don't put unnecessary stress on your back. Your back is already dealing with enough as it is! It doesn't need more strain placed on it. Avoid lifting and carrying heavy objects. Remember to pick up objects the right way, so that you don't strain your back. Avoid any exercises or movements that could strain or injure your back.
Apply heat. If your back is especially sore or painful, apply heat to the affected area. A heating pad works best for this; you can easily find them at Walmart or Target, or online at Amazon. Start with a low setting, as heating pads can get extremely hot. Gradually increase the heat level as needed.
Talk to your doctor. If at any point your back pain becomes especially severe, talk to your doctor as soon as possible. This could be a sign of a problem. If your back pain becomes unbearable or is having a severe impact on your quality of life, talk to your doctor to see if there's anything you can do to alleviate it, beyond the tips offered in this article. Your doctor is your greatest ally during this time.
Do not take the content of this article as professional medical advice. It's important to exercise due diligence when obtaining relevant information in matters pertaining to your health. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.