Most women will experience back pain in time of pregnancy and that’s pretty normal. However, at times, back during pregnancy shouldn’t just be passed off as only a normal thing that can be tolerated, it can make life a nightmare during this time you are maintain pregnancy along with other household activities or work related duties. Lower back pain arising in time of pregnancy can actually cause a spiral effect on your life.
The most common area of your spine that is affected by pain during pregnancy is the lower back. This occurs in the area around a woman’s sacrum. That area is the spot where most pregnant women will at some stage try reaching their back and placing their hand in the lower area of the spine, above the buttocks. Women who are prone to having lower back pain will have it worsen in time of pregnancy. The reason why pregnancy increases the risk of having lower back pain is because of the changes that occur in regard to the mother’s center of gravity.
Pregnant women, in an attempt to avoid falling forward, they will compensate for that by learning backward. When this happens, it creates some strain on their lower back. In the later stages of a woman’s pregnancy, lower back pain will tend to get worse because there is increased weight of the baby and an increase in the hormone levels of the mother. The prevalence of back pain in time of pregnancy varies, however, it is estimated that between 50 and 70 percent of pregnant women will experience back pain. The pain not only disrupts your good night’s sleep but also your daily routine and the ability to maintain your pregnancy.
Causes of Back Pain In Early Pregnancy
While back pain at time of pregnancy may be a healthy symptom denoting bodily changes, it may also be caused by other complications. These include:
Round ligament pain: The uterus will grow to try to accommodate the fetus and the surrounding fluid. When this is happening, the tissues connecting the uterus to the pelvic area and the abdomen may become stretched. The stretching may be painful and is often referred to as round ligament pain. After the first weeks of pregnancy, women may begin to have this pain and it increases toward the end of their first trimester, that’s about 14 weeks of pregnancy. Movements such as laughing, sneezing, and moving may worsen the round ligament pain. A woman can reduce the pain by resting and making slow movements.
Miscarriage: If you think that having lower back pain in pregnancy is something usual and expected, then you may want to realize that it can as well indicate a miscarriage. Miscarriages mostly happen in the first 13 weeks of women’s pregnancy, according to American Pregnancy Association. The warning signs of having a miscarriage include mild or severe back pain often worse compared to menstrual cramps. A woman may have contractions that are painful and reoccur after every five to 20 minutes. A woman may experience other symptoms such as passing of tissue occurring from the vagina and spotting.
While miscarriages cannot be prevented, women are advised to seek help of a doctor to reduce chances of having an infection, especially when the tissue remains in the uterus following the miscarriage.
Posture change: In pregnancy the uterus will grow putting stress and strain on a woman’s back. There are changes in a woman’s center of gravity as the stomach gets larger, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The changes can make the woman to start leaning backward and adopt some other poor postures causing soreness in their back. There also may be straining of the back muscles because of the weight of the uterus, however, this discomfort occurs mostly in the later stages of pregnancy.
Hormones: During pregnancy, there is an increase of different hormones. Relaxin is one hormone that increases during this time, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. This hormone is responsible for making the ligaments of a woman to relax to allow easy delivery. When the hormone begins increasing in the body, it may cause a woman to have back pain arising from joints in the body that are becoming too flexible.
Implantation: A fertilized egg will implant six to 12 days following conception. Talking of implantation, this is the process in which a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. Some women may not notice the symptoms associated with implantation, however, for others, it may present with spotting and abdominal cramping. The spotting tends to be light and resolves quickly. At times, a woman may not realize that she is pregnant, therefore she will assume that these signs indicate an upcoming period.
Ectopic pregnancy: This occurs when the fertilized egg attaches itself in other areas other than the uterine wall. Mostly, the fertilized egg is going to attach to the fallopian tube, according to Kids Health. Usually an ectopic pregnancy is not going to be carried to term. Allowing the egg to remain there may make the fallopian tube to rupture or it could make the egg to separate from its place of attachment resulting in internal bleeding.
The warning signs of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy include pain in abdomen, pelvis, and lower back. There may be vaginal bleeding. In the event that rupture occurs and induces internal bleeding, there may be pain within the shoulder and neck area. The woman may also become dizzy. Having ectopic pregnancy is considered an emergency and immediate help of a doctor should be sought.
An ectopic pregnancy implanting partially in fallopian tube and partially in the uterus will tend to rupture in the period between 12th and 16th week of pregnancy. If the fallopian tube of a woman ruptures, she will have severe pain coming on suddenly. The woman will faint because of extensive internal bleeding within the abdomen.
Preventing Back pain in Pregnancy
Back pain in time of pregnancy may not be prevented completely, and at some point it will occur, and that’s expected. There are things that a woman needs to do so that they reduce the frequency and severity of the pain. A woman may exercise their body to help support and strengthen the back as well as the abdomen. Remember that pregnant women need tailored exercises, so ask your healthcare provider or doctor to advise you on the most appropriate and safe exercise to take.
Instead of bending, you may want to squat when picking up something. Try to avoid walking in high heels and other footwear that don’t offer adequate support. Refrain from sleeping on the back. Wearing a support belt right under the lower belly may also help prevent the pain. Ensure that you get plenty of rest – elevating the feet may also help your back. A chiropractor can help adjust your back, so visit one near you.
Back Pain During Pregnancy- Treatment
You can treat back pain in pregnancy by applying ice or heat. Using support devices or braces may also help you. There are medications you can take to treat inflammation, make sure that you get the prescription from a doctor or healthcare provider. There are medications that you cannot take if you are pregnant.
Try to sleep on the left side and use a pillow placed under the knees. You may want to visit a message therapist to help ease the pain. Keep the principles of good posture by not locking your knees, by keeping the shoulders back and also relaxed. Make sure you hold the chest high and whenever you stand up, do it straight and tall.
While back pain in time of pregnancy may not warrant you to see a doctor, you may want to contact a healthcare professional if you have the following:
- Increasingly severe or sudden-onset of the back pain
- Severe back pain
- Rhythmic cramping pain – it may be a preterm labor sign.
