Pregnancy Pain
Managing Early Pregnancy Back Pain
Executive Summary By Sky Joe
Although pregnancy is generally a wonderful experience, there are several associated discomforts including: morning sickness, indigestion, varicose veins, leg cramps as well as the early pregnancy back pain. The severity of the pregnancy back pain ranges from mild discomfort after standing for long periods, to debilitating pain that limits a woman’s ability to function.
Early pregnancy back pain can be mainly attributed to the imbalance in muscle strength and flexibility, coupled with poor postural habits. Muscles need to be strong to support the joints. If the abdominals are weak, the lower back is vulnerable to injury because it is not well supported for strenuous activities.
Besides, poor posture such as slouching or repetitive bending can also cause back pain during early pregnancy stage. Pregnant women experience significant changes in their posture due to the increased weight distribution at the abdomen. If coupled with poor postural habits, they are at even greater risk of injury. You must take time to prepare both mentally and physically for the challenge of pregnancy and childbirth. Hence, it is important that you learn and perform the back pain exercises during the various stages of your pregnancy.
By performing the back pain exercises, it can help you prevent and manage the back pain and achieve a balance between stability and flexibility. This will also assist in your labor, delivery and post-partum recovery.
Back Pain And Pregnancy
Executive Summary By Abid Hussain
The Aches and Pains of Pregnancy
Women with pre-existing back pain prior to pregnancy have an easier time adjusting to the discomfort as the pregnancy develops. Proper medical advice and treatment can prevent back pain from becoming a complication when labor occurs.
Causes of Pregnancy Back Pain
Two categories of back pain during pregnancy are caused by:
1.) Strained ligaments, muscles, discs and joints – caused by poor posture, incorrect lifting methods, weak or taut muscles, or injury, this type of back pain can occur with people even before pregnancy. A minority of pregnant women may experience symptoms of sciatica during the course of their pregnancy. Other symptoms include tingling, weakness, backaches, and pain traveling down one leg.
2.) Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) – this back pain is pregnancy-related and may need to be treated differently from standard back pain. A majority of pregnant women who experience back pain during pregnancy suffer from this ailment.
Preventing Back Pain
Even if pregnancy has already occurred, keeping fit is still possible through exercise specially tailored for pregnant women (refer to antenatal fitness portion). These exercises can lower the risks of developing pregnancy-related back pain. Women unaccustomed to exercise are advised to take it slow.
Ways to Alleviate Back Pain
1.) Taking care of the back (refer to “Protecting Your Back and Pelvis During Pregnancy” for more information).
2.) Massage – particularly when performed on the lower back, massage can result in considerable relief for tired and aching muscles. One relaxing method is to lean over the back of a chair or lie on one side while the muscles on both sides of the lower spine are massaged. Massage performed by a massage therapist, a midwife, or a physiotherapist may further relieve back pain.
3.) Heat and water – taking a warm and soothing bath, using a hot pack, or even a warm water shower can alleviate symptoms of back pain.
4.) Wearing a support belt – a maternity or support belt can help hold up the baby’s weight, easing the strain on the stomach and back muscles.
5.) Using a support pillow – sleeping on one side with a wedged-shaped pillow beneath the tummy can lessen back pain.
6.) Strength and stability exercises – exercises involving the pelvis and lower abdominals can strengthen back and stomach muscles to help support the baby’s weight. The stomach muscles are then allowed to relax after each contraction.
7.) Having a good posture – this helps particularly if pain symptoms are centred on the tailbone, or coccyx. 8.) Aqua-natal classes – according to research, these water exercises can significantly decrease pregnancy-related back pain.
8.) Aqua-natal classes – according to research, these water exercises can significantly decrease pregnancy-related back pain.
You may want to check out another article about baby care or getting pregnant.






