When a woman is pregnant, she will go through many changes including experiencing back pain. It's no surprise that her back would experience discomfort because her abdominal area is being stretched ou...

When a woman is pregnant, she will go through many changes including experiencing back pain. It's no surprise that her back would experience discomfort because her abdominal area is being stretched out into a whole new alignment. Her center of gravity will be completely different than in her pre-pregnancy days. She will be experiencing hormonal shifts that are naturally preparing her body to give birth. These will loosen ligaments and muscles which is great for childbirth but not so great for a pain free back. Here are some tips to get through these nine months in a more comfortable way.

- Stand and sit correctly: Posture plays a huge part in painful backs in individuals who are pregnant or not. Standing up straight with ribcage outward, head held high and shoulders back will make a person look and feel better. Now that there's a baby growing inside the belly area, all organs will be squished to the max. Standing up straight will give everything a bit more room in those cramped quarters. The same rules go for sitting. Having a comfy chair with a supportive backing should help.

- Squat down to lift objects: Bending over to pick up a newspaper can be enough to throw one's spine out of alignment. It puts a huge amount of stress on the area to simply bend over to pick things up. By squatting down to pick up newspapers, magazines or anything from the floor, the pressure will be reduced and chances for injury greatly reduced.

- Nix the high heels: When a woman is in the throes of pregnancy, her high heels aren't a great idea. Not only will they throw her center of gravity off even more and make her feet hurt, they will often lead to painful backs. Now is the time to give bodies and feet a break from glamour and go for comfort and stability. Storing those stilettos in the closet for a few months will be smart.

- Stretch and get a bit of exercise: Doing some yoga stretches and walking around will be great for the body. Sometimes tension and inactivity causes more pain and rigidity than exercising and moving around. Exercise will also help the mom-to-be stay in better shape for when the newborn arrives and allow her to snap back into svelteness more readily.

- Sleep position matters: It's important to support the morphing form while sleeping, too. Lying on one's side with pillow positioned in front of and behind the body will alleviate pressure. Sleeping on backs or stomachs during pregnancy should be avoided at all costs.

- Hot or cold packs: Alternating heated or chilled packs and compresses to the painful regions will help a person feel more comfortable. Investing in a heating pad or rice bag that can be micro-waved can help. So can icepacks.

When a woman is pregnant, her body will go through many changes. Experiencing back pain is a common complaint but it can be alleviated with some lifestyle changes and self care. Discussing the issue with the obstetrician or other healthcare provider may be a wise step to take, too.

Article Tags: Back Pain, During Pregnancy