During pregnancy, a womans body goes through rapid physical changes, which will inevitably cause discomfort to some women. A common complaint in pregnancy is back pain, but fortunately, it is not a chronic problem if it is simply caused by pregnancy; it will resolve itself once the woman gives birth. Even so, back pain should never be taken lightly, because while it is a common symptom in pregnancy, it can sometimes indicate that something more serious is happening. To ensure the health of you and your baby, inform your doctor when you experience back pain.
Of course, the most common cause of back pain during pregnancy is simply the uneven distribution of weight. As the abdominal area expands, the spine undergoes strain to support it. This issue can be compounded by obesity or by carrying multiples. Ask your obstetrician how to best manage your own back pain. He or she might either prescribe a set of exercises to aid in pain management, or you will be advised to take it easy until the baby arrives. There are maternity belts on the market as well that can help to support the extra weight in your abdominal area and relieve the strain on your back.
There are a couple of natural ways to alleviate back pain during pregnancy without medication or exercise, if you feel that exercising might be too strenuous on your body. A couple of things you can do include focusing on posture and relaxing when you feel tired. Many women feel a "nesting" impulse toward the end of their pregnancy, and they will work feverishly to prepare for their babys arrival. The key in both of the above cases is to listen to your body - establish a posture that is comfortable for your rapidly changing body, and refrain from overexertion. The latter is highly important, as overexertion is believed to trigger premature labor.
Even though back pain is no cause for alarm in most cases, some back pain incidents might signal a severe condition. In early pregnancy, some women experience sharp back pain before a miscarriage occurs; while back pain itself is no cause for alarm, it means that you must be attuned to everything else that is going on with your body. When back pain is accompanied by bleeding, it should be addressed by your doctor immediately.
Also, back pain is sometimes a symptom of labor; typically this labor pain is felt in the lower back. If you are not at full term, or you are undergoing a high risk pregnancy, you should check with your obstetrician to rule out the possibility of labor. When back pain is a sign of labor, though, it is usually accompanied by other unique symptoms, including sudden, sharp onset and rhythmic cramping sensations in the lower back. If either of these symptoms occurs, call your obstetrician immediately.
About 80% of pregnant women experience back pain at some point in their pregnancies, so if you are pregnant or are considering becoming pregnant, it is essential to know how to manage your pain, and more importantly, you should learn the symptoms that could possibly indicate that labor is imminent.
