Back pain is a very common complaint with pregnant women. It is important to be aware of what causes back pain and when should one seek medical advice? Constant back discomfort can interfere with your daily routine and in many cases, if not taken care of, can lead to complications during delivery and even later.

Are You At An Increased Risk of Developing Backache During Pregnancy ?

There are certain factors that increase your chances of developing pain in the back during pregnancy such as -

1.Extreme and strenuous physical work
2.Lifting heavy objects, including taking care of an older child/baby
3.Already existing backache, prior to conception

Most of the women today are suffering form the backache problem; this problem can become worse due to unawareness. Bad sitting posture or standing posture can be one of the reasons for backache. Back problems usually tend to worsen in the later part of the day or if you have been standing continuously for a long time. This happens because the muscles get tired by the end of the day and the ligaments get stretched due to the increased body weight.

What Causes Back Discomfort In Pregnant Women?

1. Hormonal changes in a woman body are an important backache cause. The increase in pregnancy hormones lead to softening of the ligaments to facilitate childbirth (as the birth canal has to expand and increase in elasticity to provide passage for the baby). The growing fetus also puts strain on the soft abdominal ligaments leading to backache.

2. Another causative agent is lifting heavy objects or strenuous physical exercise. Moreover, if you already have a history of backache, then be cautious as it is going to worsen in the coming months unless proper care is taken.

3. The commonest cause of back pain is dysfunction of the sacroiliac joint. This condition can be quite excruciating, but the good news is that you can get treatment for it.

4. Sciatica can be another reason for back discomfort during pregnancy. This is a condition when the sciatic nerves located at the end of the spinal cord get inflamed. Many a time, the bundle of nerves even become impaired leading to pinching pins and needles. You can get relief from sciatic backpain through physical therapy along with gentle exercises.

5. Back pain may also result due to a condition known as Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD). Usually occurring towards the end of the first trimester, the symptoms are pain in