Back pain during pregnancy

Backache is very common during pregnancy. The articles below will outline some of the major causes of back pain and offer tips and advice on soothing pain and reducing the risk of making backache worse. More than half of all pregnant women experience back pain at some point during their pregnancy.

What causes back pain during pregnancy?

There are two types of back pain during pregnancy; these are true back pain and pelvic girdle pain. True back pain is caused by factors that are associated with back pain that occurs outside of pregnancy. Most pregnant women who have true back pain will have experienced pain before they got pregnant; true back pain is caused by pressure being applied to the muscles, discs and tissue in the back. Common causes of true back pain include:

• Heavy lifting
• Poor posture
• Sports injuries
• Tension in the muscles

It is very rare for pregnancy to cause sciatica, despite the common myth that the weight of the baby causes the sciatic nerve to become compressed; sciatica is caused by pressure in the back. Sciatica only affects around 1 percent of pregnant women.

Pelvic girdle pain is completely different to true back pain; it is caused by pregnancy and most treatments used for true back pain do not ease the symptoms of pelvic girdle pain.

Are there any other symptoms?

Aside from the obvious pain, back ache may also cause other symptoms; these include:

• Pain getting progressively worse through the day
• Pain gets worse if you have been standing on your feet for a long period of time
• You may experience some swelling
• You may experience aches in other parts of the body
• Restricted range of movement
• stiffness

If you are suffering from pelvic girdle pain, you will probably experience pain in your pelvic joints when you are doing activities such as walking, climbing the stairs and turning over when you are in bed; if you experience these symptoms, you should talk to your midwife or GP; they may refer you to a physiotherapist or an osteopath for treatment.

What can I do to ease the pain?

There are various things you can do to ease the pain associated with backache; these include:

• Massage: massage helps to reduce tension in the muscles and improves circulation, which can help to reduce pain and stiffness. Massage can also be very relaxing.
• Swimming: swimming is a great way to stay fit and healthy and it can help to ease pain and reduce tension in the back muscles and tissues. Many local swimming pools have special antenatal classes and groups, which are designed specifically for pregnant women.
• Pelvic floor exercises: pelvic floor exercises help to strengthen the muscles in the pelvic floor (this will be a great help during labour), as well as reducing the strain on the back muscles.
• Ensure you have good posture: posture can make a huge difference so make sure your back is straight; if you are struggling, support the bottom of your back with a cushion or pillow.
• Have a bath: warm water can help to relax the muscles and ease pain.
• Acupuncture: some women find that acupuncture can help to ease back pain; however, this treatment is not for everyone, especially if you have a fear of needles! Acupuncture is an alternative therapy and there is a great deal of debate as to whether it is actually an effective treatment.
• Support belts: support belts help to support the back and reduce the pressure on the back.
• Yoga and Pilates: yoga and Pilates can help to ease pain and increase flexibility: make sure your instructor knows that you are pregnant so that they do not ask you to get into any uncomfortable or potentially painful positions.
• Chiropractic: many pregnant women find that chiropractic treatment helps to ease back pain. Chiropractic is now recognised as an effective means of dealing with musculo-skeletal problems; make sure you tell your chiropractor that you are pregnant.

Is it possible to prevent back pain?

It may not be possible to prevent back pain but there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of suffering from back pain; these include:

• Avoid lifting; if you do have to lift something, ensure your body is in the correct position; your knees should be bent and your back should be straight.
• Exercise on a regular basis: exercise has a range of health benefits, including improved muscle tone, improved circulation, reduced muscle tension, increased strength and flexibility and a reduction in stress levels. Exercising prior to getting pregnant will prepare the muscles and tissues and help to reduce the risk of you suffering from muscle and joint pain and stiffness. If you are not used to exercising, build up your fitness gradually; if you don’t like going to the gym, try different sports and activities such as swimming, walking or yoga.
• Wear sensible shoes; this helps to ensure that the spinal column in well supported and will also reduce the risk of accidents and injuries.
• Find a comfortable position when you sleep: as your pregnancy progresses, you may find that it is increasingly difficult to get comfortable at night; if this is the case, try sleeping with cushions and pillows positioned to support your back.
• Avoid twisting your back; try to move your feet to get into different positions, rather than twisting your back.
• Avoid stooping; you can do this by ensuring that your work surface or desk is at a suitable level.

Should I see my doctor?

If back pain starts to inhibit your daily life and becomes persistent and you have tried the methods listed above and they have made no positive impact, contact your GP. If you think you have pelvic girdle pain or sciatica, you should arrange to see your doctor and they may refer you to a physiotherapist or specialist.

Developing Body:

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• A Pregnant Mother’s Developing Body
• Weight gain in the trimesters of Pregnancy
• Nutrition in Pregnancy
• Avoiding Excess Weight Gain during Pregnancy
• Breasts Changes during Pregnancy
• Back pain during pregnancy
• Dental health during pregnancy
• Fluid retention during pregnancy

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