Back pain during pregnancy is a common condition that affects millions of women. Although it is not life-threatening, it can be extremely uncomfortable and affect your body’s agility. The pain in the lower back is often described as dull and unrelenting. For most women, the pain typically occurs where the spine and pelvis meet. When you wake up in the morning, your back may feel stiff; the pain develops into soreness throughout the day. Performing recommended regular exercises that focus on your spine can help provide back pain relief.
Backache during pregnancy can be caused by several physical factors, such as weight gain, hormonal changes, and changes in posture.
Additional Weight Gain-
Women gain an average of 25 to 35 pounds during a healthy pregnancy. However, there are several factors that can contribute to this large amount of weight gain. Pregnancy-related fat and the growing baby’s body are two main reasons for the excessive weight gain. This increased weight can cause lower back pain because the baby and uterus are applying pressure on the nerves and blood vessels in the back and pelvis. The spine has to support all of this additional weight, which leads to a dull ache in the spine.
Changes Caused By Hormone-
A hormone called relaxin is produced by your body during pregnancy. As part of the delivery preparation, this hormone causes the ligaments in the pelvic region to loosen up and relaxes the joints as preparation for delivery. Your lower back pain persists as a result of the loosed ligaments, which support the spine. The consequence is pain and instability of the back. This is a delicate condition that requires extra care and attention. It is essential that you stay away from carrying heavy work during pregnancy to bring some back pain relief and prevent damage to the spine.
Change In Body Posture-
Pregnancy brings about a lot of changes – not just to your body, but also to your posture. As your baby grows, your center of gravity starts to shift, and you may find yourself adjusting the way you stand and move. This can put extra stress on your spine and lead to back pain. To help ease the discomfort, try to focus on good posture and alignment, and avoid lifting heavy objects.
Backaches are unfortunately a common part of pregnancy for a lot of women. However, it’s very important to keep your ob/gyn in the loop about the pain you’re experiencing. She’ll be able to help come up with a plan that eases the discomfort and strengthens the muscles in your lower back. Pregnancy is a delicate time for your body, so it’s important to avoid sudden movements that could cause more serious spine problems later on in the pregnancy.
