Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP or midwife urgently if:
You have back pain and you:
are in your second or third trimester – this could be a sign of early labour
also have a fever, bleeding from your vagina or pain when you pee
have pain in one or more of your sides (under your ribs)
Avoiding and easing back pain in pregnancy
Try these tips:
bend your knees and keep your back straight when you lift or pick something up from the floor
avoid lifting heavy objects
move your feet when you turn to avoid twisting your spine
wear flat shoes to evenly distribute your weight
try to balance the weight between 2 bags when carrying shopping
keep your back straight and well supported when sitting – look for maternity support pillows
get enough rest, particularly later in pregnancy
have a massage or a warm bath
use a mattress that supports you properly – you can put a piece of hardboard under a soft mattress to make it firmer, if necessary
go to a group or individual back care class
Unless your doctor or midwife advises against it, you can take paracetamol to treat your back pain while you are expecting. Always follow the instructions on the packet.
Causes of Back Pain in Pregnant Women
The sacroiliac joint, where your pelvis and spine converge, is frequently the site of pregnancy back pain.
There are many possible reasons why it happens. Here are some of the more likely causes:
Weight gain. During a healthy pregnancy, women typically gain between 25 and 35 pounds. The spine has to support that weight. That can cause lower back pain. The weight of the growing baby and uterus also puts pressure on the blood vessels and nerves in the pelvis and back.
Posture changes. Pregnancy shifts your center of gravity. As a result, you may gradually — even without noticing — begin to adjust your posture and the way you move. This may result in back pain or strain.
Hormone changes. During pregnancy, your body makes a hormone called relaxin that allows ligaments in the pelvic area to relax and the joints to become looser in preparation for the birth process. The same hormone can cause ligaments that support the spine to loosen, leading to instability and pain.
Muscle separation. As the uterus expands, two parallel sheets of muscles (the rectus abdominis muscles), which run from the rib cage to the pubic bone, may separate along the center seam. This separation may worsen back pain.
Stress. Emotional stress can cause muscle tension in the back, which may be felt as back pain or back spasms. You may find that you experience an increase in back pain during stressful periods of your pregnancy.
Back Pain During Pregnancy – Types, Causes & Remedies
