When pregnant, it is important to stay mindful of any body aches you may experience. During the third trimester, women often experience body aches for a variety of reasons. These can range from general discomfort due to the extra weight of pregnancy, to more serious medical issues. It is important to be aware of the causes of body aches during the third trimester, and understand the potential treatments and management strategies. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the most common causes of body aches during the third trimester, as well as how best to treat them. We’ll also discuss any potential risks and how to get help if needed. Understanding what body aches are normal during pregnancy, and when to seek additional medical help, is essential for a safe and healthy pregnancy.
Causes of Body Aches During Pregnancy
The cause of pregnancy aches and pains is usually two-fold: Your changing body, and all those pesky (but oh-so-important!) hormones. As your growing bump puts excess pressure on your muscles and skeleton, your hormones are also amping up and starting to relax your ligaments. “These factors change your posture and center of gravity to accommodate the growing fetus, while at the same time causing weakening of the abdominal walls and increasing strain on the muscles, which results in a combination of body aches and pains,” explains Talitha Bruney, MD, an ob-gyn at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City.
According to Bruney, back pain, which affects a whopping 60% of pregnant women, is the most common complaint when it comes to body aches during pregnancy. However, a lot of first-time mothers also experience abdominal pain earlier in pregnancy, according to Kecia Gaither, MD, an ob-gyn in New York City. The uterus expanding out of the abdominal cavity is the cause of these abdominal pains, known as round ligament pain, which usually go away well into the second trimester, according to her. Related Video.
In the later stages of pregnancy, expectant mothers should watch out for any potential leg, foot, hand, head, or joint pain. According to Bruney, some of those discomforts may be brought on by weight gain or fluid retention-related swelling, which can put more pressure on your joints and nerves.
According to Bruney, “Symptoms vary from person to person and may be based on their level of activity.” Pregnancy body aches may be exacerbated by certain positions, such as standing up from a seated position, sitting in an uncomfortable chair, or remaining motionless for long periods of time, or by a very active mother-to-be with tired muscles. She continues, “Aches and pains can happen at any point in pregnancy, but they’re frequently worst in the third trimester because the baby is bigger at that point.
Heartburn
Heartburn can suddenly become very familiar to some women who had never experienced it prior to becoming pregnant. This uncomfortable burning sensation rises into the upper chest and into the throat. Bailey explains that the pressure from the expanding uterus on the stomach is what causes it. In turn, that pressure forces your stomach’s contents, including the stomach acids that aid in food digestion, back up into your esophagus, which results in the burning sensation.
Solution: Instead of eating three large meals, try eating smaller meals every two to three hours. This is because the fuller your stomach is, the more likely it is that the acid will splash up and irritate your esophagus. Avoid common causes of heartburn, such as spicy foods, coffee, and carbonated beverages. According to McDonald, “Many people find milk or water helpful because it coats the esophagus.” Just be careful not to exceed the recommended dose when using drugstore remedies. (Ask your doctor what OTC medications are safe to take while pregnant.) ) Additionally, position yourself to sleep on an angle at night, when heartburn is most likely to occur, by placing some thick blankets or blocks of wood under the head or legs of your mattress. That helps any stomach acids in your chest flow south.
Rib pain
Because the rib cage somewhat flares out to accommodate the baby, the baby pushing on the ribs can result in pressure and pain in some women, says McDonald. Junior might have even pressed his foot against your ribs.
Solution: Don’t be afraid to try to move that hand or foot just a little bit away from your ribs. To relieve the discomfort and pressure on their ribs, some women also find it helpful to lean back in a chair rather than sitting forward, or they use cold and hot packs, advises McDonald.
FAQ
Are body aches normal in third trimester?
What does it mean when your whole body aches while pregnant?
What aches and pains are normal in third trimester?
What pain Should I worry about in third trimester?
urinary tract infection (UTI) preeclampsia, a condition that causes high blood pressure during pregnancy. placental abruption, a condition that occurs when your placenta separates from your uterus too early.