Tips For Getting In And Out Of Bed With Back Pain
- Try to avoid lying flat for long periods of time. Its better for your back and your baby to lie on your side.
- You may find it more comfortable to have a pillow under your bump or between your knees to support your back. This can help you sleep better, too.
- Some women find pregnancy pillows can help, but they can be pricey. You may find a normal pillow does the trick.
- If you are getting pain in your hip from lying on your side, it may help to place a duvet under your sheet or use a memory-foam topper for a softer mattress.
Getting in and out of bed can get more difficult as your bump gets bigger. To take the strain off your back, try rolling onto your side moving your shoulders, hips and knees at the same time. Let your legs ease off the edge of the bed and put your feet on the floor. At the same time, use your arms to push yourself up to a sitting position.
Doing this all as one movement can be more comfortable. Try the movement backwards to get back into bed.
Can I Get Rid Of Back Spasms
So how does one eliminate back spasms or reduce their frequency? Behram suggests applying heat or ice to the lower back for short durations when you feel spasms.
Relaxation and massage therapies can also be extremely beneficial. Patients should inquire and be assured that their massage therapist is certified in pregnancy message, and has the appropriate equipment for expectant moms, suggests Behram. Acupuncture can
Why Is Back Pain So Common In Pregnancy
One of the most common complaints during pregnancy is back pain. In fact, it’s estimated that more than half of all women experience some degree of back discomfort. Most back pain is related to the physical changes that happen during pregnancy, including hormones, changes in the center of gravity, and posture. Unfortunately, it typically gets worse as pregnancy progresses.
Also Check: Is Motrin Good For Back Pain
Contact Your Family Doctor If:
- Your pain worsens or does not go away after 2 weeks. Back pain could be a sign of preterm labor.
- You lose feeling in your back, legs, pelvis, or genital area.
- You have a fever, a burning feeling when you pee, or vaginal bleeding. You may have a urinary tract infection or kidney infection.
- You have an injury or trauma that results in back pain.
Book A Physical Therapy Appointment
Physical therapists, in addition to treating acute injuries, help pregnant women work through back pain by manipulating joints, muscles, and nerve pressure points and providing exercises that expectant moms can continue at home. Rick Olderman, M.S.P.T., a Denver-based physical therapist and the author of Fixing You: Back Pain During Pregnancy, says that one of his goals is to educate patients by “teaching them how to walk, sit, stand, bend forward, lie down, and exercise” in a healthy, back-supporting way.
One thing he does is placing tape on the backs of pregnant women’s knees to “remind them to unlock their knees,” a habit that can put pressure on the large muscles of the legs and hip joints and the back, he says. Because women’s joints become lax as a result of hormonal changes, Olderman also helps show women the importance of limiting their joints’ ranges of motion to about 75 percent. “It may feel good to stretch, but the tissue stress becomes greater,” he says, and can actually exacerbate pain. Some health insurance plans cover physical therapy, which is not always the case with other complementary therapies.
Read Also: Advil Or Aleve For Back Pain
Quarantine Tips To Manage Low Back Pain While Pregnant
Due to the infectious nature of the novel Coronavirus, its crucial for people of all ages and health status to stay at home in order to prevent further spread. For pregnant individuals, stay-at-home orders enacted by almost all 50 U.S. states may have caused a significant increase in lower back pain, anxiety, and stress due to a change in lifestyle, as well as vulnerabilities the situation presents.
With pregnancy comes fluctuating hormone levels and due to that, theres a possibility you could become sensitive to the anxieties and stressors caused by certain situations. When that stress is internalized, the body can respond in unhealthy ways that many times results in pain.
There are a number of physical ailments that more sedentary people are at great risk for one of those is lower back pain. If you are currently pregnant and experiencing any form of back pain, do call your doctor immediately to discuss your symptoms with them, as you normally would during a visit. If the pain is unbearable and you need an instant remedy, try using hot or cold pressure on the area or a gentle massage in that area which will promote circulation and relaxation of the muscles.
- Maintaining good posture
- Regularly moving your body with stretches
- Short walks
Ideal stretches to combat lower back pain in pregnancy include modified versions of Yoga poses, such as the childs pose, half pigeon, and cat-cow. Simply sit on a mat, or on a chair, at home and perform the exercises in this video.
Remedies For Relieving Pain During Pregnancy
Instead of taking painkillers during pregnancy, there are various remedies which work for different types of pain:
Other natural pain remedies you can try instead of painkillers during pregnancy include:
Recommended Reading: Advil Vs Ibuprofen For Back Pain
Back Pain Is Not Accompanied By Abdominal Tightness
When youre in labor, the uterus is contracting. Though you may feel it in your back, the contractions wrap around from the front. If you are experiencing contractions and back labor, you may notice your belly tightening at regular intervals along with your back pain.
Regular back pain is not accompanied by abdominal tightness.
While these tips may help you distinguish between regular back pain and early labor signs, be advised that once labor progresses, if you experience true back labor it may feel very different. During your period of hard labor as opposed to early labor back pain may not let up like regular contractions, and you may feel a constant pain if you are experiencing back labor .
Keep This Statistic In Mind
When To Contact Your Doctor
Back pain is typically a normal part of pregnancy. But in some cases, it can be a sign of serious problems, like preterm labor or a urinary tract infection.
Back pain thats accompanied by fever, burning during urination, or vaginal bleeding shouldnt be ignored. If you experience these symptoms, contact your doctor right away.
You May Like: Does Motrin Help With Back Pain
Recommended Reading: Mayo Clinic Lower Back Pain Exercises
What Back Pain During Pregnancy Feels Like
Every mum-to-be experiences pain differently, so theres no hard and fast rule. For some, the pain may be stronger during certain movements. For others, the pain can radiate down the legs. The pain can come on suddenly or it might present more slowly. The pain can also vary in intensity. Sometimes it can be tricky to pinpoint the exact site of the pain. For example, you might have trouble distinguishing back pain from soreness in your pelvis or hip.
Causes Of Low Back Pain During Pregnancy
Pain in the lower back usually occurs between the 5th and 7th months of pregnancy, although in some cases it begins as early as 8 to 12 weeks. The pain is usually located in the lumbar area in the center of the back between the ribs and the waist. Pain is also common in the back of the pelvis between the waist and the tailbone.
Although back pain is common during pregnancy, there are simple things you can do to ease or avoid it.
There are several causes of lower back pain in pregnant women and here are some of the more common ones:
Recommended Reading: How Much Advil Can I Take For Back Pain
Exercises To Ease Back Pain In Pregnancy
This gentle exercise helps to strengthen stomach muscles, which can ease back pain in pregnancy:
1) Start on all fours with knees under hips, hands under shoulders, fingers facing forwards and stomach muscles lifted to keep your back straight.
2) Pull in your stomach muscles and raise your back up towards the ceiling, letting your head and bum relax downwards gently do not let your elbows lock and only move your back as far as you comfortably can.
3) Hold for a few seconds then slowly return to the box position take care not to hollow your back, it should always return to a straight, neutral position.
4) Do this slowly and rhythmically 10 times, making your muscles work hard and moving your back carefully.
Doing prenatal yoga or aquanatal classes with a qualified instructor can also help build your muscles to better support your back. Ask at your local leisure centre.
Is It Safe To Use A Heating Pad On My Pregnant Belly
While using a heating pad to temporarily relive pain in your joints, hips, and back isnt a problem during pregnancy, avoid using one on your abdomen. There can be many causes of abdominal pain while youre pregnant, including round ligament pain, gas and bloating, and constipation. In some case, abdominal pain can be a symptom of a more serious condition.
You should consult your doctor right away if you experience discomfort or outright pain in your abdomen along with any of these symptoms:
- spotting or bleeding
- pain or discomfort while urinating
- nausea and vomiting
Instead of using a heating pad, try treating minor abdominal discomfort by soaking in a warm bath or changing positions. For example, sit if you were standing or recline if you were seated.
Read Also: Does Motrin Help With Back Pain
Taking Rest And Applying Heat Therapy Can Help Heal Sore Tissues
Taking short periods of rest during the day helps ease muscle spasms and relieves acute pain. While taking rest, keeping both feet elevated can help bend the hips and decrease the curvature in the lower spine.2
Using a heat patch in the lower back area and/or rear pelvis can help reduce soreness, decrease muscle spasm, and improve blood circulation. The heat source must be used for 15 to 20 minutes at a time and be of a tolerable temperature. Placing a barrier, such as a towel, is advisable to avoid burns.
Watch:Video: 3 Easy Exercises for Back Pain in Pregnancy
Maintaining an optimal level of function throughout your pregnancy and having the least amount of discomfort are the main goals of treatment for back pain during pregnancy.
Physical therapy encompasses postural modifications, back strengthening, stretching, and range-of-motion exercises. Appropriate physical therapy and exercise for pregnant women instructed by a trained therapist can help strengthen the soft tissues and muscles around the lumbar spine .2
- Flexion exercises help make the abdominal muscles stronger, improve core strength, and decrease the lumbar curve.2
- Extension exercises help increase strength in the paraspinal muscles that provide stability to the spine.2
Physical therapy and exercise to reduce back pain in pregnancy include low-impact options, such as pelvic tilts, knee-to-chest stretch, straight leg raise, curl-ups, side-lying leg raise, and the Kegel exercises.2
How Can You Prevent Back Pain During Pregnancy
Read Also: Does Aleve Help Back Pain
How Can Back Pain During Pregnancy Be Treated
Back pain is very common in pregnancy and is usually not serious. While it may not be completely preventable, there are some changes you can make to reduce the severity or frequency of your back pain. Some treatments for back pain include:
While these treatments can help reduce symptoms of back pain, some small changes in your habits can also help prevent triggering or worsening back pain. Some changes are:
- If you need to pick something up from the ground, squat down instead of bending over.
- Avoid wearing high heels or other shoes that do not provide adequate support.
- Avoid sleeping on your back.
- Elevate your feet often, especially when sitting for a prolonged period of time.
- Wear a support belt or support hose, if needed.
Unless you experienced chronic back pain prior to pregnancy, your pain will most likely ease gradually before you give birth.
Wear A Maternity Belt
A maternity belt, which you can buy online and in many maternity clothing shops, is a supportive undergarment that helps hold up the belly so the pelvic girdle and lower back aren’t too strained. If your belly is protruding forward in a pronounced way, rather than with your weight diffused across your midsection, the belt can act as a substitute for your abdominal core muscles, which can struggle to prevent your lower spine from painfully exaggerating its curvature. Doctors generally advise women to try maternity belts and use them if they work, but the belts should be seen as a complement to other remedies rather than the only pregnancy back pain relief strategy.
You May Like: Advil For Back Pain Dosage
Treatments For Back Pain In Pregnancy
More good news: Unless you had chronic backaches before you got pregnant, your pain will likely ease gradually before you give birth.
Meanwhile, there are many things you can do to treat low back pain or make it rarer and milder:
Continued
More tips:
- If you need to pick something up from the ground, use your legs to squat rather than bend over.
- Don’t wear high-heeled shoes. Choose low-heeled shoes with good arch support. Remember, as hormones loosen joints, you may need to buy a larger shoe size.
- Don’t sleep on your back.
- Wear support hose.
If your back pain persists, you may want to consult your doctor to see what else you might try. Be sure to consult your doctor before taking pain medications. Acetaminophen is safe for most women to take during pregnancy. Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen are not advised. In some cases, your doctor may recommend other pain medicines or muscle relaxants that are safe during pregnancy.
Second Trimester Back Pain
Second-trimester back pain typically occurs during the latter half of this trimester, after 20 weeks Just to keep in mind, this can be a bit confusing due to the fact that mothers come in different shapes and sizes.
Patients who I have seen that are already overweight during pregnancy can have second trimester back pain even before 20 weeks. By this time, youve likely gained enough weight that its starting to put stress on your body, resulting in back pain.
Also Check: Advil For Lower Back Pain
How To Relieve Upper Back Pain During Pregnancy
While upper back pain during pregnancy is common, it’s possible to get some relief. “Acupuncture and core strengthening work are both helpful to relieve back pain,” suggests Dr. Tham Metz. “Staying active and gaining a healthy amount of weight is also key.”
Supportive shoes and a good bra can make a big difference, especially if the upper back pain is due to increased breast mass. Some experts also suggest prenatal massage to relieve symptoms. Warm or cold compresses might be worth a shot tooand don’t be afraid to ask your doctor about pain medication if the discomfort persists.
To prevent upper back pain, you should stretch regularly, avoid lifting heavy objects, and maintain good posture. That’s because standing tall can alleviate tension and stress.
- RELATED: 14 Remedies for Pregnancy Back Pain
