Try Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
Another contributor to back pain is overly tight pelvic muscles. A pelvic floor physiotherapist can help you work on those internal muscles by doing whats basically a massage of your pelvic floor through your vagina. This type of treatment has added benefits, too, as Mickeler says it can reduce the incidence of tearing during delivery, and give you a head start for recovery after your baby is born.
A pelvic floor physiotherapist can also assess the shape of whats called your deep core, which consists of your pelvic floor, your diaphragm, your transverse abdominis and a muscle in your lower back. Mickeler explains that if one part of your deep core isnt working well, it can mean that other parts of your body will have to compensate, which may lead to pain. Aside from working internally, pelvic floor physiotherapists can also use exercise- and rehab-based techniques to help with low-back pain.
Prepare A Complete Medical History
Let your provider know your history of any traumatic back or pelvic injuries, herniated discs, chronic back pain, scoliosis or surgical treatments . This information is not only important for managing low back pain during pregnancy.
It is also very important for your anesthesiologist, should you need spinal anesthesia or an epidural. (This has nothing to do with whether you want pain control for labor or not.
This is in the event that you need anesthesia you want your Anesthesiologist to be prepared.)
What Can I Do To Relieve My Pregnancy Backaches
I’m 7 months pregnant and my back is killing me! How can I get some relief? Fiona
Many pregnant women have achy backs as their bellies grow larger and their muscles and spine strain to carry the extra weight.
During pregnancy, the body also produces the hormone relaxin, which helps prepare the body for childbirth. One of the effects of relaxin is the loosening of ligaments throughout the body, making pregnant women less stable and more prone to injury, especially in their backs.
Here are some ways to help ease your back pain:
Back pain also can be a sign of something else, like labor starting or a urinary tract infection . If you have any questions or concerns, severe pain, pain that isn’t getting better, or other symptoms, talk to your doctor.
Recommended Reading: How To Relieve A Pinched Nerve In Your Lower Back
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.
What Does Back Labor Feel Like
As delivery day approaches, your practitioner will try to determine which way your baby is facing. If you’re in a hurry to find out, look for these clues:
When your baby is anterior , your belly may feel hard and smooth .
If your little one is posterior , your tummy may look flatter and softer because your baby’s arms and legs are facing forward .
Once contractions start, back labor feels like strong pain in your lower back that gets worse during each contraction and doesn’t usually subside as things progress.
Read Also: Should I See A Chiropractor Or Doctor For Back Pain
Practice Relaxation Techniques And Sleep Right
Meditation, guided imagery, or deep breathing can help you relax and may help relieve your low back pain during pregnancy.
Sleeping in the right position can be helpful too! Try to sleep on your side with your knees bent.
Many pregnant women benefit from the use of a pregnancy pillow and find they get tremendous relief of their low back pain
symptoms. There are many types of pregnancy pillows and many manufacturers.
Pregnancy pillows help low back pain primarily by offering support to the head, neck, spine, hips and lower extremities.
Initially, you will very likely experience immediate improvement in sleep comfort.
However, what is most remarkable is the improvement you will notice in your low back pain over time.
The pregnancy pillow is therapeutic because it offers consistent support and alignment of your lower back.
As with any physical therapy, it will take consistent use of the pillow to experience prolonged improvement in low back pain during pregnancy.
The following standard full-body pregnancy pillows are among the most popular for sleep comfort and relief of low back and pelvic pain.
There are many other pregnancy pillow variations available to address specific needs.
Two examples are the knee pillow which is intended to help alleviate sciatic pain and the wedge pillow, which helps support the abdomen in a comfortable anatomic position.
The smaller pillows are also far more practical for those who travel and cannot carry a full-body pregnancy pillow with them.
What Influences Pain Intensity During Pregnancy
While age and smoking status has been not been shown to increase pain levels, higher body mass, more pregnancies, a previous history of back pain, and a previous history of pain during pregnancy have been connected to an increase in peripartum pain.
Also, younger women tend to have more intense pain when compared to older women. Studies have reported that approximately 10% of women said back pain during pregnancy prevented them from working, and more than 80% said it affects their ability to do daily tasks.
You May Like: Can Intestines Cause Back Pain
Area And Quality Of Pain
The localization of pain is deep. Itâs even possible that localization of the pain changes over time. Pelvic girdle pain has been described as âstabbingââ , pain in the lower back as a âdull acheââ and the pain in the thoracic spine is rather âburningââ. Other pain-descriptions are: shooting pain, feeling of oppression and a sharp twinge.Pregnancy-related low back pain is characterized by a dull pain and is more pronounced in forward flexion with associated restriction in spine movement and palpation of the erector spinae muscles exacerbates pain.
You May Like: Whats The Best Treatment For Lower Back Pain
Strap On A Maternity Belt
If you have pelvic girdle pain around your middle lower back and hips, a maternity belt may relieve your pain. This support garment does the work of the ligaments, muscles and fascia of the girdle area, explains Richter. But, she cautions, it should not be worn all of the time, because those muscles will stop working and will need to be retrained after you have your baby. I usually recommend that clients wear them during more taxing activitiessuch as activities with lots of bending, lifting, walking or standingjust so theyre not in discomfort, she explains. And then I give them exercises to try and resolve the issue.
Mickeler warns against wearing the belts too tightly, which can contribute to pelvic organ prolapse. Because of this, its best to have a practitioner guide you on how to use one.
Read more:
Don’t Miss: What Causes Lower Back Pain Just Above The Buttocks
When Should I See My Doctor For Back Pain During Pregnancy
Even if you experience only mild back pain, it is important to inform your doctor. He or she can recommend the best methods for you to manage those symptoms and can then monitor you throughout your pregnancy for worsening symptoms.
If your symptoms are severe, become severe, and are persistent or prolonged, call your doctor right away.
You should call your doctor and seek immediate medical care if your back pain is accompanied by:
- Numbness or weakness: Severe pain, numbness or weakness in the legs may be a sign of a condition called sciatica. While sciatica is not common, its symptoms can be similar to normal back pain. However, sciatica can cause leg pain that is more severe than your back pain. You will likely feel it below the knee and in your foot and toes, along with a tingling sensation, numbness or weakness. Call your doctor immediately if you feel weakness in one or both legs, or lose sensation in your legs, groin, bladder, or anus.
- Fever and dull ache: A fever accompanied by a dull ache across your lower back or along the sides of your back could be a sign of a kidney or bladder infection, or urinary tract issues. This would require immediate attention and treatment with antibiotics. Call your doctor immediately if you feel back pain accompanied by painful urination, blood in the urine, chills, or fever.
Sheep Organics Sleepy Body Lotion
8 Sheep Organics Sleepy Body Lotion is specifically formulated to help pregnant women combat the issues that prevent them from sleeping.
Its completely natural, and is a great source of magnesium. The way the lotion works is you can massage it into the areas you have pain, or just all over your body as stress-relief.
When massaged into your skin, it will start working to relax the area and calm not just your body, but your mind as well. It really helps prepare you for a night of deep, restorative sleep. One of the biggest benefits this lotion offers is relieving lower back, hip, and knee pain.
It also combats restless leg syndrome and cramps, another issue preventing those expecting from falling asleep.
It’s backed by a 60 day guarantee. So you can try it today and if you dont love it, well refund you! Thats how confident we are that this remedy can help you.
You May Like: What Can You Do When Your Lower Back Hurts
Strengthen Your Abdominal Muscles
Sit-ups arent exactly a pregnancy-friendly exercise. To strengthen your abdominal muscles, do the following exercises a few days a week. Remember that lightweight is recommended, and you should never push yourself too hard during pregnancy.
Simply using and moving your muscles will help to strengthen them sufficiently.
- Abdominal twists: Place your feet hip-width apart. Bend your knees so you are in a half-squat. Do not squat too deeply, and if you feel any discomfort, make your squat more shallow. Holding a lightweight in each hand against your chest, twist at the waist from side to side. Do not wildly swing your body, but instead maintain control and squeeze your abdominal muscles as you twist back and forth.
- Upper cuts: Standing again in a partial-squat position with light weights, make an upper-cut punching motion while twisting slightly at the waist. Keep your abs tight. You can also do this exercise without weights.
- Knee lifts: Stand up with your hands on your hips. Raise your knee in a slow and controlled motion, making sure you are lifting with your abdominals. If you can do so comfortably, crunch forward slightly as your knee comes up to work your abs harder. If you have trouble with balance, you can do this exercise while standing against a wall.
Remember to always consult with your doctor before attempting these exercises and make sure you do not have any risk factors that could prevent you from performing these exercises.
Why Do I Have Back Pain
During pregnancy your ligaments loosen up and stretch to get your body ready for labour. This puts strain on your joints, which can cause back pain.
Pregnancy also affects your posture . When youre pregnant, the natural curve in your spine increases because its trying to cope with the extra weight of your baby bump. This can cause pain.
Many women say the pain is worse in the evening and after 28 weeks of pregnancy .
Some women with lower back pain also have pelvic girdle pain , which is a common condition in pregnancy. It describes the pain caused by the pelvic joints getting stiff or less stable during pregnancy.
Back problems can affect your sleep and make it harder to go about your everyday life. But there are a few things you can do to help ease the pain, sleep better and stay strong throughout your pregnancy.
You May Like: What To Do To Ease Lower Back Pain
How Can You Prevent Back Pain During Pregnancy
Other Remedies For Sciatic Nerve Pain
A gentle massage over the lower section of your back can do a lot to help relieve inflammation and discomfort around your sciatic nerve. Its best to go to a professional masseuse, whos experienced in pregnancy-specific massages. A lot of spas even offer special mom-to-be massages to help relieve all of the aches and pains that come with pregnancy, while also making sure you and baby are safe.
You can also use a tennis ball to give yourself a massage at home. If youre early on in your pregnancy, you can lay on your back with the tennis ball under your lower back to roll out the tension. As your pregnancy progresses, we recommend you do this while sitting against the back of a chair.
Make sure you avoid sitting for long periodsif you have a desk job get up and take a walk regularly. Its also a good idea to use heat packs on your lower back or buttocks while youre sitting, to help keep tension from forming in those muscles. Being mindful of your posture while sitting will also help reduce irritation around your sciatic nerve. Taking a warm bath, using over-the-counter pain relievers, or using a foam roller on your buttocks and lower legs are all great ways to ease the pain.
Recommended Reading: How To Help Back Pain From Standing All Day
You May Like: How To Workout With Lower Back Pain
Back Labor Vs Regular Labor
Labor contractions can cause pain in just the lower abdomen or the lower abdomen and the back. Normal labor contractions feel like intense menstrual cramps that come and go with increasing intensity. Regular contractions are only slightly felt in the back.
Back labor is much more intense pain in your lower back. The pain in your back tends to continue between contractions and gets particularly uncomfortable at the height of a contraction.
What Causes Back Pain During Pregnancy
Back pain during pregnancy is related to a number of factors. Some women begin to have lower back pain with the onset of pregnancy. Women who are most at risk for back pain are those who are overweight or had back pain prior to pregnancy.Here is a list of potential causes of back pain or discomfort during pregnancy:
- Increase of hormones Hormones released during pregnancy allow ligaments in the pelvic area to soften and the joints to become looser in preparation for the birthing process this shift in joints and loosening of ligaments may affect the support your back normally experiences.
- Center of gravity Your center of gravity will gradually move forward as your uterus and baby grow, which causes your posture to change.
- Additional weight Your developing pregnancy and baby create an additional weight that your back must support.
- Posture or position Poor posture, excessive standing, and bending over can trigger or escalate the pain you experience in your back.
- Stress Stress usually accumulates in weak areas in the body, and because of the changes in your pelvic area, you may experience an increase in back pain during stressful periods of your pregnancy.
Recommended Reading: How To Describe Back Pain
Lower Back And Abdominal Pain With Cramping
Sudden onset of severe abdominal pain and cramping may indicate a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. In this condition, the egg fertilizes and grows in a place other than the uterus, most commonly inside the fallopian tube, which ruptures due to the growing size of the fertilized egg.7
The symptoms of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy may also include severe lower back and/or groin pain. This condition is a medical emergency and must be treated with surgical intervention on an urgent basis.
Avascular Necrosis Of The Femoral Head
Biological changes in pregnancy resulting in high levels of natural steroids, including adrenocorticoid, estrogen, and progesterone hormones, combined with weight gain, may cause increased joint pressure and muscle strain in the hip. These changes may result in a condition called avascular necrosis of the upper part of the femoral bone . The condition causes destruction of bone tissue in the femoral head due to lack of blood supply.2
The symptoms of avascular necrosis of the femoral head start around the third trimester and include2:
- Pain that is felt deep in the groin
- Radiating and referred pain to the lower back, thigh, and/or knee
The symptoms are exacerbated on bearing weight, such as while standing and/or walking.
Don’t Miss: How To Treat Lower Back Muscle Pain
