Why does my back hurt during pregnancy? Back exercises for pregnant women. Back pain in a pregnant woman: normal or pathological? Back pain during pregnancy: when to worry

The birth of a child is a big event, since the mother sacrifices hours of her own comfort, giving life to a new person, and this sacrifice in most cases is justified. Although, pain often accompanies a woman not only at the stage of labor, but also during the process of carrying the unborn baby in the womb, causing many problems. Why does the lower back hurt during pregnancy, what effect does the timing of the development of the embryo or fetus have on the nature of the pain? How to cope with pain in the lumbar spine? Answers to these questions, as well as questions about treatment and prevention measures, will be given in this article.

The lower back during pregnancy “makes itself known” in 50% of the fairer sex. There are many factors, and they are known firsthand even to women who have never given birth, as well as men. There is nothing strange about this. The back and lower back of pregnant women ache for the same reasons as all other people: a sedentary lifestyle, careless lifting of weights... However, sometimes such pain has a truly terrible motive.

Thus, in first place in terms of danger for the expectant mother are diseases of the urogenital system, which includes the reproductive and urinary systems. A woman experiences severe lower back pain during pregnancy and at the same time there is discomfort in the area of ​​the kidneys or bladder. Moreover, these symptoms become aggravated when pregnancy occurs, and are accompanied by high body temperature, swelling, headache, increased blood pressure, and frequent urination of an unnatural color.

Doctors often diagnose pregnant patients with inflammatory kidney disease, characterized by damage to the kidney parenchyma, calyces and renal pelvis.

Or another thing - renal colic. When hard stone-like formations appear in the urinary organs, the woman clearly feels like:

  1. Back pain occurs sharply and with increasing intensity;
  2. Pain in the lower back during pregnancy.

Fortunately, most often the root cause of pregnancy aggravated by pain lies in physiological changes: the body adjusts to the intrauterine development of the unborn baby.

Other common factors:

  • a pregnant woman walks for a long time and is engaged in excessive activity;
  • she endlessly sits in an uncomfortable position;
  • her uterus is tense (false contractions some time before birth);
  • her shoes were chosen incorrectly;
  • she caught a cold in her lower back.

Causes of pain at different stages of pregnancy

The specific trimester determines the nature of lower back pain during pregnancy. The back may bother you as early as 5-12 weeks. This occurs due to the fact that the body is being rebuilt; the endocrine glands begin to secrete biologically active substances (hormones) in a different ratio. There is also spraining of ligaments and displacement of joints, because they will be loaded, as they say, “to the fullest.” The beginning of pregnancy, with rare exceptions, is accompanied by pain in the lumbar region in all expectant mothers.

Cutting sharp pain in the lower back during pregnancy in the thirteenth and subsequent weeks also often torments women: this is associated with the growth of the fetus. As a result of a shift in the center of gravity, the back arches more, and the maximum load is transferred to the lower back. Relaxin is released into the blood from the ovaries, weakening the fibrous plates that connect the pelvic bones.

At 21-40 weeks, virtually any expectant mother is subject to debilitating pain in the lumbar spine. Localization - pelvic area.

During this period, doctors diagnose a lack of potassium in the female body, which explains severe pain. In addition, closer to the fortieth week, the child lowers his head, which provokes compression of the nerve endings and, as a result, “lumbar malaise.”

The final weeks of pregnancy are accompanied by pain in the back and lower abdomen, as preparations for childbirth are underway.

How to cope with lower back pain during pregnancy

In order to eliminate lower back pain during late pregnancy, a prenatal bandage is worn - a medical elastic belt without solid elements to support the abdominal and pelvic organs.

The advantages of such bandages:

  • the lower back is less loaded;
  • pain syndrome is relieved;
  • abdominal muscles are strengthened;
  • the back is fixed in the desired (correct) position.

But what to do with cramping pain in the lower back during pregnancy when the elastic belt does not work? First, you need to rule out urolithiasis. Secondly, confirm that contractions are training contractions. Both are the duties of doctors, so it is recommended to seek medical help. Before the ambulance arrives or a visit to the gynecologist’s office, you must take a comfortable position and follow the breathing technique during contractions.

Having determined the symptoms and underlying diseases, the doctor will send the patient for urine tests. You may have to be examined with a computer or magnetic resonance imaging scanner, or undergo sonography.

Treatment of lower back pain during pregnancy

If the lower back hurts slightly, then this is normal and there is no need to use anti-inflammatory painkillers. In other cases, you need to consult a specialist.

Moreover, before prescribing appropriate (individual) treatment, the cause of the disease must be clarified.

What is the pain syndrome associated with and methods of its treatment (see table below)

Cause: How to treat:
Inflammation in the kidneys or urogenital system Provide therapeutic effects on the main cause of pain
Developmental anomaly of the spinal column Lie more, move less. Apply warming ointments and place heating pads
Involuntary contraction of one or a group of muscles Provide mechanical and reflex effects on the back by rubbing, vibration, and pressure on the location of spasms. Do not take medications
Potassium deficiency Eat greens, vegetables and fruits, which contain a lot of potassium. As prescribed by a physician - special supplements
Calcium deficiency Eat calcium-containing foods, walk outside more often on sunny days, and take magnesium and vitamin D to help calcium be better absorbed


Regardless of the intensity of the pain, a pregnant woman is obliged for the sake of herself and her unborn baby to consult a doctor and not self-medicate.

Prevention of back pain in pregnant women

So that, while pregnant, a woman does not experience unbearable torment associated with back and lower back pain, she should adhere to certain recommendations.

These include:

  1. Strengthen the back muscles and lead a healthy lifestyle (meaning playing popular sports, physical education) before the moment of pregnancy, which essentially means keeping a tight rein on yourself from adolescence and early youth;
  2. Allow yourself a little physical activity already during the period of bearing your unborn child. Good in this regard are therapeutic exercises, including Indian exercises, exercises on a large elastic ball for gymnastics, aerobic exercises to rhythmic music in the pool. And it is advisable to do all this under the direct supervision of specialists;
  3. Eat a balanced diet rich in vitamins and microelements, especially Ca and Mg;
  4. Wear comfortable shoes with low heels (up to five centimeters), which ensure stability. A flat sole is no less harmful to the feet than a high heel;
  5. Change your body position more often while sitting on a chair, in an armchair, or better yet, walk longer in the fresh air;
  6. Do not cross your legs while sitting;
  7. Sleep on an orthopedic mattress and pillow that adapts to a person’s figure and provides maximum comfort when resting;
  8. Avoid heavy accessories worn on the shoulder, or alternate shoulders;
  9. Monitor your body weight.

Waiting for the birth of a child is the happiest moment in life for every mother. But sometimes these joyful moments are overshadowed by rather unpleasant sensations, such as back pain in pregnant women.

From approximately the second half of pregnancy, when the baby in the womb begins to gain weight and actively grow, the female spine receives a colossal additional load. A pregnant woman's center of gravity begins to shift forward, which is the reason why her back hurts during pregnancy. At first, pain occurs occasionally, then more or less regularly with certain periods of calm. If you don't learn how to relieve your spine, back pain can develop into a constant problem that will drive you crazy.

Women who, despite their delicate position, continue to wear back pain during pregnancy are much more likely than those who prefer comfortable low-heeled shoes. Therefore, if you do not want to become a hostage to this problem, give up stiletto heels for a while and treat your feet with comfortable sneakers, boots or shoes with small, neat heels. This will allow you to significantly reduce the load on your spine and protect yourself from back pain.

Some women begin to complain that their back hurts during pregnancy already in the early stages. This is explained by the increased concentration of specific hormones in the blood, which relax the muscles of the uterus for a more comfortable stay of the embryo in it. But their relaxing effect extends not only to the uterus, but also to other muscles, including the limbs. In some cases, the action of these hormones can even lead to inflammation of muscle tissue, which is why back pain occurs already in the first trimester of pregnancy.

During pregnancy?

If you have back pain during pregnancy, then you can perform a number of simple exercises to reduce this pain, or even learn to get rid of it altogether. The simplest exercise is to lie on a hard surface with your knees bent and lie in this position until the pain weakens and goes away completely.

Try to reduce physical activity as much as possible, reduce walking, and do not load bags while visiting stores, because as soon as you walk or stand longer, your back immediately begins to make itself felt. Her muscles get tired from such stress, and as a result, her back hurts during pregnancy. You can shift some of your household responsibilities to your loved ones - this will help reduce the amount of physical activity.

Stress on the back in the last months of pregnancy occurs even during sleep. Many women begin to experience discomfort when they try to lie on their back. This is explained by the fact that as the uterine wall increases in size, it compresses the blood vessels on the back. As a result, blood flow is disrupted and pain immediately occurs. In such cases, it is necessary to choose a more comfortable sleeping position. You can lie on your side with a pillow between your knees.

When your back hurts during pregnancy, you can start visiting. Being in the water will help all muscles and organs relax. This will help you get rid of obsessive pain in the lumbar region.

However, if back pain becomes systematic, and no relaxation techniques help to drown it out, then you need to consult a doctor for help, because such pain should not seem normal to you. The minutes of waiting for your baby to appear should be remembered as the happiest, and should not become burdensome and painful.

Surprisingly, one of the first signs of pregnancy is lower back pain. Painful sensations may be present throughout the entire period of bearing the baby, or may disappear in the second trimester, and these are not always signs of illness.

If you feel that your lower back hurts at the beginning of pregnancy, this is a completely normal phenomenon, and the cause of the pain is a restructuring of the body associated with changes in the woman’s hormonal levels. However, pain also signals serious pathological conditions due to a malfunction of the immune system and, as a result, pregnant women are less protected from various infectious diseases.

Physiological reasons

At the beginning of the first trimester of pregnancy, many women begin to experience back pain. The reason for this phenomenon can be called a global restructuring of the body, which is necessary for bearing a baby.

Lumbar nagging pain appears after the tenth week. At this time, the uterus, increasing in size, rises into the peritoneum. The ligaments that support it are stretched and somewhat transformed, which leads to discomfort in the lumbar region. The ligaments and discs that support the spine become loose and soft. The amount of the hormone progesterone increases. The center of gravity of the abdomen shifts, which also leads to pain. All of the above symptoms go away starting from the twentieth week.

Pain in the early stages

  1. Lower back pain in the first week of pregnancy is a physiological change in the female body. The hips and sacrum are in a relaxed state due to the effect of the hormone relaxin, which is produced in increased quantities during pregnancy. The ligaments of the pubis are softened and provoke pain, which is natural and should not bother the woman. If there is slight discomfort, there is no cause for alarm.
  2. Increased production of female hormones provokes an increase in the mobility of joints and intervertebral cartilage, which gives rise to the formation of pain.
  3. Increased load in the lumbar region also leads to pain. In the first trimester, due to the growth of the abdomen, the center of gravity shifts, and the woman, trying to maintain balance, spreads her shoulders further and stretches her neck forward, which leads to pain in the lower back.
  4. If there are problems with the musculoskeletal system before pregnancy, a woman may develop complications or exacerbations and, as a result, pain in the lower back.

If pain bothers you for a long time and in cases where it interferes with a woman’s usual lifestyle, it is recommended to consult a doctor who will prescribe physical therapy.

Causes of pain

Unfortunately, pain in women when the lower back is pulled in early pregnancy can also be symptoms of serious pathological processes. During the period of restructuring of the body, the immune system malfunctions, and therefore immunity decreases. This temporary phenomenon is necessary so that the female body does not reject the fetus.

  1. Incorrect posture of a woman leads to lumbar lordosis. Due to the swelling of the ligamentous apparatus, the ligaments and joints of the pelvis are stretched, and pain appears in the lumbar region.
  2. Tumors in the lumbar and lower back contribute to the spread of pain.
  3. An inflammatory process in the lumbar muscles, or myositis, associated with hypothermia of the body.
  4. Exacerbation of chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system and other diseases that were diagnosed before pregnancy.

Lower back pain at 6 weeks of pregnancy, what to do?

Initially, you should consult a doctor so that he can determine the cause of the pain.

If there is an exacerbation of osteochondrosis or inflammation of the bone endings, the following measures are indicated:

  • use a special bandage or corset for pregnant women as prescribed by the attending physician;
  • taking vitamin and mineral complexes;
  • if your physical condition allows, then daily physical exercise is recommended (if there is a threat of miscarriage, all exercise is contraindicated);
  • static loads are contraindicated;
  • food with sufficient vitamin D and calcium (large amounts of the latter are found in fermented milk and fish products, nuts);
  • give preference to orthopedic furniture;
  • change body position as often as possible;
  • eliminate heavy lifting;
  • plan the day so that there is enough time for rest and recovery;
  • strengthen your back muscles with water treatments (swimming in the pool).

Following these instructions will also be a good way to prevent pain in the lumbar region.

Osteochondrosis in the early stages

When this disease worsens, the lower back hurts in early pregnancy, as the intervertebral disc undergoes degenerative changes and protrudes. As a result, radicular syndrome appears, which causes pain in the area of ​​root compression, failure to conduct impulses from the tendons along the reflex arcs, and atrophic changes in the muscles.

In this case, drug treatment should be prescribed by a doctor, since treatment with drugs that were taken before pregnancy is strictly prohibited.

Symphysitis pain

The symptoms of this disease are as follows: in early pregnancy, a woman experiences lower back pain like spasms, coordination of movements is impaired, and the muscles in the womb are severely stretched. If treatment is not started in time, internal bleeding may develop. In such cases, the woman is hospitalized for planned treatment.

Pain caused by inflammation

In addition to pain in the lower back, swelling, fever, severe headaches or migraines, cloudy urine, symptoms of pathological processes in the urinary or renal system, or gall bladder appear. One of the common problems that pregnant women face is inflammation in the kidneys. During pregnancy, does your lower back hurt on the right side or on both sides at the same time? In such situations, specialist consultation and inpatient treatment are necessary.

Development of pyelonephritis

There are several versions of the occurrence of pyelonephritis in a pregnant woman. This disease poses a risk of infection of the fetus; in addition, the disease can provoke toxicosis in the later stages of pregnancy, edema and early delivery, which poses a threat to the woman’s life.

There is a malfunction in the mechanism of action of hormones, and they affect the ureters so that urine from them again enters the renal pelvis. Urine stagnates, an infectious process develops, leading to pyelonephritis. The ureters are under pressure from the enlarged uterus or enlarged uterine veins.

The presence of pathogenic microorganisms in the body of a pregnant woman penetrates the urinary system through the bloodstream. During the development of the disease, a woman experiences severe lower back pain in early pregnancy.

Source of pain: infection

The infectious process can be in the tonsils, on the dermis, in teeth susceptible to caries or in internal organs. Also, the cause of disruption of the normal functioning of the kidneys can be neoplasms that may not appear for a long time.

Pain syndrome occurs when the kidney capsule becomes tense as a result of strong pressure from the tumor. The signs of this process are:

  • the presence of red blood cells, pus and mucus in urine;
  • a blood test reveals an increased content of leukocytes, a high ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate);
  • general malaise, weakness, increased sweating.

To summarize, a weak, nagging pain in the lumbar region at the very beginning of a woman’s interesting position is considered natural. In all other cases, this is a signal to seek medical help.

Threat of premature birth, miscarriage

The lower back and lower abdomen hurt unbearably in early pregnancy, and there is brownish discharge. The pain resembles contractions - this indicates symptoms of a miscarriage. Urgent hospitalization is indicated.

Having suffered an acute respiratory viral infection, trauma or stressful situation leads to the threat of miscarriage or premature birth. In these situations, a woman complains of vaginal discharge, pain in the abdomen and lower back.

The doctor diagnoses the threat of miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy. Lower back pain as a result of uterine contractions. During contractions, it stretches the ligaments, leaning forward, and the fetus, falling lower, creates pressure on the nerve endings of the sacral region - this is the cause of pain.

Ways to relieve pain

In general, lumbar pain is not a symptom of the disease and does not pose a danger to the unborn child and mother. If you have lower back pain in early pregnancy, this is physiological pain. You can reduce or remove it in the following ways:

  • Complete and balanced nutrition. Products should be high in calcium. In some cases, women are additionally prescribed medications or dietary supplements containing a high dose of calcium.
  • Moderate physical activity: walking for at least one hour, gymnastics in the morning, swimming in ponds or a pool, water aerobics in groups for pregnant women. Such loads will not only relieve pain, but will also subsequently facilitate the birth of the baby and help quickly restore your figure after the delivery process. Training should begin from the very first days of a woman’s interesting position.
  • Yoga classes combined with physical exercise will bring great benefits. Exercises that stretch the spine are especially indicated.
  • Particular attention should be paid to correct posture to avoid curvature of the spine. You should walk and sit with your back straight. Incorrect body position also causes pain.
  • A massage will undoubtedly relieve tension and relax your muscles.
  • Avoid stress and overexertion.
  • Rest and sleep. It is advisable to purchase an orthopedic mattress so that the load on the spine of a pregnant woman is distributed evenly, and the sleep is sound and long-lasting (at least 7-8 hours). During the day, you should also give rest to your back muscles and sacrum - lie for about thirty minutes in a relaxed state on a hard surface.

Pyelonephritis: lower back pain during pregnancy, what to do?

The disease during this period is accompanied, in addition to pain in the lower back, by high fever and inflammation, which is confirmed by the results of laboratory tests. The doctor prescribes antibacterial therapy, which suppresses the infection and has minimal effect on the fetus.

If there is no edema, then it is recommended to increase the amount of fluid taken, but under the control of diuresis. During this period, you should not take diuretic medications or caffeinated drinks. It is recommended to take a decoction of oats and fruit juice made from cranberries, which has an antibacterial effect and increases diuresis.

The doctor prescribes outpatient treatment (at home) or, if necessary, hospitalizes the patient in the urology department of the hospital.

Alternative medicine

The use of non-classical medicine methods (acupuncture, osteopathy, reflexology, homeopathy) is acceptable, but there are contraindications. To avoid negative consequences, consult your doctor.

Herbalists suggest pain relief with a honey compress. Honey is preheated, and then applied to the lower back in a thin layer, on which polyethylene is placed, and the lower back is wrapped in a warm cloth. This procedure can only be performed if there are no allergic reactions to bee products.

So, after reading the article, you have become familiar with the reasons why the lower back hurts in the early stages of an expectant mother. Pregnancy causes the spine to experience unusual loads, stretch the ligaments of the lumbar and pelvic region, change the center of gravity and, as a result, the muscles become overstrained and pain occurs in the lumbar region.

More serious causes of pain are much less common. In order to exclude them, do not forget to visit your doctor throughout your pregnancy.

The myth that pregnancy is a carefree and happy period of life was invented by those rare women who experienced it in good health, without nausea, pain in all parts of the body alternately or all at once, and constant fatigue. There are few such lucky ones.

For most, pregnancy, especially in the later stages, is marred by a variety of unpleasant sensations. Among the most common are back and lower back pain. It may be caused by a general load on the spine, or it may be the result of a serious problem, the fight against which must begin as early as possible.

Three quarters of women in late pregnancy, in the third trimester, experience pain in the back and lower back. It is almost impossible to avoid their occurrence; such pain is considered a conditional norm, so let’s first consider this case.

The nature of the pain can be different, most often pain and discomfort in the back occurs after physical activity. But the pain can be constant, intensify towards the end of the term, or vice versa - decrease.

In most cases the cause of pain is one of the natural processes pregnancy-related:

  • action of hormones. During pregnancy, the body prepares for childbirth and the hormone relaxin begins to be produced in large quantities. Under its action, the pelvis expands, but as a side effect, all other ligaments in the body soften, including those supporting the spine. Tension in the back increases, and the body signals to tighten the muscles around the spine to redistribute the load. This constant tension gives pain;
  • the more the belly grows, the more the center of gravity shifts, this causes changes in posture and increases the load on the spine, which it cannot cope with;
  • body weight increases significantly during pregnancy, creating a stressful load on the musculoskeletal system;
  • insufficient development of the back muscles, which is a consequence of a sedentary lifestyle before pregnancy, leads to the fact that they are not able to withstand loads increased many times;
  • Another factor provoking the occurrence of pain can be psychological stress; it primarily manifests itself where the tension of the body’s forces is greatest. And the back is the “weak link”, especially in the later stages;
  • in the early stages of pregnancy, pain may be a natural sign that the fertilized egg is implanting into the wall of the uterus;
  • just before childbirth, tension in the uterus and prenatal processes often lead to pain.

In addition to these reasons, there are less favorable ones, but also often causing pain. During pregnancy, the body significantly reduces immunity so as not to reject a foreign body - the child, reducing the conflict between protective mechanisms and the function of nutrition and protection of the fetus.

Against the background of reduced immunity, the following may worsen:

  • spinal diseases that were undiagnosed or undertreated before pregnancy are 100% likely to make themselves felt during this difficult period;
  • muscle inflammation caused by hypothermia;
  • the pancreas often suffers from an incorrect, too fatty diet;
  • The kidneys are another possible source of problems; pyelonephritis is often diagnosed during pregnancy. A sign of this dangerous disease is primarily pain, it occurs on one side in the lumbar region or just below, accompanied by an increase in general temperature and a general deterioration in well-being. If left untreated, the development of pyelonephritis can cause kidney failure and pose a threat to the life of the mother and baby.

When to see a doctor

You can determine whether the pain is caused by relatively harmless processes occurring in the body, and whether it is worth making an appointment with a doctor. on several grounds:

  • nature of pain. Sharp and severe pain indicates the occurrence of an infectious or other acute process in the body;
  • the pain appeared suddenly and intensified greatly over several hours;
  • the pain is spasmodic in nature - this may be the first signal of the onset of premature labor.

All of the above signs are a clear indication for an emergency visit to the hospital. Although even if the pain does not cause much concern, it is better to play it safe; the stake in this case is your health and the health of the child.

The first step should always be a consultation with a doctor; a non-specialist will not be able to distinguish “natural” pain from a sign of a dangerous disease.

But more often, pain simply indicates that the body needs a little support. Physical activity is one of the easiest ways to combat pain; in moderation, it is the key to a smooth pregnancy. But any exercise should be agreed with your doctor.

  • One of the best options is water aerobics, it is suitable for any level of training. Water allows you to relieve muscle tension around the spine and give the muscles the desired load. Classes are held in small groups and will be a great way to relax and chat with friends in an interesting position.
  • Another popular option is Exercises with a gymnastic ball, there are options for classes for pregnant women. They are very useful for back problems and simply as a general tonic.
  • An option for lovers of meditative exercises - yoga, there are several complexes for pregnant women. It is worth noting that classes should be conducted by a professional, otherwise there is a risk of harm to health instead of benefit.

If you like the atmosphere of fitness, you can sign up for aerobics or gymnastics for pregnant women at any nearby gym. The main criterion should be the walking distance of the gym and the presence of a professional trainer.

To relieve pain, you can perform several simple exercises:

  • Lie on your back with your feet on a chair. This position relieves tension from the back, allowing the muscles to rest; try to relax and breathe with your stomach;
  • From a lying position, stretch your palm clenched into a fist towards the opposite leg, at the same time stretch your foot towards your hand, then take a break, relax, repeat with the other leg and arm;
  • The familiar bicycle from a lying position also relieves tension and pain, do about 10-15 circles;
  • Do 5-10 repetitions of a slightly simplified cat exercise, doing it without tension. Get on all fours, while inhaling, arch your back and lower your head, while exhaling, relax, return to the starting position;
  • Sit on the floor, bend one leg and bring it behind the other, turn your shoulders in the opposite direction, focusing on your outstretched arm, place the other on the knee of your bent leg. Exhale and try to relax in this position. Reverse the position.

Worth it if possible change the mattress to an orthopedic one or just a harder one, it is useful to get an orthopedic hard pillow; you can easily find special pillows for pregnant women on the market. Adequate rest plays a very important role in health during pregnancy, so finding a comfortable sleeping position (a pillow under the knees and another under the stomach helps many) is something that you should definitely spend some time on.

It is also necessary limit heavy lifting, if you need to lift something, it is better not to bend over, but to get down on one knee. Watch your posture, trying to maintain the correct position of your back. Amateur massage also relieves pain; even a slight kneading of the muscles relieves tension and reduces pain.

Do not neglect wearing a bandage for pregnant women, it will help to properly distribute the load in the back area.

Many painkillers are not applicable during pregnancy, folk remedies also have contraindications, so you should consult your doctor before using any medications. To treat pain the following are prescribed:

  • Painkillers that are not contraindicated during pregnancy (Paracetamol, Analgin - in small doses, Nurofen, No-shpa and others).
  • Ointments for back pain. They should be used with caution; during pregnancy, drugs containing poisons and other substances dangerous to the child are contraindicated. Nurofen-gel and similar drugs are often used to treat pain.
  • Professional massage is a good and safe way to relieve pain.
  • Hot and cold compresses and baths promote blood flow to “problem” areas of the spine and reduce pain.

The most important rule is that you should not endure pain. Even if all my friends and acquaintances who gave birth unanimously say that this is normal. A pain signal is an alarm signal, a sign that the body is not fully coping with the increased load.

Even if the pain is not caused by a serious illness and treatment is not required, the doctor will prescribe measures to maintain the health of the spine, which will help make this bright period in life truly enjoyable.

Surely every woman who has been pregnant at least once has experienced back pain, especially in the last stages of pregnancy. In general, bearing a child is a very complex process: a woman’s body and all organs are rebuilt and bear a double load. The digestive, circulatory, respiratory and excretory systems - all of them must now work not only for the woman, but also for her child. This also affected the musculoskeletal functions of the spine.

Thus, back pain during pregnancy is not an extraordinary, but a completely natural phenomenon. Let's figure out why this happens and what to do if the pain is severe, and a pregnant woman cannot buy traditional painkillers.

Causes of back pain during pregnancy

From the very first days, a pregnant woman’s body begins to undergo changes that in one way or another prepare her for the future joyful event. During pregnancy, throughout its entire period, nature continuously introduces the following corrections, especially regarding hormones:
  • Thus, the hormone relaxin produced relaxes the ligaments of the sacral and even coccygeal joints. This ensures their mobility, which is so necessary during childbirth.
  • But the stability of the sacral region decreases, and the woman has to strain her back and abdominal muscles to compensate.
  • During pregnancy, a woman's estrogen is reduced almost throughout the entire period, and progesterone is increased - this provides optimal conditions for gestation. The opposite ratio (low progesterone and high estrogen) can cause uterine bleeding and miscarriage)
  • Before childbirth, progesterone levels drop sharply and estrogen rises
The elasticity and tone of the uterus, as well as its ability to contract, depend on estrogen. Progesterone ensures the formation of the placenta and the growth of the uterus throughout pregnancy. Every week the woman gains new kilograms, her stomach becomes rounded and protrudes more and more forward. Starting from about the 14th week, such signs are visible from the outside, and it is already difficult to hide pregnancy. The gait and posture of the expectant mother also changes: if you notice, they all walk with their heads held high and their shoulders turned back. This type of gait is popularly called “proud.” In fact, despite the fact that every woman is internally and instinctively, as inherent in nature, proud of her position, the reason for such posture is very prosaic: The center of gravity of a pregnant woman shifts forward, the angle of the pelvis increases, which is why lumbar lordosis increases, and in order to maintain balance, the spine in the thoracic region moves back along with the shoulders and head
Of course, it is not easy to walk in this position all the time - your back inevitably begins to hurt, especially in the thoracic and lumbar regions. Thus, the main causes of back pain during pregnancy are physiological and are directly related to the position itself, that is, they are typical for any woman during pregnancy. This:
  • Changing the natural curves of the spine and shifting its center of gravity
  • Increased elasticity of ligaments and mobility of sacral joints
  • Reducing the amount of estrogen - the main hormone that is involved in building normal bone structure
Lack of estrogen causes bone fragility and leads to osteoporosis. Therefore, important advice that I would like to give to expectant mothers is:
  • The first thing to do during pregnancy is to ensure normal daily calcium intake, preferably with vitamin D, as one of the most important in the body
  • Also, at the same time, you must take folic acid, which is very important for the development of the fetus.
  • Lack of folic acid may cause congenital spina bifida in your baby.

Gymnastics during pregnancy

During pregnancy, it is also necessary to do daily exercises for expectant mothers. Don't be afraid that this may negatively affect your baby or you:
  • Your baby will only benefit from your active activities, as they will improve his blood circulation, nutrition and even mood
  • Gymnastics will be beneficial for your back, as it will relieve spasm from the muscles that cause back pain, as well as strengthen the muscular-connective system
Additional causes of pain during pregnancy There are also individual causes of pain for each woman:
  • The presence of dystrophic degenerative processes in the spine even before pregnancy
  • Uncomfortable shoes, such as heels that are too high
  • Other diseases or pathologies
  • The uterus is toned
  • Uterine prolapse<

Lumbosacral hernia

If a woman has a lumbosacral hernia, then she needs to double the control over her disease, especially in the second half of pregnancy:
  • Be sure to visit an orthopedist
  • Do stretching exercises
  • Wear a supportive corset
Wearing corsets is also recommended for all women who have back pain, starting from the 34th week of pregnancy.

Difficulties of recent months

The last two months before the birth of a baby are difficult for a woman:

    The weight of the fetus is already quite decent, and it is putting more and more pressure on her spine. Back pain can become radicular and radiate to the leg, especially when walking

  • The uterus begins to descend and put pressure on other pelvic organs, causing the woman to experience symptoms of cystitis
  • The load on the kidneys in the third trimester also increases due to the increased volume of fluid circulating through the blood purification system and the increase in waste products of the fetus.
This can lead to pyelonephritis or even symptoms of kidney failure if the woman already had kidney problems before pregnancy. Kidney problems can become an additional source of back pain in a pregnant woman.

Increased uterine tone

A common problem during pregnancy is increased uterine tone. In general, this phenomenon is dangerous in the early stages when there is a threat of miscarriage. In the future, this does not pose any danger to the woman, except for unpleasant sensations. What are the reasons for increased uterine tone? Both simple and scientifically based:
  • Your baby just lightly kicked you, checking that you didn’t fall asleep, didn’t forget about him, and are ready for his quick birth.
  • Stress and bad mood tone not only the “fibers of the soul”, but also the uterus
Therefore, during pregnancy you should always try to remain calm and be in a good mood, especially since this is so important for the healthy nervous system of the unborn child.
  • Tension in the muscles of the back and abdomen is transmitted to the muscles of the uterus
  • In the later stages, false contractions occur (Braxton Hicks syndrome)
In this way, a “dress rehearsal” for future births is carried out.

What medications to use for back pain during pregnancy

Pregnant women often face another problem: they, poor people, cannot use many medications. So, we all know non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; we take them for back pain; they are unacceptable for a pregnant woman. Why? Because they have a lot of contraindications that are dangerous for ordinary people, and even more so for older people.

What if a woman gets sick during pregnancy or the back pain is unbearable?

  • For treatment, you can use herbal decoctions and bee products.
  • Medicines no-spa are an antispasmodic that can also be used in pregnancy.
  • You can use homeopathic medicines, which are also absolutely harmless

The drug Nux Vomica (nux v-mica)

The drug Nux Vomica (nux v-mica) is used:

  • For severe back pain, exacerbations of osteochondrosis and hernia, injuries
  • Neuralgic problems
  • For bowel disorders, such as constipation
  • The drug Sepia:
  • For lumbago in the back
  • For back pain that gets worse when bending over
  • For aching, dull pain in the back and between the shoulder blades
  • During depression and emotional distress
If you do everything correctly and follow these simple recommendations, the pregnancy will be easy, and the child will be born healthy and cheerful.

Back pain during pregnancy video

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