Lower back pain is a common pregnancy symptom, particularly during the second and third trimesters. There are a number of reasons why many women experience back pain during pregnancy, including the following.
- Weight gain:
Most women gain between 25 and 35 pounds during pregnancy. The lower back may be in pain because the spine is supporting all of this weight. The weight of the growing baby and uterus can also add pressure to the pelvic and back blood vessels and nerves. - Posture changes
Pregnancy shifts your center of gravity, which may make you adjust your posture and movements without even realizing it, resulting in back pain. - Hormone fluctuation:
During pregnancy, the body produces a hormone called relaxin that enables the pelvic area ligaments to relax and the joints to loosen in preparation for giving birth. It may also loosen the spine ligaments, which can be painful. - Muscle separation:
As the uterus gets bigger, the muscles that run from the pubic bone to the rib cage may separate in the center, which can contribute to back pain.
Unless you were prone to chronic back pain before you got pregnant, there's a good chance that your back pain will go away after you give birth. During the second half of your pregnancy, one or more of the following tactics may relieve your back pain.
- Exercise:
Exercise strengthens muscles and promotes flexibility, which can relieve spinal stress. Ideal exercises for pregnant women include walking, swimming, and stationary biking. - Improve posture:
Make sure to practice proper posture while sitting, working, and sleeping. - Heat and cold application:
Start by placing cold compresses on the sore region for 20 minutes, three times per day. After two or three days, switch to heat. Avoid putting heat on your abdomen while you're pregnant.
