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There\u2019s no doubt that the experience of a longed-for pregnancy can be one of the most rewarding times of your life. But the transition from early pregnancy to new parenthood can be beset by problems. Some of these are relatively minor, though irritating, such as indigestion or heartburn, tiredness and the need for frequent trips to the loo. Some can even add to the fun, such as the quest for a new wardrobe or strange and unexpected food likes and dislikes. But one of the most commonly occurring minor problems is back pain in pregnancy<\/strong> and it is one which a great many mothers-to-be have experienced.<\/p>\n In this article we are focusing not on serious complications that could harm the long-term health of mother and\/or baby, but on the phenomenon of pregnancy-associated back pain which, while not life-threatening, can easily have something of a dampening effect on the whole experience. Let\u2019s take a closer look at the causes of back pain in pregnancy<\/strong>, how to guard against it, and what the best remedies are when it does occur.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There are several different factors that influence the tendency to feel back pain during pregnancy. Here are the most common causes:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n However, before you start to wonder whether back pain in pregnancy<\/strong> is inevitable, the good news is that there are measures you can take to avoid the problem altogether, or failing that, to mitigate its severity. Many of these are common-sense lifestyle tips:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In addition to these measures, keeping up a gentle exercise regime can help your muscles to stay strong, increase their flexibility and adapt to the new pressures weighing on them. Participating in prenatal yoga or aqua-natal classes, as long as these are under the supervision of a qualified instructor, can also help to maintain and strengthen your back muscles. Whichever exercise regime you choose, it\u2019s important to keep up the exercises that your body is used to, rather than taking up a completely new form of exertion. However, if your normal fitness regime includes strenuous activity, it\u2019s important to tone down the intensity and if in any doubt, talk to your doctor.<\/p>\n Other safe exercises for most pregnant women include walking, swimming and stationary cycling.<\/p>\n If you would like to get more in-depth information on the wider benefits of exercise during pregnancy for your general wellbeing and on its role in helping to avoid back pain, have a look at our blog article on exercise during pregnancy<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Preventative measures aside, if you do experience back pain in pregnancy,<\/strong> what can you do to relieve it? First and foremost, it\u2019s essential to talk to your doctor or midwife before taking any sort of medication, or if you have any concerns that the pain could be a sign of something wrong. If you suspect that your back pain is signalling a problem, contact your doctor or midwife. This applies particularly during the second or third trimester, when it could be a sign of early labour. Other circumstances in which you should seek help immediately include having a fever in addition to the pain, or bleeding, or if you have any numbness in your bottom or pubic area, or have pain in your side, under your ribs.<\/p>\n If there\u2019s nothing wrong as such and your back pain is quite severe, the doctor or midwife may be able to refer you to an obstetric physiotherapist, who can offer you advice and may suggest a personalised exercise programme.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Usually it is considered safe to take paracetamol during pregnancy as long as the instructions on the packet are followed, and unless you have been advised against this by your doctor or midwife. Other solutions which work well for some include hot or cold compresses, a massage and working on improving posture.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With the help of these tips and tricks, and with a focus on maintaining your overall good health with the right nutrition and exercise regime while pregnant, we hope that back pain does not impinge on what is a joyous time for you and your partner. If you have any concerns about fertility and how IVI, as the world\u2019s largest assisted reproduction group, may be able to help, do get in touch. You can check the facts and figures about who we are and our record of success on our website, or get in touch by using the IVI contact form<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nWhat are the causes of back pain in pregnancy?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Prevention: guarding against back pain in pregnancy<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Remedies for back pain in pregnancy<\/h2>\n
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