Pregnancy is a period during which a woman’s body undergoes profound transformations, both internal and external1. And of course, these changes bring about some consequences. Back pain is the greatest example of how the changes in the body caused by pregnancy can affect a woman’s health.
Causes of Pain During Pregnancy
The main cause of back pain during pregnancy is the growing belly, which brings a lot of extra weight to the woman’s body. The increasing size of the uterus usually puts a lot of strain on the nerves and spine, causing a woman’s posture to change and consequently leading to back pain.
It’s important to remember this doesn’t necessarily happen to all pregnant women, although it’s very common and all women are at risk for this issue2, especially in the last trimester of pregnancy. But since back pain in pregnancy is unavoidable, it’s important to know how to deal with it.
Types of Back Pain During Pregnancy
Many don’t realize, but there is more than just one kind of back pain that affects women during pregnancy. There are at least five main types of pain that may arise during this period, each caused by different problems and requiring different treatments. The main types are:
- Lower back (lumbar) pain
- Sacroiliac pain
- Sciatic pain
- Pelvic pain
- Nocturnal (nighttime) pain
Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is one of the most common pains in pregnant women and is caused by the excess weight the body carries through the spine, forcing it to compensate for the changes in posture. This pain is usually located in the lower back and often radiates to the legs and some of the muscles of the back.
Sacroiliac Pain
This type of pain is located between the end of the spine and the woman’s pelvis. It’s a delicate kind of pain that, in many cases, doesn’t subside even after childbirth, and may continue for some time. To prevent further complications from sacroiliac pain, it’s best to rest when you notice its signs.
Sciatic Pain
This is the well-known sciatic nerve pain, which ends up affecting a considerable number of pregnant women. The pain is caused by inflammation or pressure and can worsen if the woman exerts herself. This type of back pain can radiate down the entire back of the leg, causing a lot of discomfort. It’s also worth noting that sciatic nerve inflammation is due to its overuse with too much weight on the body, and has no direct relation to the position of the baby inside a woman’s body.
Pelvic Pain
This is the most common type of back pain in pregnancy and should be treated differently from the others. Treatment must be supervised by your doctor to prevent the condition from worsening and causing other problems. The pain is also felt in the lower back, starting from the pelvic region, but if not well treated, can extend all the way to the pubic bone.
Nocturnal Pain
Some pregnant women feel pain only at bedtime, caused by muscle fatigue that accumulates from all the strain on the back throughout the day. While not the most frequent pain during pregnancy, nighttime pain can significantly affect some women’s lives, but this type of pain is usually easy and effective to treat.
How to Prevent Back Pain During Pregnancy?
Of course, back pain during pregnancy can result from various reasons, but this doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to prevent it. Doing daily stretches helps prepare the body and spine for the extra weight gained during pregnancy.
Practicing yoga or Pilates also helps prevent back pain during pregnancy. Practicing these exercises isn’t a guarantee you won’t feel pain, but they’ll surely make it more manageable and help you cope with it better3.
How to Relieve Back Pain During Pregnancy?
Since the onset of pain is almost inevitable, it’s good to know that there are things you can do to manage the situation. Some of the main exercises you can do to relieve the pain are:
- Trunk stretching
- Posture training
- Pelvic tilts
- Walking
- Strength training adapted for pregnant women
- Spinal stretching
Each of these exercises serves a different function, but they all help combat the troublesome back pain that affects women during pregnancy. Strength training adapted for pregnant women, for example, is a great option to strengthen muscles and help reduce pain.
Walking helps with posture and weight control, which helps the body adapt more easily to changes. Some exercises may work better than others depending on the individual, so it’s good to try them all to see which types best suit your situation.
Taking care of your body during pregnancy is more than necessary to maintain your health and, consequently, your baby’s. It’s important that all kinds of discomfort in the back are treated so that the woman doesn’t get worse or end up in a condition where the baby could be put at risk.
Even though this type of pain is common during pregnancy, many women ignore it or think it’s a passing issue, but as we mentioned earlier, untreated pain can persist after childbirth.
So, to ensure that pregnancy and childbirth are more enjoyable and free of severe back pain, it’s recommended to do preventive exercises and follow the necessary treatments for these pains.
See Also: Toothache During Pregnancy: What to Do? How to Relieve?
Photos: Federal Senate
