Backaches during pregnancy

Backaches are among the worst of aches. Although there is never a good time to have a backache - pregnancy is possibly the worst time to have an aching back. In addition to causing a lot of discomfort – a back ache when you are pregnant can be downright scary and weigh you down with anxiety and stress.

Any ache anywhere near the baby can bring on visions of something terrible happening to your baby and so it is important to understand why pregnancy causes you to have a backache – so that you are not needlessly worried.

As your baby grows inside you – it requires more and more space and your body tries to make as much space as possible within it to accommodate your growing baby. But there isn’t that much space inside your body after all.

There are bones that restrict the space inside and they are held together by tight ligaments to give the body shape and support. There is very little the body can do with the restricting bones. And so, during pregnancy - it uses the pregnancy hormones to soften the ligaments and make space by pushing the bones apart. This makes more room in the pelvis – through which the baby finds its way out when it is time for it to be born.

It is not easy to have a weighty baby inside you and cope with a loose pelvis at the same time and so you arch your back to compensate. This arching causes the backache.

• It may not be possible to eliminate backache altogether – but you can try to minimise it.
• Use a sturdy well supported chair with a straight back and arms. If possible use it with a foot rest
• Try not to sit for too long. Take a short stroll every half an hour
• Try not to stand too long either
• Wear well supported flat shoes
• Avoid lifting heavy weights but if you have to – place your feet wide apart and bend your knees to take the strain off your back
• Try some basic antenatal back exercises
• Try to reduce your stress and relax

Some amount of backache is expected and acceptable during pregnancy – but if you are in severe pain – make sure you consult a doctor. Also – as you near your due date – be wary of any new pain that you experience. Consult your doctor about new pains to be on the safe side.

Author Bio

Dr Debmita Dutta (MBBS, MD) is a Parenting and Wellness Consultant. She belives Parenting – is an Art that is deeply rooted in Science – Medical Science. It is impossible to Parent right without an understanding of how your child’s growing Brain and Body function – because his / her Brain and Body are what make him the person he is.