When expecting a baby, it is especially important for the woman to feel good and be healthy. Yet, it is clear that during this period the body is changing, with the changes taking place in the entire body, and different health problems may accompany them. One of them is back pain.

When expecting a baby, it is especially important for the woman to feel good and be healthy. Yet, it is clear that during this period the body is changing, with the changes taking place in the entire body, and different health problems may accompany them. One of them is back pain.

The spinal column is the main support of the human body, comprised of the vertebrae, the sacrum, the coccyx, and the intervertebral discs. When a person is growing up, bends form within it. During pregnancy, when the mother’s body is subject to physiological, hormonal, and other changes, it is no surprise that the back starts aching. 

Causes of back pain during pregnancy:

• as a result of hormonal change
• when the baby is growing, the centre of gravity shifts,
• wrong distribution of loads,
• injury,
• other diseases aggravate. 

Hormonal changes – during pregnancy, a real hormone storm takes place, and this influences the spinal column of the expectant mother, because under the influence of the hormones the ligaments become more flexible, and the joints more unstable, and back pain may occur as a result.

Physiological changes – when the expected baby is growing, the centre of gravity of the woman shifts. When walking, the load on the lumbar region increases. And during the last months, the expanding uterus may cause pressure on the nerves, creating additional pain in the spine, accordingly.

Wrong distribution of loads – it originates from not paying enough attention to posture during the growth of the pregnant woman’s belly. If the belly protrudes to the front too much, the spinal column bends, and this may cause heavier back pain. A sedentary job, if the workplace is not convenient and the chair does not have a stable support for the back, may be a reason for back pain. An insufficient movement regimen, as well.

Injury – under the influence of physiological, hormonal, and other factors during the pregnancy, the woman may become less attentive and obtain injuries on the street, at home and at work. For example, as a result of falling, health problems may arise both for the expected baby and the future mother. And it is possible to get a spinal column injury in this way as well, which is already experiencing additional pressure during pregnancy.

Exacerbation of other diseases – pregnancy is a time when other health problems may exacerbate, which have not been prominent before. These may be problems of other internal organs, for example kidneys, and other problems as well, but at the same time, previously unexperienced back pain may suddenly send signals, originating from a long-forgotten injury, and it can also be a small and unnoticed intervertebral hernia or something else. 

Let’s Help our Spinal Column During Pregnancy

For the back pain not to cause additional problems during the child expectancy period, already at the very beginning, when they are felt, the problem should be addressed seriously – it should not be left unattended.

Already at the beginning of pregnancy, it is important to discuss all the possible problems that may occur during pregnancy with the doctor, for the future mother to be aware of what to pay attention to. With preventive measures, there is a chance of avoiding different health complications, including back pain.

It is also important to pay attention to back pain because, if untreated, it may cause complications in future life, when the baby is already born and needs to be fed, carried in the hands, its clothes need to be changed and other actions, in which the spinal cord is definitely involved as the main support for the body. If not treated timely, when expecting the future baby, it may cause even greater discomfort both physically and emotionally. 

To alleviate additional stress on the spinal column during pregnancy, it is recommended to:

• use stabilising belts daily, which ease the back muscles and reduce the vibrations,
• avoid lifting weights,
• apply for swimming and special gymnastics classes for pregnant women, as well as perform light physical activities daily, strengthening the muscles and ligaments,
• stabilise the belly, supporting it with a pillow, when sleeping,
• place a pillow under the feet as well (this will help in the case of dilated veins and also as prevention),
• changing positions, when asleep, but doing it with very slow movements,
• choose comfortable footwear, refraining from high heels during pregnancy,
• keep the right posture, for the belly not to protrude too much to the front, in this way generating an even bigger bend of the spine.
• choose a comfortable chair for sitting, which supports the back, and move every now and then. 

Photo by Jessica Rockowitz on Unsplash