Pregnancy Back Pain

Pregnancy back pain is a common complaint among women with child. So common in fact that many women have accepted it as a normal part of pregnancy and do nothing to alleviate the pain.

Well, they're wrong. While there is always that feeling of discomfort when you are carrying a child in your uterus, pregnancy back pain is something that you can reduce, perhaps even prevent, with the use of certain techniques. Additionally, consider these pregnancy back pain techniques as early training when your back bears the strain of constantly lifting your 7 to 10 pound baby or your 20 pound toddler.

Causes

Pregnancy back pain affects 50 percent of women. The cause could be any of the following:

* Extra weight - You'll obviously be gaining weight during your pregnancy since you have two mouths to feed. But while the extra weight is good for your baby, it can be bad for your back.
* Change in weight bearing - Your spine is responsible for keeping your body upright. It supports your weight, making sure that majority of it is distributed in the center for better balance. When you are with child, the weight shifts to your uterus, thus disrupting normal weight bearing. This change could lead to back pains and various other aches.
* Hormonal change - During pregnancy, your body produces hormones that cause your pelvic bones and joints to soften, loosening the muscles around them in preparation for your baby's passage. This causes pliancy in your pelvic organs, leading to discomfort as you walk, especially up and down the stairs.

Techniques to Overcome Pregnancy Back Pain

There are a number of self-care strategies that will reduce pregnancy back pain. First is posture. You know already what the healthy posture is: back straight, shoulders level and parallel to the ground. Granted that it can't be helped if your posture is affected as your body weight is gradually transferred to your uterus, try to assume this healthy posture in early pregnancy.

As much as possible do not pull your shoulders too far back in an effort to offset the weight of your uterus. This will lead to pregnancy back pain. Instead, talk to your doctor about how to adjust your posture in order to accommodate your growing belly.

Another strategy to help you manage pregnancy back pain is sit with your feet slightly elevated. This will ease off the strain on your back by allowing you to relax your shoulders. Also, don't cross your legs and change positions often. Avoid standing for long periods of time.

When you sleep, sleep on your side. Bend both of your knees with a pillow between them and another one under your abdomen. Relief for pregnancy back pain can be achieved by placing a specially shaped total body pillow under your abdomen.