Common causes of back pain during pregnancy

Always seek medical attention if your back pain persists (Photo: Courtesy) 

Pregnancy like any other journey comes with its fair share of bumps.

While some women have a fairly smooth pregnancy, many experience nausea, mood swings, back pain and a cocktail of so many other things you would have to go through yourself to understand.

Talking of back pain, if you already have a history of back problems or an underlying medical condition you will likely suffer a series of these during your pregnancy.

In most cases, these pains are never severe, just a muscle strain here and there but if it does persist or get severe seek medical attention.

That being said, if you are wondering what else can cause back pain during pregnancy here are some other reasons:

• The weight of the baby

The great news about this is that your baby is growing. It’s really exciting to see that your pregnancy is progressing well and that your baby is healthy so far.

The tough side to it is that their weight is putting some extra pressure on your body and more specifically, your spine.

This is usually the cause of lower back pain in most cases.

• Hormonal changes

While you’re pregnant, your body is experiencing so many hormonal changes. There is a cocktail of hormones from progesterone, estrogen and relaxing which can bring about unwanted changes like mood swings and in this case, back pain.

These hormones are important because they prepare your body for the birth process but they can make your back feel very uncomfortable meanwhile.

Position your body the right way to get extra support throughout the day (Photo: Courtesy)

• Bad posture

Good posture is something that we have always been educated on. And when you’re pregnant, it’s even more important to ensure you are getting some extra support by positioning your body the right way throughout the day.

Keep in mind that during pregnancy your center of gravity shifts which is exactly why you need to go the extra mile to ensure you are practicing the habits of good posture like keeping your back straight and avoiding knocking your knees.

Also, while you sleep, you can try using some pregnancy pillows to give you some extra support for your entire body.

• Excessive weight gain

It’s important to be at a healthy weight during pregnancy. But people often assume it means pilling up the unhealthy foods in the name of eating for two.

There are many risks that come with being overweight during pregnancy and that includes the occurrence of persistent back pains. These pains can even extend after delivery which shows how risky it is to add weight excessively.

You should mostly focus on eating healthy food options as you monitor your weight to prevent these problems.

• Wrong footwear

Choosing the right footwear is probably something that is often forgotten. You might be wondering why you are constantly struggling with a painful back without noticing that you are not getting enough support from your footwear.

Avoid shoes that are completely flat or too high and whatever you wear always make sure they have a soft padding. This includes the sandals you wear around the house.

What to do when the back pain won’t go away

Other than changing your foot wear, maintaining good posture and maintaining a healthy weight, you can look into stretching and massages.

You can start with simple and light stretches after checking in with your doctor to ensure your body can handle it and you can also book yourself for weekly messages at a spa or have your partner help you out to ease the discomfort.