After pregnancy, every expectant mother will feel happy and joyful for the healthy growth of her baby. But another fact that cannot be avoided is that the waist and back of pregnant women will become more and more uncomfortable.
Most expectant mothers will encounter the problem of waist and back pain during pregnancy, and this kind of pain usually occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy, which really makes the whole person bad…
Why is there lumbago and backache during pregnancy?
There are many reasons for waist and back pain during pregnancy, the most common of which are as follows:
Step 1: Weight gain
During pregnancy, the weight of pregnant women will generally increase by more than 10 kilograms.
Spine is an important load-bearing structure, which is a bit too much to bear due to the sudden [extra burden] of weight gain during pregnancy and will cause mild back pain.
The increase in the weight of the fetus and uterus will also cause compression on the blood vessels and nerves of the pelvis and back, causing discomfort.
Step 2: Posture Change
Pregnancy will change the original center of gravity of the pregnant woman. In order to adapt to this change, the pregnant woman is likely to adjust her posture unconsciously, which will pull the back muscles and lead to back pain.
3. Hormonal changes
During pregnancy, the pregnant woman’s body secretes a hormone called relaxin, which is used to relax ligaments and joints in the pelvic region to prepare for childbirth.
However, [relaxin] can also relax the ligaments supporting the spine, leading to spinal instability and back pain.
Step 4: Muscle separation
As the pregnant woman’s uterus gradually becomes larger, the two groups of muscle groups parallel from ribs to pelvis (muscle groups near rectum) may separate to both sides, and this separation will aggravate back pain.
5. Stress
Mental stress can also cause muscle tension, leading to back pain or muscle spasms.
Many pregnant women will have persistent mental stress during pregnancy, which will gradually aggravate back pain.
How to relieve low back pain?
Step 1 Exercise appropriately
Regular exercise can enhance muscle endurance, improve body flexibility and help relieve back muscle tension.
For pregnant women, safer exercise methods include walking, swimming, riding fixed bicycles, etc.
Step 2 Adjust your posture
Proper posture adjustment can avoid excessive pressure on the spine.
For example, placing a pillow between the knees of a pregnant woman during sleep can relieve back pressure. Usually, you can use the backrest to support when sitting down, or you can put your feet on a stack of books or a small stool, and at the same time, you can sit up straight with your shoulders back.
3. Counseling
If low back pain intensifies when mental stress is high, it may be helpful to try to talk to trusted friends or a psychologist.
4. Auxiliary methods
Cold and hot compress and spinal massage also have certain effects on relieving low back pain.
You can place a cold compress bag, such as a bag of ice in a towel, on the pain area several times a day for about 20 minutes each time. You can also use hot compress and place an electric blanket in the pain area.
However, it must be noted that abdominal contact with high temperature should be avoided during pregnancy, and these methods should be carried out under the guidance of professional doctors.
If the manipulation is correct, you can also try spinal massage therapy. This therapy is safe for pregnant women, but you must consult your doctor before massage if you can accept massage.
Unless the pregnant woman already suffers from chronic back pain before pregnancy, generally speaking, the back pain caused by pregnancy will gradually relieve before delivery.
5. Medication
When necessary, take acetaminophen and other drugs for treatment under the guidance of doctors.
Other Suggestions for Alleviating Waist and Back Pain during
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If you need to pick up things from the ground, squat down as much as possible and do not bend over to pick them up.
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Sleep can use the left lying position, not supine;
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Don’t wear high heels, wear comfortable low heels.
When does what need to see a doctor?
Simple back pain usually does not require medical treatment. When the pain is severe, if you need to use painkillers, you should consult an obstetrician and gynecologist.
If the expectant mother has the following circumstances, she must see a doctor in time:
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If there is severe back pain, it is relatively rare that it may be related to osteoporosis, spinal arthritis or suppurative arthritis during pregnancy. Although it is rare, it cannot be ignored.
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The pain is getting more and more serious or suddenly attacks.
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Intermittent spastic pain is probably related to premature delivery.
Editor: BruceLi