Back pain for pregnant women is observed during the last three months in many women, and back pain can continue for up to six months after childbirth, back pain for pregnant women is classified into several types that differ fundamentally in terms of the main cause of this pain, in addition to the exact location of the pain.
Low back pain can be the left side of the pregnant woman, low back pain on the right side of the pregnant woman, middle back pain for pregnant women, mid-back pain for pregnant women, or upper back pain for pregnant women, and we will also present in this article the most important ways to prevent and treat back pain for pregnant women.
Back pain during pregnancy is one of the early and common symptoms of pregnancy, and it is also classified as a complication of pregnancy, as 50-70% of pregnant women develop back pain during pregnancy, back pain in pregnancy usually begins during the second half of pregnancy, due to the growth of the child and its increase in size, as back pain during pregnancy affects the daily routine of pregnant life, which requires following treatment steps that help alleviate this pain.
Pregnant women may feel low back pain at night when lying in bed, as a result of increased blood flow inside the blood vessels in the pelvic and lower back areas.
Causes of back pain for pregnant women
The appearance of back pain in pregnant women is due to the following reasons:
- Weight gain during pregnancy.
- Hormonal changes, the body works to produce the hormone relaxin (English: Relaxin) during pregnancy, which leads to loosening of the ligaments in the pelvic area and spine, which may result in a feeling of instability and pain.
- Separation of the rectus abdominal muscles, The separation of the rectus abdominal muscles is observed in some pregnancies as a result of uterine dilatation.
- Stress and emotional stress, pregnant women experience stress and emotional stress during pregnancy, which causes increased tension and tension of the muscles.
- Changes in the center of gravity of the body, the appearance of changes in the center of gravity of the body during pregnancy pushes the pregnant woman to adjust the position of the body and the way of movement in some way, which leads to stress and pain in the back.
Types of back pain for pregnant women
The nature of back pain for pregnant women may vary from time to time and from one woman to another. Back pain may occur in pregnant women in the form of:
Lower back pain for the leg holder
Lower back and abdominal pain is a sign of pregnancy. The causes of extended low back pain for pregnant women are due to the following reasons, as these causes represent the same reasons behind the feeling of low back pain in non-pregnant women:
1- Ligaments, muscles, and joints are affected by the disc, and disc injury appears in these areas of the body as a result of fatigue and wrong body positions.
2- The wrong way to carry heavy objects.
3- Weakness of the back muscles.
4- Having a back injury.
5- Doing activities such as walking, standing for a long time, running, leaning forward, turning over on the bed, and carrying heavy objects.
6- Pregnancy progresses and fetal weight increases, which increases tension and burden on joints and ligaments in the lumbar region.
7- Weakness of the abdominal muscles.
8- The secretion of some hormones that relax muscles and ligaments in order to increase the flexibility and expansion of the birth canal, the effect of these hormones is not limited to the pelvis of the pregnant woman only, but extends to include all joints, including the joints of the spine, which leads to the spine losing its ability and full flexibility to face the increasing pressures and tensions due to the new strength of the pregnant woman and the increase in fetal weight.
Lower back pain of pregnant women that affects the iliac joint
Pregnant women develop low back pain as a result of injury to the iliac joint, which results in deep pain in the buttocks area as well as the back and side of the thigh. This type of pain increases as pregnancy progresses and, in some cases, after birth.
Pain in the lower iliac back increases while standing, walking, driving a car for long periods, or when lying on or getting up from the bed.
Lower back and hip pain for pregnant women
A small percentage of women suffer from hip pain during pregnancy, due to inflammation or pressure of the back on the hip nerve, or what is known as sciatica. Pregnant women feel weak, tired, and tingling as a result of injury to the hip nerve, which may be accompanied by back pain and may extend to the bottom of the leg.
It is worth noting that low back pain caused by injury to the sciatic nerve is not related to pregnancy, as it affects non-pregnant women as well, and this confirms the incorrectness of what is popularly common that the child causes pressure on the sciatic nerve. Moreover, the treatment methods used to treat this type of low back pain are completely different from what is used to treat other types.
As soon as she feels pain in or around the pelvic bone from the front side, the pregnant woman is required to see a doctor or physiotherapist to distinguish it from other types of back pain, as the pain of the pelvic bone or its surroundings from the front side is related to the state of non-functional pubic elevation.
Prevention of back pain for pregnant women
It is recommended to observe the following prevention methods to avoid back pain for pregnant women in addition to increasing the effectiveness of treatment methods:
1- Avoid wearing high heels.
2- Sleep on a hard and durable mattress and place a thin pillow below the knees.
3- Walk and do some exercise to strengthen the back muscles.
4- Bending the knees and hips when lifting heavy objects and not bending the back, and it is also recommended to carry them adjacent to the body until you reach the desired place.
5- Choose a sturdy seat with a straight back if the pregnant woman wants to sit so that her back is upright without bending it.
6- The pregnant woman should avoid crossing her legs when sitting for a long time, and should put a support on the floor to put one of her feet on it.
7- Maintain the rate of weight gain according to normal rates.
8- The stand stands on a fixed wooden armrest while the dishes are back in place or something is hung on the wall.
9- Relax as soon as the pregnant woman feels back pain.
10- Maintain physical fitness before pregnancy to relieve back pain for pregnant women.
11- Improving physical fitness during pregnancy by exercising weekly, it is recommended when the pregnant woman starts exercising gradually in exercise and pay attention to keeping the body in an upright position in addition to avoiding lifting heavy weights.
12- Avoid sitting wrongly, keep your back as straight as possible, and sit on a soft pillow, especially if the pregnant woman feels pain in the buttocks muscle.
Back pain treatment for pregnant women
The following points represent the most important methods of treatment and getting rid of back pain for pregnant women:
rubs
Pregnant women's lower back massage helps to give tired and sore muscles a relief mainly on the muscles on both sides of the spine and lumbar region.
She also advises the pregnant woman to consult a massage therapist or physiotherapist to ensure that she is properly medically assisted in addition to helping her find out the best back ointment for pregnant women.
Heat and water
Heat and water help relieve back pain for pregnant women, so it is recommended to get a warm bath that contributes to the comfort of the pregnant woman and rid her of back pain.
Cold and warm compresses
Cold or warm compresses are placed on the pain area for twenty minutes several times during the day for a period lasting from two to three days, taking care not to put compresses directly on the abdominal area during pregnancy. A doctor should be consulted before using compresses by pregnant women to relieve back pain.
Using the auxiliary belt
A physiotherapist advises wearing an auxiliary belt. This belt contributes to lifting a little of the baby's weight off the woman's back.
Sleep Aid Pillow
Sleeping on one side of the body with a special pillow for pregnancy in the lower abdomen contributes to getting rid of back pain for pregnant women.
Strength and balance training
Exercises for the lower abdomen contribute to reducing the weight of the load on the back of the pregnant woman. The pregnant woman can practice these exercises safely and easily by kneeling on her hands and knees so that her back is almost straight, and she has to inhale, then when exhaling she exercises her lower abdomen, and at the same time pulls her abdomen in and up.
You should maintain this position for five to ten seconds without holding herself or moving her back, and the pregnant woman should slowly relax her muscles at the end of the exercise. Also, the holder can stand with the back facing the wall and slowly press the back towards the wall until it touches, then move away from it, and repeat this exercise several times during the day.
Chinese acupuncture or acupuncture
Acupuncture is a Chinese medicine technique that uses thin needles that are pricked under the skin in certain areas. Acupuncture is believed to be effective in getting rid of back pain for pregnant women
When is back pain dangerous for pregnant women?
You should see a doctor immediately if any of the following conditions occur to find out when back pain is dangerous for pregnant women:
- Increasing the severity of back pain for pregnant women so that they can no longer be tolerated, in addition to continuing to increase the intensity of pain.
- The pregnant woman has difficulty urinating.
- The sudden appearance of back pain for pregnant women.
- Feeling of back tingles as in the extremities.
- It is worth noting that severe back pain in pregnant women may cause in some rare cases premature births, spondyloarthritis, or osteoarthritis, so you should consult a doctor and review it periodically.
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