10 Reasons for Low Back Pain

Lower back pain is a common complaint during pregnancy. The changes in the woman's body during pregnancy make her more susceptible to back pain. In preparation for childbirth, your pelvic muscles loosen to make way for the baby to pass through. While this is a necessary step for childbirth, it is also a major cause of back pain. In addition, the growth of the baby causes your center of gravity to shift. You have to change posture to accomodate this. This change can place increasing pressure on the back ligaments.

Lower back pain is a normal part of pregnancy. However, in some cases, a dull back pain can indicate preterm labor. Also, severe back pain or back pain along with vaginal discharge or bleeding may need treatment. If you have any doubts regarding your back ache, contact your doctor immediately.

Causes

Although there are some pregnancy specific reasons for lower back pain, most causes are the same as when you are not pregnant. The following factors may cause lower back pain:

• You gain more than the recommended weight.
• Your ligaments become softer than usual and the muscles feel weak because of the increasing weight and size of your baby.
• If the back of the head of the fetus is positioned towards your back, you may have a low back pain.
• When your baby begins to drop, his head can cause pressure on the pelvis resulting in backache.
• You change your position rapidly or a changing pattern in the movement of your pelvic joints.
• You develop urinary tract infection during pregnancy.
• Wearing foot wear with heels causes pressure on the lower back triggering the pain.
• Carrying heavy weights can cause low back pain.
• You have a bad standing or sitting posture.
• You have been standing or walking the whole day.

Prevention

Some ways to prevent low back pain are as follows:

• Avoid putting on too much weight.
• Check your posture to ensure that you do not have a stoop.
• Avoid foot wears with heels and completely flat ones. Foot wear with low heels of around one inch help in maintaining a good posture.
• Pelvic floor and abdominal exercises help in preventing low back pain. The angry cat exercise is a good exercise. To do this exercise, kneel down and stretch your hand and legs. Make sure to keep your back flat. Now push the lower back upwards and bring it to the flat position once again. You may want to talk to your doctor before you do this exercise. Walking is another good exercise.
• Do not carry heavy objects on your own.
• Avoid slouching on your chair with crossed legs.
• Get yourself checked for urinary tract infection and get treated if needed.

Treatment

You can try to provide some relief to your aching back by following the tips below:

• Maintain a healthy balanced diet.
• Move your pelvic muscles to stretch the back muscles and realign the uterus.
• Massaging or applying pressure on the affected area provides a soothing effect.
• A warm water bath or hot water pack provides good relief.
• Studies show that sleeping on your side with a pillow below your stomach reduces back pain.
• Sleep on a firm mattress.
• Ask someone to help you with carrying heavy weights.
• Sit straight with your legs at a raised level and use a cushion or a small pillow to support your back.
• Maternity support belts take over some of your baby's weight from your back and the muscles on your stomach.
• Don’t bend your back to lift objects or children. Always bend your knees and lower yourself with a straight back and lift. If it’s a child asking the child to first stand on a chair or bed and then lifting is better.