Lower Backpain in Late Pregnancy |
 Lower back pain during pregnancy is not usually anything to worry about. Most women experience back pain at some point during their pregnancy and there are even some women who have back pain throughout their entire pregnancy (poor ladies)! Lower backpain in late pregnancy could be happening for a number of reasons.
1. Extra weight: By the last trimester, your baby has grown to be close to his or her full size and is now starting to gain weight at a rapid pace. This means that you are now carrying around a lot of extra weight�all of which is supported by your lower back region. Sometimes it can even feel like your hips are spreading farther apart to give the baby a place to rest. Pay attention to how you are walking�chances are your backside is pushing out farther than it did before you were pregnant in an effort to distribute your weight more evenly.
2. Muscle Weakness: Usually your abdominal muscles help provide support to your spine but during pregnancy these muscles become weakened as they get moved around to make room in your body for the growing baby. These muscles are no longer able to hold your spine in place as strongly as they used to, which causes your spine to bear more of the weight of your body (and the baby).
Here are some tips to help alleviate lower back pain in late pregnancy:
1. Lie on your side with a pillow between your knees to provide support for your spine. Make sure to keep your knees bent, even while you are sleeping. You might also think about putting a pillow under your abdomen to provide extra support to your spine.
2. Make sure you are wearing low shoes with proper arch support. Toss the high heels or even the low heels into the closet for your post pregnancy days. For now wear comfortable shoes that give your feet the support they need to properly line up your spine.
3. Apply some heat. Lie in a warm bathtub or use a heating pad or a hot water bottle on your back. Heat will soothe your muscles and help them relax, which will do wonders in alleviating the pain.
4. When you are sitting down, keep your feet elevated slightly, but don't cross your legs. Sit in a chair that supports your back and change your position often. Get up and walk around for a minute�don't sit or stand for too long.
5. Simple Exercise: there are simple exercises you can do�hamstring stretches, pelvic tilts, etc that can help stretch out your muscles and alleviate your back pain. There are plenty of resources available that will teach you how to do these exercises.
Always make sure to call your doctor if your lower back pain in late pregnancy is different than the back pain you've experienced previously. Your doctor will be able to tell you if the lower back pain is typical or if it could be a sign that your baby is on the way!
Hip and Lower Back Pain Tip #1
Back pain is one of the most common forms of bodily pain. It is estimated that eight in ten people will be affected by back pain. Amazingly, back pain is one of the easiest injuries to prevent. |
Hip and Lower Back Pain Tip #2
Believe it or not, cigarette smoking can increase a person�s risk of developing lower back pain and sciatica. What�s more, smoking can prolong the healing process which means that back injuries, surgery and bones will cause pain for a longer period of time. |
Hip and Lower Back Pain Tip #3
The best thing a person can do to keep his or her back healthy is to get regular exercise. In addition to a few muscle specific exercises that can be found by way of a simple web search, it has been proven that exercises geared toward balance and strength (like yoga) can help a person decrease his or her risk of falling and causing injury to the back muscles. |
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