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Know-how: Pregnancy Back Ache

Your changing centre of gravity and hormonal shifts can bring on back pain, but we're here to help

Posted: 8 June 2009
by ThinkBaby

You are not alone in suffering from back pain, if this is any consolation – more than 50 per cent of pregnant women complain about it during various points in their pregnancy.

What causes pregnancy back pain?
The main culprit is the extra weight of the baby changing your centre of gravity as the baby (and subsequent bump) grows.
Hormonal changes during the early part of pregnancy offer other contributory factors, and you also have loosening ligaments between pelvic bones and joints in preparation for the birth and the possibility of urinary infection.
You need to distinguish between back pain and severe back pain in pregnancy; the latter can be a pointer to something more serious and warrants thorough investigation and treatment, and if it does feel this bad, talk to your midwife or GP.

What can you do about pregnancy back pain?
You need to be strengthening both your abdominals (which support the growing baby bump) and your lower back (which in turn supports your abdominals). So basic ‘cat curl’ exercises for your abdominals (no exercise should be done lying on your back from the first trimester so normal sit-ups are out) and an exercise like ‘Superman’ will both improve your core stability muscles and strengthen your lower back.
Try to keep the right posture, avoid artificial strain, walk properly and no slouching!
Apart from that, try and follow these simple tips. Frequently change sitting position and avoid standing for too long. Avoid high-heeled shoes and make sure you get proper rest and sleep. If you follow all of the above, you should not only cope better with any back pain, but maybe even avoid it all together.

For more help, check out our article, Beat Pregnancy Back Pain.

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Memme
I'm pregnant with twins and am on my first trimester. Since i found out i've been having abdominal pains as well as back pain. The other day it felt as if something was turning inside of me and it was somehow moving with such a pain . Am worried as i haven't been to my Gynaecologist for check ups. Am under i whole lot of stress as the father of my babies is not participating in their existence.

Posted: 09/06/2009 at 12:04


donna and william
First thing if you are worried make an appointment with your doctor or ring your midwife. It is early to feel backache but as you have 2 babies growing inside you it could be your body preparing for the weight you will soon be carrying.

Sorry to hear that your babies dad is absent, have you got a network of family and friends to support you? My partner walked out on me and my son when he was 3 months old and we are doing fine. The good thing about is women, we are strong and more often than not we font need a man. Keep smiling but i am here if you want to moan

Donna

Posted: 11/06/2009 at 07:58


Anne-Marie mammy to Abi and Kirsty

hi i have just found out im pregnant and have back ache and tummy ache not really bad pain just really uncomfortable so try not to worry to much i had sciatica in the last trimester of my first pregnancy so think it might just be a touch of that i havent had my booking in appointment yet with the midwife but i think i had pains last time aswell try not to stress to much as its not good for the babies and if the pain is really bad please go see the doctor or midwife.

sorry the babies dad isnt being supportive hope you have some good family around you. when are you due?

love anne-marie x x


Posted: 11/06/2009 at 10:53


Memme

Good day Donna and Anne-Marie...........

 How are you  ladies , am okay for now and thank you very much for you support.

As for the support from my family presently my mother and i are not in good terms( its a bit personal), the only people who are there for me are my colleagues and my 1 friend.

The abdominal pains that i used to have for now they have subsided but suffer from the backache. Made an appointment with my OB/GYN for these coming weekend that's when i'll find out more about the their safety and growth.

Still i haven't heard anything from their father and i have made peace with that


Posted: 11/06/2009 at 12:58


claire140209

Afternoon Memme.

I had backache from about 6 weeks with my baby girl born 14/02/09! It started very early on, went to the doctors and said as long as it was only an ache and not a real pain then nothing to worry about!!! He sad if it worsened to go back to him!!When i reached about 15 weeks it stopped, but then it returned with a vengance 1 week before i went into labour!!

Be strong for your babies!! All the best Claire and Chloe xxxx


Posted: 11/06/2009 at 13:13

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