Back Pain During Pregnancy
When it comes to inevitable pains during your pregnancy, back pain is at the top of the list. There’s no way to avoid it, as all women experience back pain. There are however, different ways to help reduce the amount of back pain you’re experiencing, as well as reasons why you’re experiencing them.
Also, the type or severity of your back pain should be noted. If it’s normal back pain associated with pregnancy, then you probably should hold off on contacting your doctor. But if the pain is severe and no at-home treatment methods are working, then you should definitely contact your doctor immediately. If the pain is low and dull, this could be a sign of preterm labor. Or if your back pain is coupled with another problem such as vaginal bleeding or discharge, this may be an indication something is not okay. Still, if you’re just not sure about your back pain and want advice, contact your doctor and set an appointment.
Causes of Back Pain
There can be many causes of behind your back pain, however you have to keep in mind the most common causes of back pain, which are:
- Baby is Growing
- Learning a New Way to Walk
- Hormones are Changing
- Weight Gain
Treating Back Pain
There are many different ways to relieve back pain, but honestly, it never really goes away and only gets worse as the pregnancy progresses. Certain things that have been known to help include:
- Back Massages
- Body Massages (head to toe)
- Lying Down and Resting
- Improving Posture
- Exercise
- Heating pads, Warm Baths or Showers
- Pelvic Exercises
- Good, Proper or Better Shoes
- Pain Medicine such as Tylenol
These are just suggestions, as your doctor can help you relieve the back pain more effectively. However, these suggestions just might be what the doctor orders, so keep that in mind. If you take care of yourself, your body will repay you in its own ways. So keep your head up, it’s only for about 40 weeks.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you should never take any medications while you’re pregnant, even Tylenol. Check with your doctor first, since over-the-counter medicines such as Advil and Motrin are not good for your baby, while in most cases Tylenol is.
