What Causes Back Pain during Pregnancy?

Back pain is very common in women during their pregnancies, especially prior to giving birth. Some lower back pain is normal during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester. However, serious chronic back pain is a problem and it is recommended to seek proper treatment to prevent the pain, as there are strong possibilities it may continue even after the birth.

While 70% of all pregnant women suffer some form of back pain, majority women have chronic back pain to begin with. If a woman has a back pain condition prior to becoming pregnant, the pregnancy could make the pre-existing pain even worse.

Here are some of the reasons why pregnant women suffer from back pain:

• Change in Center of Gravity: During pregnancy, especially in the later stages, the lower back is pulled forward by the extra weight and mass in a woman’s abdomen. The distribution of added weight is almost all forward, not centered over a woman’s pelvis. This change puts huge stress on the lower spine and especially the lower back muscles. This cause is especially apparent in the third trimester.

• Poor Posture: It is observed in many women that their posture changes when they are pregnant. The changes that occur in the distribution of weight pull the lower back forward. In response, many women tuck their buttocks in and try to straighten out their lower back. This posture causes a straightening of the normal lordotic curve (i.e. the curve on the spine). The abdomen is pulling the lumbar spine forward and increasing the lordotic curve. The posture change is pulling the spine back and straightening the lordotic curve. This back-and-forth battle is a prime cause for muscular lower back pain.

• Weight Gain: Aside from the weight of the baby itself, it is common for a woman to gain weight during pregnancy. While some weight gain is normal, excessive weight gain can cause many problems. More mass results in more force being applied to the spine and muscles.

• Hormonal changes: Chemical changes in a woman’s body also alter the actual physical structure of her joints, ligaments and spine. During pregnancy, the joints are relaxed and loosened which may cause arthritis-like symptoms in the spine etc. The coccyx is also changed to facilitate an easier birth. While the coccyx is normally immobile, it is free to move about during pregnancy, allowing passage of the baby during birth. This anatomical change can sometimes result in coccyx injury or coccyx pain.

• Strenuous Activity: Women who have regular activities such as working & cooking etc, may face the tendency of increased pain. For example: leaning forward increases the pressure on the lower back. Daily exercises such as jogging or rigorous walking will cause the abdomen to move, also increasing muscular pressure in the lumbar back.

• Baby Pressure: No, this is nothing psychological. There are times when the actual baby can apply pressure to internal organs, bones and nerves as it grows. This is especially true in the third trimester. The baby’s head, in particular can apply pressure to the spine and spinal nerves. It is common for woman to experience surges of back pain, as the baby moves in the womb.

• Weak back muscles: This area is most affected structural changes during pregnancy. Women who have a more inactive or desk-bound lifestyle will often have more back pain during pregnancy than active women. Strong lumbar muscles will offer better resistance to the increased pressure during pregnancy.

Always keep in mind that the pregnancy is cause for the pain, and not associate the back pain with some other structural problem. Some pain is normal, so relax if you find it tolerable. Its best to not become obsessive over pregnancy back pain as it may create an opportunity for the pain to continue after the birth. It’s best to believe that the pain will be born out of your body, along with the precious child. It is important to move on from the back pain after pregnancy. Resume a normal and healthy state of mind and your healthy body will return again, pain free.

Tags: back pain, back pain and pregnancy, backpain, birth, chronic back pain, healthy body, homonal changes, lower back pain, muscular pressure, pain, poor posture cause of back pain, Pregnancy, strenous activity, symptoms in pregnancy, third trimester of pregnancy, thrid trimester, vitality, weight gain, what causes back pain, women health