How To Relieve Back Pain During Pregnancy?

Back pain is a problem which is invariably faced by all women at one time or the other during pregnancy. It needs to be checked right at the time when a woman starts experiencing it, and negligence on this account can result in prolonged problem of back ache, which may continue even after delivery.

Third trimester is the time when almost all women who have not taken due care face the problem of back pain. The worst part is that the doctors do not prescribe medicines for back ache and you are advised for the safety of your child to avoid all unnecessary medicines.

One of the main causes of back pain is hormonal changes that take place in the body. Some hormones produced during pregnancy tend to reduce elasticity of your muscles and joints. Also, as your pregnancy progresses, the centre of gravity gets shifted towards the front. Being overcautious against falling down due to shifted centre of gravity, you tend to change your posture and the spine tends to keep you back, consequently you have back pain. Added to it, being unable to change sides in bed, sitting straight in chair without being able to lean forward, may result in worsening of the problem.

To prevent back pain, it is advisable to ask your doctor to suggest some safe drug to be taken when the pain goes beyond tolerable limit. Keep the medicine handy. Some more precautions need to be taken to enable you to minimise the problem. These will include:

• Do some gentle exercises as suggested by your doctor from day one. These days, doctors give an exercise chart to be followed throughout the pregnancy period. Remember not to stretch or jerk your muscles too much. Do not do any exercise which may contract your stomach. Do all exercises slowly and steadily.

• Due to weight on the front side, pregnant women tend to sit with hunched back and shoulders leaning down wards. This is also a cause of sprain on the spinal cord and a cause of back pain. As far as possible sit straight. While walking try to keep your back in a straight position.

• Do not sit continuously for long hours. After every thirty minutes get up and walk a short distance. If your job requires long sitting hours you should keep a pillow or a cushion to support your back.

• In case you can find a yoga teacher near your home, go to him for light yoga exercises. A yoga teacher can suggest safe exercises which can be done during pregnancy and which will also help tone up your muscles. This is necessary not only during pregnancy but also makes you ready for labour.

• You can ask someone to do gentle massage on your back. Be happy and relaxed.