Back pain has started 3 days ago.. not fun!! What are some things you do to ease back pain that you find helpful? ☺️
WeMoms
2 Apr 2024
Back Pain Relief: Strategies to Ease Discomfort
Comprehensive Guide: Understanding and Managing Back Pain During Pregnancy 🤰🌸
Back pain is a prevalent issue during pregnancy, affecting an estimated 50 percent to 80 percent of pregnant women. The pain can vary from mild discomfort associated with specific activities to acute pain that becomes chronic.
In about 10 percent of cases, the pain can become severe enough to interfere with daily activities and work during pregnancy.
Studies show that lower back pain typically occurs between the fifth and seventh months of pregnancy, although it can start as early as eight to 12 weeks.
Pregnant women with pre-existing lower back problems are at higher risk for back pain, and their pain may occur earlier in their pregnancy.
Identifying Back Pain Symptoms 💢🌈
During pregnancy, back pain is generally located at and above the waist in the center of the back. It may be accompanied by pain radiating into the leg or foot.
Posterior pelvic pain, felt below the waistline, on one or both sides, or across the tailbone, is four times more prevalent than lumbar pain during pregnancy.
Causes and Risk Factors for Back Pain in Pregnancy 🩺🔍🤰
Several factors contribute to back pain during pregnancy:
- 💢 Hormonal Changes: Pregnancy hormones cause pelvic-area ligaments to soften and joints to loosen in preparation for childbirth, affecting the support your back typically experiences.
- 💢 Shift in Center of Gravity: Your center of gravity shifts forward as your uterus and baby grow, leading to changes in posture.
- 💢 Additional Weight: Your developing pregnancy and baby add extra weight that your back must support.
- 💢 Poor Posture or Position: Poor posture, excessive standing, and bending over can trigger or worsen back pain.
- 💢 Stress: Stress tends to accumulate in weaker areas of the body. The changes in your pelvic area during pregnancy may cause an increase in back pain during stressful periods.
Diagnosing Back Pain During Pregnancy 🕵️♀️🧩🤰
Diagnosis of back pain during pregnancy is based on:
- 💢 Medical History Review: Your healthcare provider will review your medical history.
- 💢 Physical Examination: A physical examination will be conducted to assess your condition.
- 💢 MRI: In some cases, an MRI may be used to rule out a herniated disk. However, X-rays or CT scans are not performed due to radiation concerns during pregnancy.
Effective Back Pain Treatment During Pregnancy 💆♀️🌼🏋️♀️
Here are some strategies to manage and alleviate back pain during pregnancy:
- 💆♀️ Maintain Good Posture: Pay attention to your posture while sitting and standing. Use chairs that provide proper support, a straight back, arms, and a firm cushion. Avoid crossing your legs, as it may tilt your pelvis forward and strain your back.
- 💆♀️ Take Regular Breaks: Avoid prolonged sitting or standing. Take breaks to walk, stand, and stretch at least once an hour.
- 💆♀️ Lift Carefully: If you must lift, do so slowly and with proper technique. Assume a wide stance, bend at the knees (not the waist), and lift with your arms and legs (not your back).
- 💆♀️ Manage Your Weight: Maintain a healthy weight to reduce strain on your back.
- 💆♀️ Choose the Right Shoes: Opt for shoes with a 2-inch heel to maintain proper body alignment. Avoid extremely high heels or completely flat shoes.
- 💆♀️ Use a Step Stool: Reach for items from high places using a stable step stool to prevent strain.
- 💆♀️ Mental Relaxation: Stress relief and a calm mind can reduce back tension. Consider prenatal yoga, which relaxes both your mind and back.
- 💆♀️ Physiotherapy and Exercise: Physiotherapy, yoga, walking, biking, and swimming are generally safe for most pregnant women. Aim for 20 to 45 minutes, three to five days a week, at a mild to moderate intensity.
- 💆♀️ Strengthen Your Core: Perform pelvic tilts to strengthen your abs, providing additional support to your back. You can also use an exercise ball to rock back and forth.
- 💆♀️ Alternate Hot and Cold Compresses: Apply cold compresses for soothing sore muscles, followed by warm compresses in 15-minute intervals.
- 💆♀️ Relaxing Warm Baths: Taking a warm bath or using the showerhead on pulsating mode can provide a massage effect for your back.
- 💆♀️ Prenatal Massage: After the first trimester, consider getting a prenatal massage from a trained professional.
Always Consult Your Healthcare Provider 📞🩺
Back pain can sometimes indicate more serious conditions, such as preterm labor.
If you experience new and cyclical pain or any alarming symptoms like vaginal bleeding, changes in vaginal discharge, or numbness and tingling in the buttocks, legs, or feet, promptly consult your healthcare provider.
Always seek professional advice before taking any medication during pregnancy. Your healthcare provider will help guide you through the best options to manage and relieve back pain while ensuring a healthy pregnancy journey. 🌸🤰🌈
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Jameria
12 Dec 2023
I’m 20 weeks and the back pain is excruciating, anything you mamas do to help ease the pain a little so you can at least sleep ? 🥲
Jasmine
I use a heating pad on low setting for few minutes that helps me.
27 Mar 2024
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Epiphany
Definitely try hot showers before bed
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Sham
30 Jan 2023
Suggestions to ease back aches? I've been prone to back aches my whole life but this is just more constant.
Shaybaee
Heating pad
27 Mar 2024
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Ashley
Soaking in the tub always helped me and I'm like you I've suffered from back issues my whole life I'm not sayin it'll be a permanent fix or anything but it'll help
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Janetta
19 Dec 2022
I made it 11 weeks yesterday and the back pain has officially began! What do you use to help ease the pain?
Carla
icy hot patches 10/10 recommend especially the ones with lidocaine
27 Mar 2024
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🍹Jenni
Definitely been noticing back pain! I had that I lot when I was pregnant with my son. Even my contractions were in my back not my stomach. Strange!
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Quoyah
8 Dec 2022
Any known relief for lower back pain while at work ? I have to stand pretty much the entire 8 hours and my back and pelvic bone are basically grinding together
Danielle 🦦🪷
You could try a belly support band
27 Mar 2024
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Quoyah
I’ve tried it and it doesn’t help me at all. It like restricts my breathing. Idk maybe I was wearing it wrong 😂
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Tianna
30 Nov 2022
I’m experiencing the worst lower back pains ever 😭😭😭🤧 Any advice to ease the pain . I been trying to do stretches but it’s kinda difficult.
Morgan
Warm bath or heating pad if you have one
27 Mar 2024
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Dezmian
i do a warm shower normally works. just dont sit back down and try and get up 😂🫠
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Tee
20 Nov 2022
What do y’all do or take to ease the pain with your back. My back is killing me 😩
Tee
Thank you. I just did a hot bath and almost couldn’t get up lol I’m lieng down for the night now. Thank you!
27 Mar 2024
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Nicole
13 Nov 2022
Any ideas besides a bath to help ease back pain I been having bad contractions for two days and not dilating any still at 2cm and 50 percent efaced.
Bry 😘
You 36 weeks?
27 Mar 2024
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Nicole
I am 38 weeks and a day
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AshleyLyn
14 Aug 2022
24 ¹/² weeks todays & the back pain is so intense. Nothing seems to ease the pain.
Reba
Same. I’m also 24 weeks. And the back pain had been killer. Hope you feel better soon ❤️❤️
27 Mar 2024
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Sarah
My back pain just started up the past week or two and not much helps. The most I have been able to do is some house chores to loosen up the muscles in my back to ease the pain. So far, it has relatively helped
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Kendall
17 Nov 2021
I’m 34 weeks and don’t sleep much because my back hurts( lower right side only) to where I can’t even turn over … any advice on how to ease the discomfort. It feels like my lower back needs to pop but won’t- I get stuck sitting and I cant get back up it because hurts too bad
ashlynn
Try a heating pad ! Just keep it on your lower back girl
27 Mar 2024
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Madison
Girl I feel you. I’m 33 weeks and can’t move 🥲🥲
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