Claudia Koch, MD Family Practice Bay View Family Health Center

October 01, 2008

Back pain is common during pregnancy. Research shows 50% - 80% of women experience it. Fortunately, there are plenty of things women can do both before and during pregnancy to minimize back pain.

Back pain happens in pregnancy because a woman’s body is changing. The pregnancy hormone relaxes joints and ligaments to prepare a woman’s body for childbirth – at the same time leaving her more prone to strains and injuries. The pregnant woman is gaining weight and her center of gravity is shifting as her belly extends. Women can prepare their bodies before pregnancy through exercise, nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.

Maximize your back strength before pregnancy

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Be physically active.
• Do exercises that strengthen muscles supporting your belly and your back.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Don’t smoke. (In addition to causing lung cancer and heart disease, smoking contributes to orthopedic injuries because nicotine impairs the optimum oxygen transport to all areas of the body- including muscles and ligaments.)
• Consider participating in yoga classes.
• Take safety precautions to protect yourself from injury.
• If you already suffer from back pain, you may want to ask your physician to refer you to a physical therapist for a good home exercise program to strengthen your back prior to pregnancy.

Minimize back pain during pregnancy

• Make healthy food choices.
• Stay active to the degree that is comfortable.
• Wear shoes with low heels and good arch support.
• Use a maternity support belt around your lower abdomen.
• Continue yoga with an instructor trained in yoga for pregnant women.
• Try sleeping on your side with a pillow between your legs.
• Ask your partner for a gentle massage.
• Seek remedies through a physical therapist, chiropractor or acupuncturist who is experienced with treating pregnant women.
• Apply a heating pad or hot water bottle or try an ice pack.
• Take Tylenol as a safe pain reliever.

Symptoms to discuss with your physician
While back pain is common during pregnancy, contact your physician if you are experiencing any of the following:

• back pain that is rhythmic (you may be experiencing early labor)
• back pain that is accompanied by pain, numbness or weakness in your legs
• back pain that is accompanied by a loss of bladder or bowel control
• back pain that is severe

The good news is that back pain during pregnancy does not necessarily predict back pain during labor and that giving birth is often the cure. I have rarely had patients’ back pain continue after childbirth if they didn’t have problems prior to their pregnancy.