Back pain or discomfort is common during pregnancy and should be expected to some degree by most women. Back pain may be experienced during any point of pregnancy; however, it most commonly occurs later in pregnancy as baby grows. Weight gain, change in centre of gravity and hormones relax ligaments in pelvis inducing back pain. Prevalence of back pain during pregnancy: 50 – 70% of pregnant women experience back pain during last trimester of pregnancy. Causes: Weight gain: During a healthy pregnancy, women typically gain between 25 and 35 pounds. The spine has to support that weight. That can cause lower back pain. Posture changes: Pregnancy shifts center of gravity. This may result in back pain or strain. Hormone changes: During pregnancy, body makes a hormone called relaxin that allows ligaments in the pelvic area to relax and the joints to become looser in preparation for the birth process. The same hormone can cause ligaments that support the spine to loosen, leading to instability and pain. Muscle separation: As the uterus expands, two parallel sheets of muscles (the rectal abdominis muscles), which run from the chest to the wasit, may separate along the center seam. This separation may worsen back pain. Emotional stress can cause muscle tension in the back, which may be felt as back pain or back spasms.Common patterns of back pain during pregnancy: Experts describe two common patterns of low back pain in pregnancy: Lumbar pain occurs in the area lower back, and posterior pelvic pain is felt in the back of waist. Some women have symptoms of both types of low back pain. Lumbar pain is like the low back pain. Pain is felt over and around spine approximately at the level of waist. Pain also radiates to legs. Sitting or standing for long periods of time and lifting usually make it worse, and it tends to be more intense at the end of the day. Pelvic pain is felt deep inside the buttocks, on one or both sides or the back of thighs. It may be triggered by activities such as walking, climbing stairs, getting in and out of a tub or a low chair, rolling over in bed, or twisting and lifting. Positions bent at the waist – such as sitting in a chair and leaning forward while working at a desk – may make posterior pelvic pain worse. Women with posterior pelvic pain are also more likely to have pain over their waist. Management: Exercise – stretch pattern Yoga Acupuncture Chiro-practice Posture correction Rest and sleep
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