Back pain is a very common problem for a woman during pregnancy. This is no surprise as a woman gains weight, has to walk differently and hormones are beginning to relax muscles and ligament throughout their body. Reports show that between 50 and 70 percent of all pregnant women experience back pain, especially in their third trimester and many times the pain can be intense and debilitating.

The joy of a new baby can be diminished for women by constant back pain while pregnant, causing a lot of stress and frustration because lack of relief that is available. Many medicines used for reducing pain have side effects that many endanger both a mother and unborn child. For this very reason, it is important to know why back pain is occurring and effective alternatives to medication. Even though pregnancy back pain is no surprise, it should not be ignored. A low backache may be a sign of labor and severe back pain may indicate an underlying problem that needs attention.

Back pain during a pregnancy can be related to many different things. Some women experience lower back pain as soon as their pregnancy begins. Women who are considered to be at high risk for back pain are those who have had pain back before the pregnancy or are currently overweight.

Other causes of back pain during pregnancy include:

~ Increased hormones. Hormones that are released during a pregnancy allow for ligaments in the pelvic region to soft and joints to loosen in preparing for the birthing process. These shifts and loosening may shift the support normally in the back.
~ Gravity. A woman’s center of gravity slowly moves forward as the uterus and baby begin to grow, which causes a change in posture.
~ Addition of weight. A developing pregnancy and baby cause additional weight to be put on the back.
~ Position/posture. Excessive standing, poor posture and bending over can cause or worsen pain in the back.
~ Stress. Stress finds the weakest parts of the body and because there are changes in the pelvic area, pain may be experience during stressful times.

It is good to know that the average length of time for a woman to experience back pain during pregnancy is six months. Nearly 35% of women experience back pain 1 ½ months after delivery. At their first postpartum check up, only 15% of women continue to have back pain but in most women, the pain does improve greatly after pregnancy.

Ways to relieve back pain during pregnancy

~ Practice good posture. It is best to sit and stand with care; sit with feet elevated and stand with one foot on a step stool.
Choosing a chair that supports the back will help when sitting.
~ Lay down on your side and not on your back and lay with both knees bent.
~ Lift objects properly. Life by squatting down and lifting with the legs, do no bend at the waist.
~ Wear proper shoes. Wear shoes with low heels and good arch support. Choose maternity pants with a supportive waistband and consider using a support belt.
~ Apply heat. Soak in a warm tub or apply a heating pad to the back. Some women find relief in alternating between hot and cold.
~ Exercise. Regular exercise keeps the back strong and helps to relieve back pain.
~ Pelvic exercises. Try pelvic tilt exercises by pulling in the abdomen and arching the spine.
~ Chiropractic or acupuncture care. It is not known for sure how effective either treatment is, but many women do find relief in them during pregnancy.