Low back pain in pregnancy

Back pain during pregnancy can occur at any stage, and the pain may vary in nature and intensity. Closer to the onset of labor, such pain may occur as a result of the baby's head putting pressure on the lumbar region of the spine. An alarming sign of back pain is premature shortening of the cervix and opening of its os. Back pain in the third trimester of pregnancy occurs in about half of cases. It is often caused by increased stress on the lumbar region and weakened abdominal muscles as a result of their stretching. Such pain usually appears in the later stages and goes away after childbirth. The pain syndrome may increase after physical activity, standing for a long time or staying in one position, and also affect the lower limbs. Due to the softening of the ligaments, pain can be felt in the pubic area, thighs, and hip joints. To ease the condition, pregnant women are advised to balance their diet, include calcium-rich foods, nuts, fish, parsley, dill, etc. In case of regular pain, it is possible to use calcium salt of lactic acid or calcium carbonate. Pregnant women should limit the load on the lumbar region, it is not recommended to bend over so as not to strain the lower back. When sitting on a chair, it is advisable to lean on your back, it is better to sleep on a semi-rigid surface, you cannot wear high-heeled shoes. Light gymnastics and physiotherapy exercises have a positive effect on lower back pain. A set of procedures should be selected by a doctor, taking into account the nature of the complaints and the general symptoms of the disease.

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What can cause lower back pain during pregnancy?

Radiculitis and osteochondrosis

Lower back pain can be caused by radiculitis or lumbar osteochondrosis. Treatment of such diseases during pregnancy is complicated by the fact that pregnant women are not recommended to take many medications due to the risk of negative impact on the fetus. With symptoms of radiculitis or osteochondrosis, women should limit physical activity as much as possible, preferably be at rest, and it is possible to use anesthetic and warming ointments strictly as prescribed by a doctor. To avoid illness before and during pregnancy, you should not allow lifting weights, hypothermia, or physical overload.

Symphysitis

Due to hormonal imbalance and calcium deficiency in the body of a pregnant woman, in particular, under the influence of the hormone relaxin, softening of bone tissue and stretching in the pubic area may occur. This process is completely normal during pregnancy, but with severe swelling and severe stretching of the pubic symphysis, we may be talking about such a disorder as symphysitis. It is believed that hereditary predisposition and problems with the musculoskeletal system can also affect its development. With symphysitis, pain is felt when palpating the pubic symphysis, and can spread to the groin, thighs, pelvis, and lower back. The woman develops a waddling gait, it becomes very difficult to straighten her legs when lying on her back, and difficulties arise when climbing stairs. If the disease worsens directly during the birth process, the question of performing a cesarean section may arise. It seems unlikely to completely get rid of this disease during pregnancy, but there are several ways to relieve its symptoms. In the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, women are prescribed calcium supplements and vitamin-mineral complexes. In some cases, anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed. Most likely, it will be necessary to wear a bandage, physical overload should not be allowed, only special strengthening exercises can be performed. With symphysitis, it is undesirable to sit or lie on hard surfaces, as well as to remain in a sitting position for more than one hour, stand for a long time, or walk up the stairs.

Kidney diseases

During pregnancy, lower back pain may be the result of kidney disease. With pyelonephritis, stone deposition, glomerulonephritis, pain may radiate to the lower back. Associated symptoms may include problems with urination, pain, decreased urine output, and the release of stones. Diagnosis of the disease necessarily includes such procedures as blood and urine tests, ultrasound examination, and palpation of the painful area.

False contractions

Lower back pain during pregnancy can occur with Braxton-Hicks syndrome. These so-called false contractions can occur in a woman after twenty weeks of pregnancy. It should be taken into account that false contractions are not accompanied by the opening of the cervix. If the expected date of delivery has not yet arrived, alarming symptoms include vaginal discharge, pain in the lower abdomen, a short interval between contractions. In this case, we may be talking about the risk of termination of pregnancy. Therefore, it is extremely important to immediately contact a doctor with any symptoms that arise. False contractions are rare and are not regular. Uterine contractions can last about sixty seconds and do not cause pain as such. Why such symptoms occur remains not fully understood. Doctors say that one of the reasons is excessive excitability of the uterus.

Hypertonicity of the uterus

Back pain during pregnancy can occur against the background of hypertonicity of the uterus, which in turn can be a consequence of hormonal changes in the body and dysfunction of the ovaries, as well as excessive production of male sex hormones. The uterus can be in tone with inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs, as well as with neoplasms, for example, with uterine fibroids. Stress and depressive states during pregnancy can provoke such a condition as hypertonicity of the uterus. The main symptoms of this disorder are pain in the pubic area, distending pain in the lower abdomen, and a nagging pain in the lower back. When treating hypertonicity, first of all, the factor of emotional stress should be eliminated, it is necessary to observe bed rest, and one should not be nervous or worried. Antispasmodic drugs can be prescribed from medications.

Inflammation of the appendages

Irradiation of pain to the lower back during pregnancy may occur with inflammation of the uterine appendages. In this case, a woman may be bothered by pain in the lower abdomen, fever, nausea, vaginal discharge, chills. An asymptomatic course of the disease is also possible. Treatment of adnexitis (inflammation of the uterine appendages) includes antibacterial and antiviral therapy strictly according to the indications and prescription of the doctor, since many medications are contraindicated for pregnant women, as well as the exclusion of hypothermia.