Backaches are soreness or pain that occurs in your back. Most women find that it is their lower backs, but the pain can travel upwards.
What causes it?
The majority of these backaches are associated with the weight of the fetus on the lower back. As the fetus grows larger, the extra weight on the front of the body is often too much for the lower back muscles to handle.
Tips?
The most common treatments prescribed are belly straps (which can be pricey but worthwhile), propping up your legs, and total body rest. If none of these help, you can always ask your healthcare provider for his or her opinion as to what might help relieve some of your discomfort. You should also call your provider if the pain comes and goes every few minutes, or is sustained and intense, as these may be signs of labor.
Reviewed by Dr. Jamie Lo
Read more
- Pregnancy massages: what they are, and how they can help
- OTC medications during pregnancy: everything you need to know
Sources
- Sir John Dewhurst. Dewhurst’s Textbook of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 8th ed. Keith Edmonds. John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2012. Print.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. “Back pain during pregnancy: 7 tips for relief.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 4/10/2013. Web.
