One of the most common complaints during pregnancy is back pain or back discomfort. Its expected, after all you are gaining a good 10-20 pounds straight out infront of you. Not to mention your body is preparing for labour by loosening up all the joints in the body. Hip pain is also very common, there is afterall a kid inside your body and they can put a lot of pressure on certain bones and joints. If you can find a good chiropractor who specializes in adjusting pregnant women he or she will become your best friend. The same goes for a good prenatal massage. They are worth their weight in gold. I find that running or walking on an incline at a good speed really helps with my lower back discomforts but I have a lot of stiffness and pain in my upper back and shoulders. Hot baths are definatly out for pain relief, they can raise your core temperature too a dangerous level for your little baby. Hot showers are do-able, since you arent submerged. But I usually have two little boys pounding on the bathroom door so my hot showers are never very relaxing. Even if you cant find or afford a proffessional massage a good back rub from any willing person is definatly helpful. I pester my husband constantly to rub my back, especailly my very lower back, just above my tail bone and my upper back between my shoulder blades. Those are the places that hurt me the most. I have found for me laying on my back on the floor really helps with the discomfort, the pain and tension really melts away but I cant stay in that position long before starting to hurt. Of course good posture and good supportive shoes go a long way to help keep the back pain away. I try to fix my posture as often as possible but the shoe issue is where Im very guilty. I hate shoes, if I am not running or working out I wear flip flops, year around- possibley the worst shoes you can wear besides high high heels during pregnancy. So keep those sneakers on, back straight tummy ‘in’ and shoulders relaxed and that will go a long way to preventing back pain during your pregnancy.

Posted by Shelley in Journal on August 24th, 2007 |