When a woman is pregnant, it is not at all uncommon for her to deal with back pain, especially in the final months. It’s been estimated that more than half of women suffer from this experience to one degree or another.

Why does pregnancy back pain happen?

There are several different reasons why pregnancy and back pain are linked:

• Pregnancy hormones cause ligaments to weaken where the pelvis and spine connect. This happens as an aid in preparing for the baby’s movement through the birth canal, but it can cause joint instability and back pain.
• As the baby’s weight increases, so does the pressure on the spine and pelvic areas.
• The body’s center of gravity undergoes a change during pregnancy because of the uterus expanding. This can result in changes in the woman’s posture, putting stress on the back.

In most cases, any back pain you might experience will go away on its own after the birth. But, should you continue to have back pain more than a couple of weeks after your child is born, it is advised that you speak with your healthcare provider. In this way, he or she can either rule out more serious issues, as well as recommend medication or other treatments if appropriate.

Tips for preventing and avoiding pain during pregnancy

Pregnant women often find relief from back pain by employing a variety of different strategies. These include:

• Making the back muscles stronger by doing recommended exercises
• Trying to maintain a healthy weight level throughout the pregnancy
• Not standing for extended periods of time
• Not lifting anything heavy
• Practicing good posture
• Wearing flat- or low-heeled shoes with arch supports

The Mayo Clinic has put together a list of the many different things you can do to help with pregnancy back pain. Go to:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy/art-20046080