- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- pregnancy today articles
- pregnancy today q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
When Your Back Aches
Back Pain during Pregnancy
By Heather Larson
Robyn Shapiro of Albrightsville, Penn., saw a chiropractor during her last pregnancy due to a compressed disk. She says the chiropractic treatments relieved a lot of her pain – not just the pain from the disk, but also the everyday back pain that goes along with carrying an 8-pound baby.
Anywhere from 50 to 90 percent of all pregnant women will experience some type of back pain during their pregnancies. Pain is a message telling you to pay attention and that it is something you need to address, says Lisa Druxman, founder of Stroller Strides, a fitness program for new moms.
Although most back pain during pregnancy centers in the lower back area, there may be some discomfort in the upper back due to the enlargement of the breasts. "I was horrified to see myself go from a C cup to a DD cup during my first trimester," says Lisa Johnson of Brookline, Mass. "I kept thinking, I don't need these things yet! Come back in seven months."
Your breasts can increase by as much as 2 pounds during your pregnancy, and the extra weight can really curve your shoulders in and create upper back and neck strain, says Johnson, who owns Studio Elle Pilates and is currently writing a book. Even though your increasing breast size may cause discomfort in the upper back, most of the back pain experienced during pregnancy radiates from the lower back.
Lower backache can be an early sign or symptom of pregnancy according to Brad Imler, president of the American Pregnancy Association. When hormones trigger the body to prepare for pregnancy, that can sometimes cause back pain, but the back discomfort most women complain about is caused by the additional weight carried with pregnancy. That's why it's important to limit weight gain.
"Keep your weight gain to the safe minimum suggested by your physician," says Dr. Andrew Casden, associate director of the Spine Institute at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City. The more weight you carry, the more it stresses your spine.
Back pain also can be exacerbated by poor posture, restless nights and situations requiring you to stand for long periods of time, says Imler. "Paying attention to posture whether it is standing, sitting or relaxing is an important way to reduce or minimize back pain," he says. If your job requires you to stand, weave in periodic breaks to give your back a rest. There also are back support devices you can wear to support both the belly and the back. Sleeping on your side and using support pillows is a good way to try and get a good night's sleep, according to Imler. Correct posture and using proper body mechanics also can keep backaches at bay.
When you bend straight over to pick something up, the forward motion puts a strain on the spine, says Matthew Goodemote, radio host of Back Talk and author of the e-book Tips for Back Pain
Want to see more?
Comments
There are no comments for this article yet.Be the first to 
|
Post As:
|
||
| Enter your comment below: | ||
| Title | ||
| Comment Text | ||
| CAPTCHA | ||
| Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection. | ||
