Pregnancy is an important but health-sensitive event for every woman. During pregnancy due to the growing foetus in the womb and changes in hormonal levels various physical, nutritious and emotional changes occur to somewhat inconvenience and cause mild problems in every woman during this period.

Nausea, (morning sickness) during the early part of pregnancy is thought to be a sign of pregnancy.

Back pain is very common too. As women gain weight, walk, sit and work in a new ways, various hormones secreted during pregnancy relax the muscles and tendons. All these can lead to back pain. Back pain usually occurs in the latter half of pregnancy. It is normally mild and bearable, but in about 10 to 15 per cent cases it may be severe.

Who are likely to suffer from severe backache?

• In women suffering from backache before getting pregnant, the backache may become severe and unbearable.
• Women who have suffered from backache in a previous pregnancy are also likely to suffer from backache in a subsequent pregnancy too.
• It is more likely to occur in older pregnant women and women with many children.
• Back pain may be more severe in obese pregnant women.
• Severe backache can occur if deficiency of calcium and/or vitamin D is present or the women are suffering from anaemia.
• Back pain may be severe in women whose job requires tilting, lifting weights or twisting too often.
• Backache is more common if they are tensed and worry too much.
• It is also common in women who smoke or consume tobacco.

Why backache during pregnancy:

Due to the growing foetus in the womb, hormonal secretions mechanical and structural changes occur in the body, and the spine and lower spine are pushed forward due to increased body weight and abdominal protuberance because of the effect of hormones joint tendons which become lax, and the accumulation of water in the body and joints that occurs. Veins in the vertibial space (epidusal veins) enlarge. All these factors lead to backache during pregnancy.

How to get relief from backache:

Back pain is not a trivial concern for many pregnant women. It should be promptly dealt with at an early stage.

Pregnant women should keep a proper posture while lying, sitting, standing walking and during work. They should sleep on one side and give support to their knees and abdomen by pillows. When sitting they must give support to their back with proper chairs and can use a small pillow for support. When standing they must stand straight and should stretch the back by keeping both hands in at the back.

If supposed to stand for a long time they should keep one leg slightly raised and change the legs from time to time. They must take frequent breaks and rest. They should hold their chest high, keep shoulders straight and relaxed and not look towards their knees. When standing they must take a comfortably wide stance for better support to their bodies and when sitting, keep their upper back and neck straight, and legs on a low stool.

They should sleep on their side, keeping one or both knees bent. One can keep a thin pillow between two knees and another under the abdomen.

Such women must wear low heeled shoes with good arch support. Women suffering from backache can wear maternity pants with low supporters or wear a maternity support belt.

When lifting a small object they should squat and lift the object by giving support with the legs. They must not bend back or lift objects by giving pressure on the back. Pregnant women must be aware of their limits, how much load they can lift and carry very safely. They should ask for support from others to carry or lift weights when needed without hesitation. Women should remain active in daily routine. Regular physical activities can keep the back strong and even relieve backache during pregnancy.

Pregnant women can do light exercises like walking and swimming. They can also do other exercises in the lying or sitting positions after consulting physiotherapist. Yogic exercises are also a good way to get relief from backache but it should be performed after consulting a yoga teacher and under his or her direction only. Pregnant women should take brief periods of rest in the day and an afternoon nap.

Heat fomentation or cold fomentation and massage of the back also give relief from backache. So stretch the lower back, rest on your hands and knees and keep your head in line with your back. Pull in your stomach slightly. Hold for seven seconds, and then relax our stomach and back. Keep the back as flat as possible, and slowly and gently repeat the exercise 10 times.

Pregnant women should not smoke or use tobacco. Women should eat enough of a balanced diet containing sufficient amounts of vitamin D and calcium. If deficiency is suspected, they should consume calcium tablets. To get enough vitamin D, they should have a sunbath for 10 to 20 minutes daily so that vitamin D can be formed in the skin by the action of the ultraviolet rays of the sun.

Pain killers should be avoided as far as possible during pregnancy. If unavoidable they should consume them after consulting a doctor. Pregnant women suffering from backache can try acupuncture/acupressure to get relief. Perhaps these are safer methods.

Also, pregnant women must keep in mind that a low dull backache might be a sign of preterm labour and severe pain in the back with vaginal bleeding discharge could indicate serious problems that need prompt attention and a doctor should be consulted immediately.

Backache is quite common during pregnancy and sometimes it may be a disability. To get rid of backache, they must change their lifestyles and should keep proper posture, take adequate rest and also do exercises under the guidance of an expert and eat a balanced diet.