Pregnancy

Back pain and pregnancy

Derek Semp

For many women, back pain and pregnancy go hand in hand and not surprisingly, there are a number of physical reasons why it occurs. This article will look at some of them.
1. Hormones. During pregnancy, hormones can soften ligaments causing more movement in the joints than usual and in some cases, the ligaments are stretched or strained.
2. Uterus. The growing fetus in the uterus can cause changes in posture which result in lower back pain. As the entire area enlarges, pressure is put on the spine and vertebra.
3. Position of fetus. Especially in the later stages of development, the position of the fetus can compress nerves in the spinal column, causing back pain.

Once you have determined which of the physical reasons is causing your back pain, there are some steps you can take to lessen the pain and in some cases eliminate the problem. The most important thing to remember is that the body changes during pregnancy and that some simple strategies can go a long way to keeping those changes in check.