Back Pain in Pregnancy - Causes and Risks

Back pain in pregnancy can make your whole world seem aching and gloomy. Though a common pregnancy feature, it can be very irritating most of the times. To help it cure properly let us first understand its reasons or better consult with one of the best neurosurgeons in Chennai.

Weight Gain During pregnancy a woman's body weight may increase as much as by 25%, putting additional stress on the back, joints and belly muscles. Since the overstretched abdominal muscles are also not equipped to handle the entire weight of the uterus, the spine and back muscles bear the brunt for it.

Hormonal Influx Relaxin and estrogen hormones are released during pregnancy that allows ligaments in the pelvic area to soften and the joints to loosen in preparation for the process of birth. This changes the whole weight balance equation of your body and additional strain is placed on the spine and surrounding muscles.

Change In Body's Center Of Gravity As the baby grows and the uterus bulges forward, your center of gravity also shifts forward and this changes your posture. This creates muscular imbalances and puts strain on the spine and pelvis. The problem aggravates if you already suffer from muscle weakness and inflexibility.

Body Posture Poor posture puts unwanted stain on an already aching back and worsens the recovery process. Long hours of standing, bending over or carrying a toddler can escalate the pain.

Stress Stress always aggrieves the physical pain as it finds the weak spot in the body. Pregnancy related anxiety and depression can also be the cause of your back pain in pregnancy. The weight gain and shift in center of gravity results in changes in your pelvic area and you may experience an onset of back pain during stressful periods of your pregnancy.

Already A Mother If you have experienced child birth before, it can further add to your distress.

There are two main reasons for it:

• During a second pregnancy, mothers tend to experience all pregnancy symptoms a bit earlier.
• Taking care of your older child will cause additional stress and work, giving rise to more strain on your back.

Apart from all this there are some factors increasing the risk of back pain in pregnancy too:

• Physically strenuous work
• Lifting, bending and child care
• A history of low back pain prior to pregnancy
• Being overweight
• Old injuries, such as a previous fractured ankle or slipped disc

So take care of your back before the onset of back pain in pregnancy. Consult your doctor about any new symptoms you encounter during pregnancy.