Backache in Early Pregnancy

Pregnancy is indeed the most beautiful phase of a woman's life. Sadly, there are several physical discomforts which deter the woman from enjoying this glorious period of her life. The changes in her body create uncomfortable situations that make her movements difficult. Backache in early pregnancy is one such symptom that troubles women during the early phase of pregnancy. More on pregnancy symptoms.

Backache in Early Pregnancy - Causes
Back pain in early pregnancy is caused due to several reasons. The root cause of backache during early pregnancy is the growing size of the fetus, which puts strain in the body of the woman. Following are the causes for backache during early pregnancy.

• Shift in the Center of Gravity of Body: Pregnancy disrupts the equilibrium of the body, as the stomach tends to grow rapidly. As a result, the center of gravity of the body shifts and the spinal cord has to endure the excess weight of the stomach. The spinal cord cannot bend to support the weight of the stomach, thus resulting in backache. The woman often experiences a downward pull from the front side.
• Stretching of Muscles and Ligaments: During pregnancy, it is common for the body to make arrangements to accommodate the growing fetus. A part of this arrangement includes stretching of muscles and ligaments to support the enlarged uterus. This causes early pregnancy backache in women. It is found that the muscles and ligaments of other parts of the body also grow during pregnancy.
• Lack of Sleep: The enlarged stomach often makes it very uncomfortable for the woman to find the right position for sleeping. The weight of the fetus puts stress on the back, when she tries to lie on her back, while sleeping. Also, the anxiety regarding the pregnancy leads to sleeplessness, which can aggravate the back pain.

Backache in Early Pregnancy - Treatment
Backache in early pregnancy can be reduced to a certain extent with the help of some treatments. These include:

• Compresses: The best and the most effective way of combating backache during early pregnancy is by using hot and cold compresses. They are more effective than hot water baths and are also very safe. Moreover, they are easy to handle and convenient to use.
• Exercising: Often, during a backache in early pregnancy, women stop all the physical activities and resort to bed rest. But one must understand that this can only worsen the pain. Instead, consult your physician and get him to recommend light pregnancy exercises that can provide some relief from the backache. Yoga for pregnant women is considered as an effective way of treating backache in early pregnancy. However, consult an expert before going for it. More on yoga exercises and yoga poses.
• Correct Posture: Maintaining a correct posture throughout pregnancy is the key to reduce backache in early pregnancy. Always walk with your shoulders pulled back. Slouching can make the pain worse. Avoid wearing high heels under all circumstances.
• Sleeping: Make use of special mattresses that are designed to provide comfort for pregnant women. Try sleeping on your side with pillows supporting your belly. Also, place pillows under your knees for extra comfort.

Backache in early pregnancy cannot be completely alleviated. However, you can definitely reduce the pain associated with it by proper combination of rest and exercises. Do not let the annoying backache in early pregnancy, prevent you from enjoying this precious moment of your life.