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Health

Back pain in pregnancy

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Pain in the lower back during pregnancy can occur at any time, while the pain may differ in nature and intensity. Closer to the onset of labor, such pain can result from the fact that the baby's head puts pressure on the lumbar region of the spine. An alarm sign for low back pain is premature shortening of the cervix and the opening of its throat. Pain in the lower back in the third trimester of pregnancy occurs in about half the cases. Often, it is caused by increased strain on the lumbar region and a weakened abdominal muscles as a result of their stretching. There is such pain, as a rule, on late terms and passes already after sorts. Pain syndrome can increase after physical activity, a long stay in a standing position or in one position, and also cover the lower extremities. In connection with the softening of ligaments, pain can be felt in the area of the pubis, thighs, hip joints. To alleviate the condition of pregnant women, it is recommended to balance the diet, enter into the diet of calcium-rich foods, nuts, fish, parsley, dill, etc. With regular pain, you can use calcium salt of lactic acid or calcium carbonate. Pregnant should limit the load on the lumbar region, it is not recommended to bend over so as not to strain the lower back. Sitting on a chair, it is desirable to lean back, sleep better on a semi-rigid surface, you can not wear shoes with high heels. Positive effect with low back pain is provided by light gymnastics, physiotherapy exercises. The complex of procedures should be selected by the doctor, taking into account the nature of complaints and the general symptoms of the disease.

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What can cause low back pain during pregnancy?

Radiculitis and osteochondrosis

The cause of low back pain may be radiculitis or osteochondrosis of the lumbar region. The treatment of such diseases during pregnancy is complicated by the fact that many drugs for pregnant women are undesirable to take because of the risk of negative effects on the fetus. With symptoms of sciatica or osteochondrosis, women need to minimize physical exertion, it is desirable to be at rest, it is possible to use anesthetic and warming ointments strictly according to the doctor's prescription. To avoid the disease before and during pregnancy, you should not allow weight lifting, hypothermia, physical overload.

Symphysite

Because of hormonal failure and lack of calcium in the body of a pregnant woman, in particular, under the influence of the hormone relaxin, softening of bone tissues and stretching in the pubic region can occur. This process during pregnancy is completely normal, however, with pronounced puffiness and a strong stretching of the lonnous articulation, speech can go about such a disorder as a symphysitis. There is an opinion that hereditary predisposition and malfunctions in the work of the musculoskeletal system can also influence its development. With symphysitis, the pain syndrome is felt during palpation of the pubic joint, it can spread into the groin, thighs, pelvis and waist. The woman has a tumbling gait, in the position lying on her back it becomes very difficult to straighten her legs, and there are also difficulties when climbing the stairs. If the disease worsens directly during the birth process, the question of conducting a cesarean section may arise. Completely get rid of this disease during pregnancy is unlikely, but there are several ways to alleviate his symptoms. In the first and second trimester of pregnancy, women are prescribed calcium preparations and vitamin-mineral complexes. In some cases, the administration of anti-inflammatory drugs is possible. Most likely, it will be necessary to wear a bandage, physical overload should not be allowed, only special strengthening exercises can be performed. With symphysitis it is undesirable to sit or lie on hard surfaces, and also stay in the sitting position for more than one hour, stand for long, walk on the steps.

Kidney Diseases

During pregnancy, back pain may be the result of kidney disease. With pyelonephritis, deposition of stones, glomerulonephritis, pain can be irradiated in the lower back. Concomitant symptoms with this may be problems with urination, rezi, decrease in the amount of urine, the allocation of concrements. Diagnosis of the disease with this necessarily includes such procedures as blood and urine tests, ultrasound examination, palpation of the painful area.

False bouts

Pain in the lower back during pregnancy can occur with Braxton-Hicks syndrome. These so-called false fights can occur in a woman after twenty weeks of pregnancy. It should be borne in mind that false bouts are not accompanied by the opening of the cervix. If the estimated term of labor has not yet come, the alarming symptoms are vaginal discharge, pain from below the abdomen, a short interval between contractions. In this case, there may be a risk of termination of pregnancy. Therefore, it is extremely important for any symptoms to contact the doctor immediately. False bouts happen rarely and are not regular. Uterine contractions can last about sixty seconds and do not cause pain as such. Why such symptoms arise, remains to the end not investigated. One of the reasons doctors call excessive excitability of the uterus.

Hypertension of the uterus

Pain in the lower back during pregnancy can occur against the background of hypertension of the uterus, which in turn can be a consequence of hormonal changes in the body and abnormal functioning of the ovaries, as well as excessive production of male sex hormones. The uterus can be in a tonus for diseases of the pelvic organs of an inflammatory nature, as well as in the presence of tumors, for example, with uterine myomas. Provoke a condition such as hypertension of the uterus can stress and depressive conditions during pregnancy. The main symptoms of this disorder are pain in the pubic region, dilating pain in the lower abdomen, drawing pain in the lower back. In the treatment of hypertension, the emotional stress factor must first be eliminated, bed rest should be observed, one should not be nervous and worried. From medicamental agents, the administration of antispasmodics is possible.

Inflammation of appendages

Irradiation of low back pain during pregnancy can occur with inflammation of the uterine appendages. In this case, a woman may be troubled by lower abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vaginal discharge, chills. There may also be an asymptomatic course of the disease. Treatment of adnexitis (inflammation of the uterine appendages) includes the carrying out of antibacterial and antiviral therapy strictly according to the indications and prescription of the doctor, since many medications to pregnant women are contraindicated, as well as the elimination of hypothermia.

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