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Pain in the bones during pregnancy
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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With the onset of pregnancy and until the time of delivery, the female body has to face various difficulties, unpleasant sensations and pains. Every day brings new experiences and fears. The longer the gestation period, the more alertness, because any manifestation of unpleasant sensations can become a signal that the baby has decided to be born. Pain in the bones during pregnancy, especially in later periods, is just the time when you need to pay special attention to the behavior of the baby in the womb.
The anatomical structure of a woman fully corresponds to all those changes that lead to pregnancy. The bone skeleton, in those places where it has been immovable for a long time, becomes more plastic and the bones are able to slightly "move apart", in order to release the birth canal for sparing the passage of the fetus through them. Basically we are talking about pelvic bones. In those moments when the bones begin their "movement" there is pain. But this, alas, is not the only reason.
Causes of bone pain during pregnancy
For a start, let's name the most common causes, which can result in pain in the bones during pregnancy, and then we will examine each separately.
- a large, constantly increasing load on the musculoskeletal system;
- organic disorders in the structure of bone tissue - osteomalacia;
- chronic diseases of bones and joints;
- symphysiopathy - the divergence of the pubic bones.
Here are the most common causes of pain in the bones of pregnant women. But, as was said, not all. Individual structure, the presence of various kinds of injuries, complications after the transferred infectious diseases leave after themselves consequences which can further cause pain in the bones during pregnancy. Now consider each of the above reasons separately.
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High burden on the locomotor system
The more weight, the higher the load on the locomotor system: bones, muscles, ligaments and joints. Suffer, in the first place, the spine, pelvic bones and joints of the lower extremities. Pregnant women gain weight weekly, in some cases, daily. Ladies in "position" become heavy, a little lazy, preferring to lie down or sit. This behavior relaxes the muscles. Pain in the bones during pregnancy occurs during walking, when the pressure on the joints of the lower limbs is increased several times. Suffering intervertebral discs, in turn, give pain in the back.
Preventing the occurrence of pain in the bones with excess weight
Avoid weight gain during pregnancy is not possible, but to take precautions that will avoid the occurrence of pain in the bones, it is very possible for any woman. If you are planning a pregnancy in advance, it is advisable to pay special attention to training the muscles of the back and legs. Correct posture is an indicator of strong, trained spinal muscles. Having a strong muscular skeleton the body is able to withstand the increase in body weight to 10-30 kg without problems.
Sports, especially all kinds of swimming, perfectly strengthen the muscles of the hands, feet, the press and the small pelvis. Women who lead an active lifestyle, eat a healthy, balanced food, rich in vitamins and fiber, as practice shows, are much less likely to experience pain in the bones during pregnancy.
Not having the proper physical preparation can be a pregnant woman to keep the muscles in working order. To do this, you must avoid a sedentary lifestyle, walk more, move. If the situation allows, after consulting a doctor, visit the swimming pool. Swimming exercises will improve blood circulation, help to relieve fatigue from muscles, and with it painful symptoms will also disappear.
Osteomalacia
Osteomalacia is called "adult rickets" in a different way. The fact is that violations in the structure of bone tissue begin because of a lack of vitamin D, because this particular vitamin contributes to the full process of mineralization of bone tissue and assimilation of calcium as a building element.
When forming the skeleton of a child, the missing calcium "gets" from the body of the mother, which leads to the appearance of brittle bones of a woman. With osteomalacia of severe form, the bones become so fragile that they are able to break down, unable to withstand the weight of the woman. In such cases, pregnant women are immobilized, it is very difficult and painful for them to accept the vertical position of the body. Pregnancy in such cases is contraindicated, and if it is available, an interruption is recommended.
Prevention of osteomalacia
Pain in the bones during pregnancy, which occurs as a result of osteomalacia, should be removed only under the strict supervision of a doctor. Pick up at home the right amount of extra calcium, which is prescribed either in special vitamin complexes, or as an independent drug, is impossible. Do not forget about vitamin D, without the introduction of an additional amount of this microelement in the body, calcium can not be absorbed. In addition, to remove the pain completely does not work. With the help of drugs, the level of calcium in the body is maintained within the limits of the norm. The pain will only pass after childbirth.
Proper nutrition, containing in the diet products with a high content of calcium, vitamin balanced complexes and walks in the fresh air will reduce decalcification, and sun baths contribute to the natural formation of vitamin D.
Chronic diseases of bones and joints
Long to dwell on this reason there is no point. And so it is clear that the presence in an anamnesis of a pregnant woman of serious injuries or chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal, as well as the joint-muscular system, will certainly affect her health. Pain in the bones during pregnancy can be triggered by rheumatoid arthritis or coxarthrosis. It is completely unjustified to manifest independence when pain occurs. In addition to harm to your own body, you can cause significant damage to the child. Many anti-inflammatory and anesthetic drugs can make destructive changes in the development of the fetus. Therefore, with any painful sensations, any degree and in any place of localization, it is absolutely necessary to be sent for consultation to the attending doctor.
Symphysiopathy
The discrepancy of the pubic bones leads to intense pain in the bones during pregnancy. And the pain is caused not only by movement, but also during a touch to the pubic region. In a normal, not pregnant state of the body, the lone articulation is absolutely immobile. With the onset of pregnancy, more precisely, its late terms, pubic bones begin their "movement", thus expanding the ancestral ways before the forthcoming birth. The pubic bone diverges not by much, no more than 10 mm., But it is enough to cause considerable painful sensations.
In the presence of symphysiopathy (symphysis), in the prone position it is absolutely impossible to raise the leg, this is one of the bright, characteristic signs of the development of this pathology. The second sign that the pubic bones came into motion is a "duck walk". The gait of many pregnant women resembles the gait of a duck, when moving, the woman, as it were, swings from side to side. Pain in the bones during pregnancy can be quite strong, so the gait and acquires a similar nature, because of avoiding strong painful sensations. You can even say that this is a gentle mode of gait. So, if such a gait is found, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor, for examination, for advice and for receiving further recommendations.
Symphyopathy can have severe forms, although extremely rare. If the lonnoy articulation is predisposed to severe deformity, then a decision is made to conduct a caesarean section, otherwise the birth will, in the usual way, bring the female organism the most severe complications with a subsequent long recovery period.
Prevention of symphysiopathy
As such, preventive measures or precautions that exclude further development of symphysiopathy do not exist. A healthy, fully developed organism of a woman is able to cope on its own with all the difficulties of the pregnancy period. There are some recommendations that will reduce the pain in the bones during pregnancy, if it is caused by the divergence of the pubic bones. Be sure to wear a bandage, especially on later terms of pregnancy. The bandage will take up most of the load, thereby relieving, to some extent, the pressure of the joint. Limitation of heavy physical exertion is indicated for any manifestation of pain.