Bone pain in pregnancy

From the onset of pregnancy until the moment of delivery, the female body has to face various difficulties, unpleasant sensations and pains. Every day brings new experiences and fears. The longer the pregnancy, the greater the alertness, because any manifestation of unpleasant sensations can be a signal that the baby has decided to be born. Bone pain during pregnancy, especially in the later stages, is exactly the moment when it is necessary to pay special attention to the behavior of the baby in the womb.

The anatomical structure of a woman fully corresponds to all the changes that pregnancy entails. The bone skeleton, in those places where it was motionless for a long time, becomes more flexible and the bones are able to slightly "move apart" in order to free the birth canal for the gentle passage of the fetus through them. Basically, we are talking about the pelvic bones. At those moments when the bones begin their "movement" pain appears. But this, alas, is not the only reason.

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Causes of Bone Pain During Pregnancy

To begin with, let's name the most common reasons that can result in bone pain during pregnancy, and then we'll look at each one separately.

• large, constantly increasing load on the musculoskeletal system;
• organic disorders in the structure of bone tissue – osteomalacia;
• chronic diseases of bones and joints;
• symphysiopathy - divergence of the pubic bones.

These are the most common causes of painful sensations in the bones of pregnant women. But, as has been said, not all of them. Individual structure, the presence of various types of injuries, complications after infectious diseases leave behind consequences that can subsequently cause pain in the bones during pregnancy. Now let's consider each of the above reasons separately.

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Heavy load on the musculoskeletal system

The more weight, the higher the load on the musculoskeletal system: bones, muscles, ligaments and joints. The spine, pelvic bones and joints of the lower extremities suffer first. Pregnant women gain weight weekly, in some cases even daily. Ladies in the "position" become heavy, a little lazy, preferring to lie down or sit. Such behavior relaxes the muscles. Bone pain during pregnancy occurs during walking, when the pressure on the joints of the lower extremities increases several times. Suffering intervertebral discs, in turn, cause back pain.

Prevention of bone pain due to excess weight

It is impossible to avoid weight gain during pregnancy, but taking precautions that will help avoid bone pain is quite possible for any woman. If you are planning your pregnancy in advance, it is advisable to pay special attention to training your back and leg muscles. Correct posture is an indicator of strong, trained back muscles. Having a strong muscle frame, the body is able to easily withstand an increase in body weight of up to 10-30 kg.

Sports, especially all types of swimming, are excellent for strengthening the muscles of the arms, legs, abs and pelvis. Women who lead an active lifestyle, eat healthy, balanced food rich in vitamins and fiber, as practice shows, experience bone pain during pregnancy much less often.

Without proper physical training, you can maintain your muscles in working condition while pregnant. To do this, you need to avoid a sedentary lifestyle, walk more, move. If your situation allows, after consulting with your doctor, visit the pool. Swimming exercises will improve blood circulation, help relieve muscle fatigue, and with it, painful symptoms will go away.

Osteomalacia

Osteomalacia is also called "adult rickets". The fact is that disturbances in the structure of bone tissue begin due to a lack of vitamin D, because it is this vitamin that promotes the full process of mineralization of bone tissue and the absorption of calcium as a building element.

When the baby's skeleton is being formed, the missing calcium is "taken" from the mother's body, which leads to the woman's bones becoming brittle. In severe osteomalacia, the bones become so brittle that they can break, unable to bear the woman's weight. In such cases, pregnant women are immobilized, and it is very difficult and painful for them to take a vertical position. Pregnancy in such cases is contraindicated, and if it occurs, termination is recommended.

Prevention of osteomalacia

Bone pain during pregnancy, which occurs as a result of osteomalacia, should be relieved only under strict medical supervision. It is impossible to select the required amount of additional calcium at home, which is prescribed either in special vitamin complexes or as an independent drug. Do not forget about vitamin D, without introducing an additional amount of this microelement into the body, the calcium consumed will not be able to be absorbed. In addition, it will not be possible to relieve the pain completely. With the help of drugs, the calcium level in the body is maintained within the normal range. The pain will go away only after childbirth.

Proper nutrition, including foods high in calcium, balanced vitamin complexes and walks in the fresh air will reduce decalcification, and sunbathing will promote the natural formation of vitamin D.

Chronic diseases of bones and joints

There is no point in dwelling on this reason for long. It is clear that the presence of severe injuries or chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, as well as the articular-muscular system, in the medical history of a pregnant woman will certainly affect her well-being. Bone pain during pregnancy can be caused by rheumatoid arthritis or coxarthrosis. It is completely unjustified to show independence when pain occurs. In addition to harm to your own body, you can cause significant harm to the child. Many anti-inflammatory and painkillers can cause destructive changes in the development of the fetus. Therefore, with any painful sensations, of any degree and in any place of localization, you should definitely go to the attending physician for a consultation.

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Symphysiopathy

The divergence of the pubic bones causes intense pain in the bones during pregnancy. Moreover, the pain is caused not only by movement, but also when touching the pubic area. In a normal, non-pregnant state of the body, the pubic symphysis is absolutely motionless. With the onset of pregnancy, or rather, its later stages, the pubic bones begin their "movement", thus expanding the birth canal before the upcoming birth. The pubic bones do not diverge much, no more than 10 mm., but this is enough to cause significant painful sensations.

In the presence of symphysiopathy (symphysis - pubic symphysis), it is absolutely impossible to raise a leg in a lying position, this is one of the bright, characteristic signs of the development of this pathology. The second sign that the pubic bones have begun to move is the "duck gait". The gait of many pregnant women resembles the gait of a duck, when, when moving, the woman seems to waddle from side to side. Bone pain during pregnancy can be quite strong, so the gait acquires a similar character, due to the avoidance of strong painful sensations. You can even say that this is a gentle gait regime. So, if such a gait is detected, you must urgently consult a doctor for examination, consultation and further recommendations.

Symphysiopathy can have severe forms, although extremely rare. If the pubic symphysis is predisposed to severe deformation, then a decision is made to perform a cesarean section, otherwise childbirth in the usual way will bring the strongest complications to the female body with a subsequent long period of recovery.

Prevention of symphysiopathy

As such, there are no preventive measures or precautions that would exclude the further development of symphysiopathy. A healthy, fully developed woman's body is able to cope with all the difficulties of the pregnancy period on its own. There are some recommendations that will help reduce bone pain during pregnancy if the cause is the divergence of the pubic bones. Wearing a bandage is mandatory, especially in the later stages of pregnancy. The bandage will take on most of the load, thereby relieving, to some extent, the pubic symphysis from pressure. Limiting heavy physical activity is indicated for any manifestations of pain.