Pregnancy and back pain

Some jobs favor this pain, such as those that involve greater physical effort, women who must stand or those who sit for many hours in the same position without having the facility to move from time to time.

What are low back pain and sciatica?

Low back pain is back pain at the level of the kidneys, since it is the level of the lumbar vertebrae. It may or may not be accompanied by sciatica depending on whether the pain radiates down the back of the legs.

Causes of low back pain in pregnancy

Back pain is very typical of pregnancy. The growth of the womb produces more work on the muscles and a greater pressure on the joints. The greater volume of the abdomen causes hyperlordosis, that is, a more pronounced curvature of the lower back area forwards. This shifts the center of gravity forward and the muscles on the sides of the spine work harder to compensate. The muscles of the abdomen are more distended so they cannot work as well as usual.

Sciatica is the radiation of pain down the back of the thigh and can reach the foot. It is the sensation like a prick or cramp behind the leg and that can be accompanied by loss of strength in the leg. This pain is caused by compression of the sciatic nerve as it exits the spine in the sacral area. This pain can be very intense and disabling. Sciatica is sometimes felt as severe pain deep in the buttock.

What is back pain and what are its causes?

When this pain occurs in the upper part of the back, it is called back pain, since this is the area of ​​the dorsal vertebrae. The same rectification of the spine reaches the upper part of it and therefore alters the normal work of the muscles. The upper back muscles contract to try to compensate for the excessive lumbar curvature.

What is intercostal neuritis?

The intercostal nerves, as their name suggests, are located in the space between the ribs. At the end of pregnancy, the volume of the uterus in the abdomen leaves little space for the structures that are usually in this area, such as the intestines, stomach, liver ... This lack of space causes the rib cage to enlarge a little and therefore the ribs open more and the space between them also. This can put pressure on the intercostal nerves and produces typical pain in the lower ribs, more common on the right side because of the greater volume of the liver than the stomach on the left.

What can I do to improve the pain?

In pregnancy we can try to relieve back pain, but since we cannot treat the cause of it, it is difficult to find a definitive solution.

• Heat usually relieves discomfort as it is a muscle relaxant and therefore fights muscle contractures. It can be applied both with a hot mat or a hot water bottle as well as with hot water baths. If this does not work, massage by a specialist also helps to relax the muscles.
• Doing a gentle exercise with stretching of the muscles such as yoga or usually helps to relax the muscles and improve the position of the back.
• Back position correction needs to be done, so women who work long hours sitting should use a small footrest to slightly correct lordosis. The chair should be comfortable and if necessary, use a cushion.
• To walk it is better not to wear flat or high-heeled shoes, but rather one with a 2-3 cm heel that will reduce tension in the lower back.

It is important to carry out a good follow-up during pregnancy. It is also useful to have a Family Planning and Pregnancy Care program such as that offered by MAPFRE to its insured persons for free at the specialized medical centers included in its medical guide.

• Approximately 70% of pregnant women suffer from back pain, especially in late pregnancy.
• In pregnancy, you can try to relieve back pain, but since you cannot treat the cause of it, it is difficult to find a definitive solution.
• Heat usually relieves pain, as well as gentle exercise such as yoga or Pilates.

Specialist in gynecology and obstetrics