Every woman will experience some pain during pregnancy and most of the time, it is quite normal. However, there are times when pain can signal a more serious complication which could endanger not only you but also the life of your unborn child. Therefore, it is important to recognize what would be considered abnormal pain during pregnancy so that you can seek proper medical treatment quickly.
A minority of pregnant women may experience symptoms of sciatica during the course of their pregnancy. This stems from inflammation or back pressure which causes pain in the sciatic nerve. Other symptoms include tingling, weakness, backaches, and pain traveling down one leg. There is a common misconception that it is the baby’s weight that puts pressure on a nerve, however sciatica is a disorder which may occur whether the pregnancy exists or not.
Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) is pregnancy-related and may need to be treated differently from standard back pain. A majority of pregnant women who experience back pain during pregnancy suffer from this ailment.
Pain symptoms located around the area of the pubic bone may signal the onset of Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction (SPD). It is advised to consult a qualified physiotherapist well-versed in the area of women’s health to make a correct diagnosis for these conditions.
During the course of pregnancy, the woman might feel various complications that are considered normal when pregnant. Cramps during pregnancy can be mild to severe, depending on the mother’s health status. During the first trimester, women can experience cramps during implantation, which usually happens from eight to ten days after the ovulation period. Another cause for cramps would be the stretching of the uterus. The woman’s body will prepare for the baby by expanding and stretching the uterus, therefore causing mild cramps. Unfortunately, cramps can be accompanied by bleeding or spotting when there is a possibility of a miscarriage. Other causes of cramping during the first trimester would be due to gas pains and constipation, often leading to feelings of discomfort. In the course of the second and third trimester of pregnancy, cramps can also occur during pre-term labor and during early labor. These cramps are often accompanied by back pain.
Abnormal pain during pregnancy can be the result of a variety of things from premature labor to high blood pressure to preeclampsia. Pre-existing health conditions like obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes can also complicate matters. Bleeding during pregnancy is one of those times which warrant an immediate trip to the doctor or hospital. This bleeding can be an indicator to a whole host of health problems from miscarriage to placenta previa to even an ectopic pregnancy.
It is an unfortunate but inevitable fact that a majority of pregnant women will experience back pain at some point in their pregnancy. There are many remedies that can relieve the aches and discomfort of pregnancy, while preventing it from becoming a long-lasting predicament.
Women with pre-existing back pain prior to pregnancy have an easier time adjusting to the discomfort as the pregnancy develops. Proper medical advice and treatment can prevent back pain from becoming a complication when labor occurs.
By making sure the body is fit and healthy before getting pregnant can help prevent back pain. Even if pregnancy has already occurred, keeping fit is still possible through exercise specially tailored for pregnant women (refer to antenatal fitness portion). These exercises can lower the risks of developing pregnancy-related back pain. Women unaccustomed to exercise are advised to take it slow.