Low Back Pain During Pregnancy

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Low back pain during pregnancy

Content:

• Causes of low back pain during pregnancy
• Kidney disease is the second cause of back pain
• Diagnostics
• Treatment of low back pain during pregnancy
• Prevention of low back pain during pregnancy

Low back pain is extremely common for women in early pregnancy. Usually by the twentieth week of pregnancy, it passes, but before that it manages to bring expectant mothers a lot of inconvenience and anxiety. What should you know about lower back pain during pregnancy?

First of all, it is due to the softening of the ligaments that support the spinal discs. This is due to an increase in the body's progesterone, a hormone produced by the placenta. The pain occurs as the baby grows and develops, changing the center of gravity of its mother's abdomen. In addition, any infectious disease of the bladder or kidneys, sprains or a number of neurological diseases (sciatica, herniated disc, etc.) can cause back pain during pregnancy.

Causes of low back pain during pregnancy

The most common cause of back pain is natural changes in a woman's body during pregnancy. Pain in the lumbar spine begins more often in the second trimester. This is due to the increase in the woman's body weight and the proliferation of the fetus.

The most common symptoms may include the following:

• Aching and stitching pains in the lumbar and often thoracic spine. What happens due to increased body weight;
• Pain bothers a woman during physical exertion, and in the last months of pregnancy appear at rest, often occur at night.

Along with this, large joints of the extremities begin to hurt: hip, knee. Unfortunately, these physiological changes cannot be cured. According to the doctors, everything will be over after only 9 months, so you should be patient and wait. Some pain medications can provide temporary relief. But since their number is extremely small, only a doctor will advise about the possibility of their use. Caution! Osteochondrosis This is one of the most common diseases of the spine of our time.

Osteochondrosis affects about 80% of the adult population of the planet.

Osteochondrosis is understood as degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs, more often in the lumbar spine, which is manifested by pain in the affected area and is accompanied by neurological disorders. Changes in the disks begin as a result of a power failure of these elements.

It is not surprising that this particular pathology is more often found in women. They are more prone to this process as they wear high-heeled shoes for more than eight hours a day.

The most common female professions in which this disease develops are salespeople, accountants, and doctors. It is the work of such specialists that is associated with additional stress on the spine.

Pregnancy is a predisposing factor in the development of this pathology. Especially multiple pregnancies, when the expectant mother has to carry two or three or more babies, while gaining extra pounds. The disease has become significantly younger over the past decades, which is associated with a decrease in the number of exercises and purposeful work on the body. Perhaps, to a lesser extent, the aggravation of this process can be attributed to young pregnant women.

But already approaching 30-35 years old, it worries almost every woman to one degree or another. Pregnancy accelerates changes in the spine, and in older women who are carrying a child, an exacerbation of the process is often observed. It is more difficult for women who decide to give birth at the age of 35-40 years. They can feel all the unpleasant moments of the disease, pains of varying intensity in the back, which intensify with exertion. They often give in the leg, they can change when changing position.

There is no relief from taking regular pain relievers. Any anti-inflammatory drug has a negative effect on the fetus, so doctors do not recommend self-medication. Inpatient treatment is recommended for pregnant women with exacerbation of lumbar osteochondrosis and persistent pain.

Kidney disease is the second cause of lower back pain during pregnancy

Another group of diseases that can be detected in a pregnant woman or worsened during pregnancy. Back pain can give urolithiasis and pyelonephritis.

Pyelonephritis

This is an infectious and inflammatory lesion of the mucous membrane of the urinary system (calyces and pelvis, and often kidney tissue). Pregnant women are also susceptible to this inflammation.

Unlike osteochondrosis, this process is characterized by:

• Temperature rise, up to 38-39 ° for several days. Pain in the lumbar region and abdomen.
• Violation of urination. Chronic pyelonephritis may worsen without fever.

In severe cases, the temperature is accompanied by nausea and vomiting. To diagnose the disease, it is enough to pass a general blood test. This is the most informative research method. A small amount of protein appears in the urine, the content of leukocytes increases, and blood cells may be present. The disease requires adherence to a special high-calorie diet with the presence of a sufficient amount of fluid.

From the first day of treatment, antibacterial drugs are prescribed in a long course. In severe cases, hospitalization is indicated. Kidney stones The appearance of kidney stones is usually not noticed by patients. They can grow to enormous sizes without significantly altering a woman's well-being. But as soon as the stones begin to move, it is felt in the form of severe pain. They are spilled in nature.

Pains are localized more often in the lumbar region. Do not depend on the time of day. The process is aggravated after an error in the diet, with sudden movements.

In the general analysis of urine, blood cells appear, which should not normally be present. A study method such as ultrasound of the kidneys helps to diagnose. It is this that makes it possible to see calculi in the kidneys of a pregnant woman and understand the cause of pain. Each of the above diseases not only causes inconvenience to a pregnant woman, but also worsens the course of pregnancy. To prevent the disease from leading to undesirable consequences, it is important to be monitored by doctors in a timely manner.

Diagnostics

It is important for every expectant mother to find out the reasons why the lower back hurts. When the first pains appear, and they usually begin from the 20th week of pregnancy, it is necessary to consult a specialist - an obstetrician-gynecologist. A doctor for accurate diagnosis and correct diagnosis is prescribed: ultrasound, urine and blood tests in laboratory conditions. Additional consultation with a narrow specialist (neurologist, urologist, vertebrologist or gastroenterologist) is possible. Then you can prescribe timely treatment.

Treatment of low back pain during pregnancy

Treatment of lower back pain during pregnancy directly depends on the reasons that caused it:

Neurological diseases (sciatica, herniated disc) are usually manifested by aching pain, numbness, tingling. Sometimes the pain can spread to the entire back or to the buttocks. For treatment, pain relieving agents can be used. Physical therapy, wearing a soft corset or bandage is also recommended.

Kidney disease that causes lower back pain is accompanied by symptoms such as swelling, fever, headache, and high blood pressure. The woman has frequent urination, urine is dark, cloudy. These clinical manifestations should serve as a signal for the need for immediate medical attention. Most often, patients are diagnosed with pyelonephritis - an infectious inflammation of the renal tissue. Treatment takes place under the supervision of doctors, in a hospital. A dismissive attitude towards such symptoms is extremely dangerous for the health and life of the fetus and woman.

Urolithiasis is manifested by severe cramping pain in the lower back (renal colic). Pain is also accompanied by urination, when stones damage the ureters, passing through them. Treatment includes constant observation by a doctor, adherence to a special diet, taking antispasmodics and pain medications.

Braxton-Hicks false contractions are a special syndrome characterized by recurrent back pain and a feeling of tension in the uterus. In the later stages, these symptoms can be considered as preparing the body for childbirth. But if they occur before 37 weeks of pregnancy, accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen or vaginal discharge, you should immediately consult a doctor, because this can mean a serious threat of pregnancy failure.

Prevention of low back pain during pregnancy

The best way to prevent low back pain during pregnancy is exercise and strengthening exercises. You should start training as early as possible: this way you will strengthen the necessary muscle groups, which will significantly reduce the likelihood of back pain. Physical education will also prepare you for a safe childbirth, help make attempts easier.

Posture is an important factor in the occurrence of back pain in pregnant women, especially in early pregnancy. Pay attention to how you walk and sit, try to keep your back straight and not slouch. So you will save yourself from the appearance of unpleasant sensations.

It is also very important to sleep well and rest, trying to avoid stress, because nervous tension and anxiety only aggravate the course of any disease, including lower back pain.

In recent years, yoga for pregnant women has been gaining popularity, significantly alleviating pain and strengthening all major muscle groups. For treatment and prevention, massage and physiotherapy are also used.

Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist

Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".