It’s common to have back pain during pregnancy. In fact, studies suggest that around 2 in 3 people will develop some type of back pain while pregnant.
It’s common to have back pain during pregnancy. In fact, studies suggest that around 2 in 3 people will develop some type of back pain while pregnant.
And even though it can happen at any point in your pregnancy, it's especially common during the early stages.
A combination of normal changes to your body, like extra weight from having a baby in your tummy, and stretching of ligaments, can lead to backache during pregnancy.
Most of the time, the pain is nothing to worry about, but it can sometimes be a sign of a medical complication. See a doctor or speak to your midwife immediately if:
If you have back pain that doesn’t need medical attention, there are a few things you can do to manage the pain and reduce the risk of it coming back. But to do so, it helps to first understand why you may develop back pain during pregnancy.
When you're pregnant, your body makes a hormone called relaxin to help prepare you for labour. It makes the ligaments in your pelvis (the area between your tummy and your legs) to relax and the joints to become more mobile. But while this is good for childbirth, it can lead to back pain.
Relaxin isn’t the only cause of back pain during pregnancy, your growing baby also plays a part.
It’s common to gain between 10kg to 12.5kg (22 to 26lb) during a healthy pregnancy. This extra weight can put added stress on your joints and muscles, which may cause back pain.
There are a few more reasons why you may get backache while pregnant, including:
But back pain in pregnancy isn’t always due to these changes. As you get closer to the end of your pregnancy, back pain can be a sign of early labour and may feel like period pain cramps or a low, dull ache.
If this happens, call your midwife or maternity unit immediately.
There are lots of changes you can make to help manage and reduce back pain while you're pregnant. You can:
It’s usually safe to take simple painkillers like paracetamol while you’re pregnant, but check with a pharmacist or doctor first. They can advise you on how to safely get and use these medicines.
If you do decide to take painkillers, always follow the instructions on the packet.
If you’ve had back pain during your pregnancy, it’s worth looking after and strengthening it after you've had your baby. This is particularly important as lifting and carrying your baby may put further strain on your back.
Activities like swimming and walking can help to support your spine properly. They can also reduce back pain by strengthening your muscles. You can also try muscle-strengthening exercises such as abdominal curls and pelvic tilts.
See a doctor before starting back exercises and be gentle with yourself. If an exercise causes or increases your pain, stop.
It can take a few weeks or months for back pain to get better, but it usually does in time. But,
.Important: Our website provides useful information but is not a substitute for medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your doctor when making decisions about your health.