Pregnancy

Are you experiencing back pain in early pregnancy? You're not alone. Many pregnant people experience this discomfort as their bodies undergo significant changes to accommodate the growing baby.

While it's common to feel some discomfort during pregnancy, experiencing back pain can be worrying and it's important to know what symptoms to watch out for and how to alleviate the pain. In this blog, we'll discuss why back pain occurs in early pregnancy, symptoms to watch out for, and what options are available for safe and effective pain relief.

So, let's get started.

Back pain in early pregnancy: Why does it happen?

Back pain is a common first trimester symptom and there are a few reasons why it happens. Let's run through the causes of pregnancy back pain one by one.

• Ligaments are stretching: During pregnancy, your body goes through a lot of changes and a hormone called relaxin is produced by the ovaries and placenta. This hormone makes your ligaments stretch and soften to prepare for labour, and this can put a strain on the joints in your pelvis and lower back.
• Increase in hormones: Relaxin isn't the only hormone that increases during pregnancy. Progesterone can also relax ligaments in preparation for growing the baby and labour, leading to back aches.  
• Your uterus expands in size: As soon as implantation happens your uterus begins expanding, this puts pressure on your pelvic bone which in turn increases pressure on your bladder, bowel, and lower back.
• Stress: The stresses of early pregnancy (worrying about the baby and dealing with morning sickness etc...) can cause muscle tightness - resulting in a sore back.

Is backache common in early pregnancy?

Yes, backache is a pretty common pregnancy symptom.

Two-thirds of pregnant people experience lower back pain in pregnancy due to weight gain, posture changes and a shifting centre of gravity all put a strain on the back and pelvis.

When does back pain start in pregnancy?

Back pain can start in pregnancy at any time. Some people experience it during the first trimester, but it's also common in the later stages of pregnancy as the weight of the baby puts more pressure on the lower back.

When should I see a doctor about backache in early pregnancy?

When you're pregnant, anything that feels out of the ordinary can be worrying, so you should always see your doctor or check in with their midwife if you're concerned, especially if you are: 

• experiencing backache along with a fever, bleeding, or a burning sensation while urinating.
• experiencing any pain under the ribs on one or both sides. This can be a sign of pre-eclampsia.
• in your second or third trimester and experiencing painful back aches. This could be a sign of early labour.

If you are really struggling with back pain, your doctor may refer you to a physiotherapist.

Sources

• Stomach pain in pregnancy - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• Back pain in pregnancy - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• Back pain in pregnancy | Pregnancy, Worries and discomforts articles & support | NCT
• Interventions for preventing and treating pelvic and back pain in pregnancy - PubMed (nih.gov)