• Back pain in pregnancy is highly prevalent 
• It is more common during the early stages of pregnancy 
• The extremity of pain and associated symptoms vary from one woman to another

There are several possible causes of back pain in pregnancy. Common causes include:

Weight gain during pregnancy

On average, an expecting woman gains upto 25-30 pounds in a healthy pregnancy. This extra weight gain during pregnancy can lead to increased back pain as your spine has to support it. 

Changes in your posture

It is natural to experience a shift in your centre of gravity during pregnancy. As your pregnancy progresses, you may unknowingly alter your posture. These persistent posture changes may cause backache. 

Hormonal changes

During pregnancy, your body releases a pregnancy hormone called relaxin. This hormone is responsible for relaxing your pelvis and causing your joints to become looser in preparation effort for childbirth and delivery. This same hormone has a side effect that can cause your spine to become loose leading to pain, discomfort and instability. 

Stress

Pregnancy is not a simple ride. You can expect to experience some levels of emotional and mental stress during your gestation. Stress can be a leading factor in increasing back pain. 

Muscle separation

You can experience increased back pain in pregnancy due to muscle separation caused by uterus expansion. Your uterus expands to accommodate the growth of your fetus and thus the separation of muscles becomes more profound.

If you were not suffering from chronic backache before pregnancy, your back pain during pregnancy will eventually subside. Here are some effective treatments for back pain during pregnancy: 

• Medicinal treatment
• Regular exercise to strengthen muscle and improve flexibility 
• Applying hot and cold compression
• Improving your posture 
• Stretching at routine intervals 
• Acupuncture

Here is how you manage your back pain during pregnancy: 

• Do not bend over to pick something up 
• Avoid wearing high heeled shoes 
• Avoid sleeping on your back