Back Spasms During Pregnancy: Lower, Upper Back Spasms in Early Pregnancy

Posted on November 15, 2010 by Nick in Pregnancy & Childbirth

Early Pregnancy Back Spasms

Back spasms during pregnancy can be scary, especially to first time mothers. However, this is really just a natural occurrence and not a cause of alarm except when the spasms are painful and really bother the pregnant woman.

  • About 30% of women will experience back spasms during pregnancy though the rest of the popular seems to be lucky.
  • Reasons for back spasms vary, depending on which portion of the back – lower or upper – is affected.

Lower Back Spasms during Pregnancy

  • The muscles of the abdomen relax to accommodate the growth in the womb.
    However, many women have weak abdominal muscles. With weak muscles, the woman tends to bend backwards to compensate. This will put too much pressure to the back muscles that need to counteract the added weight for balance. These make spasms and pain in the lower back appear.
  • If the gluteal muscles are weak, they won’t be able to support the woman’s increasing weight; thus, spasms in the lower back occur.
  • The sedentary lifestyle that pregnancy induces in some women can lead to loss of muscle strength and mass. This, in turn, will lead to lower back spasms.

Upper Back Spasms during Pregnancy

  • Hormonal changes in the woman’s body can also cause pain in the upper back. However, upper back spasms occur less often than lower back spasms.
  • Sometimes, the baby lies against the spine, radiating pain to both the lower and upper backs.
  • During early pregnancy, the body’s hormones increase in preparation for the baby. This can lead to back spasms.

How to Relieve Back Spasms in Pregnant Women

  • Exercise, approved by the health care provider, can help alleviate pain as it strengthens the muscles.
  • Always assume the right posture to prevent lower back spasms and pain in the legs.
  • Try to get adequate sleep and rest.
Related Reading:
Question: I’m in my 17th week of pregnancy and suffering from severe back and leg pain. Could you suggest any home remedy?

Answer:

Backache during pregnancy is common and inevitable considering the fact that body weight increases; bulky abdomen shifts the center of gravity and excessive demand for calcium (for the fetus) causes osteoporosis in the bones. Further the ligaments stretch, due to increasing size of the uterus causing pain in the back. See also: Causes of back pain in pregnancy

Some simple strategies to alleviate the pain are:

  • Simple exercises to work out the trunk muscles will help in improving your balance and strengthen back muscles.
  • Always use a proper posture while picking up items off the floor. Bend both your knees and keep your back straight. Always lift your legs not your back and keep the object close to your body while picking it up.
  • Ensure a proper sitting posture at all times. Make sure your back is straight and well supported. Don’t cross your legs when you sit. Crossing legs will increase pain and reduce circulation in your extremities.
  • Avoid high heeled shoes. Always use flat, simple and comfortable foot wear. Also see early pregnancy back spasms
  • Make sure your sleeping mattress is firm. If not put a hard board bellows the mattress. Put a pillow under your knees while sleeping, this will reduce the pressure on your back
  • Make sure you follow a strict diet. A woman gains approximately 10-11 kilograms during the tenure of the pregnancy. Make sure you don’t gain more weight, which will increase the burden on your back.
Related Reading:
Question: I’m in 17th week of pregnancy and suffering from severe back and leg pain. Could you suggest any home remedy?
Answer:

Backache in pregnancy occurs primarily occurs due to the following reasons:

  • A pregnant female gains upto 10- 11 kilograms during the course of nine months. This weight gain puts strain on the trunk and back muscles resulting in pain.
  • The abdominal protrusion, caused in the later months of pregnancy, causes in imbalance in weight distribution, with the anterior half becoming heavier than usual. This also causes the spine to bend anteriorly causing muscle strain and pain of the back muscles.
  • The uterus is held in its position by certain ligaments that connect the uterus to the back muscles. Increase in size of the uterus, stretches these ligaments causing pain.

See also Wearing High Heels During Pregnancy

Reducing backache in pregnancy:

  • Exercise regularly to strengthen trunk muscles and improve balance.
  • Maintaining an upright posture while standing, walking, sitting, etc should help the back pain during pregnancy. Make sure you sleep with a straight back.
  • Avoid carrying heavy weights, or wearing high heels, etc
  • Calcium supplements of minimum 500 mg need to be consumed each day. It is essential as calcium requirement of pregnant mother increases substantially.  Iron and folic acid supplements also need to be take every day.
  • Bryonia Alba 3x, 4 pills, every 6 hours, will help to relive pain during pregnancy due to muscular strain.

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