This post was most recently updated on July 25th, 2023
Introduction
During pregnancy, there will be many significant changes within the mother’s body, sometimes these changes can manifest as extremely painful aches and pains. So pregnant women need to know the information to have a deal with pain which is effective and safe.
The pains that occur during pregnancy are usually harmless and nothing to worry about unless they are related to pre-eclampsia or prenatal labor symptoms. In fact, these aches and pains are often caused by internal changes as well as an increase in body weight.
Aches and pains are common during pregnancy
Although having a baby is immense happiness for pregnant women, during pregnancy, women experience body aches very often. Here are some common issues that pregnant women need to know to have a way of soothing and making themselves feel more secure every time the pain strikes.
Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain during pregnancy is a common and completely normal phenomenon. The cause may be due to flatulence, heartburn, constipation or even because of fetal development in the body. Pain is also formed when the egg begins to implant in the uterus or due to the stretching of the round ligament supporting the uterus. The phenomenon of fake labor or Braxton-Hicks contractions, a pain that occurs in the 8th month of pregnancy is also a reason for abdominal pain in pregnant women. Of course, during the actual labor process, most pregnant women experience cramping pain.
Treatment
If your stomach aches during pregnancy for simple reasons, you can ease the pain by avoiding vigorous movement in your lower back. When you feel pain, bend over to the affected side, drink as much water as possible, do some gentle muscle relaxation or walk around to help release the build-up of gas in your stomach.
When should you see a doctor?
If you experience persistent pain, whether you may have vaginal bleeding or no white blood, you should still see an obstetrician for medical attention as soon as possible.
Back pain
There are two common back pain sites in pregnant women. One is the back or waist pain and the other is the back pelvic pain. The reason for this may be weight gain, standing or sitting in the wrong position, hormonal changes and muscle splitting due to enlarged uterus. Another reason that can cause back pain in pregnant women is psychological stress.
Treatment
You can control back pain by adjusting your posture when sitting and standing, and doing exercises for each pregnancy. When sleeping, pregnant women should also equip themselves with a pillow placed between the legs and sleep on the left. Acupuncture is also an effective way to reduce back pain during pregnancy. In addition, applying hot and cold compresses to a sore area can also help you feel better.
When should you see a doctor?
If you have back pain with fever, it could be a sign of an infection. When the pain is getting worse or the pain is severe enough to make it difficult to go to the toilet, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Vaginal pain
Vaginal pain is one of the many pains that occur in early pregnancy. This may be because the uterus is expanding and the volume of blood is increasing in the pelvis. Constipation (due to the effects of hormones and iron pills indicated during pregnancy) is also likely to cause vaginal pain in pregnant women.
Treatment
If you frequently experience constipation during pregnancy, including plenty of fiber-rich foods such as chia seeds in your daily diet and drink as much water as you can. You should also consult your doctor about safe stool softeners during pregnancy. Practicing exercises that involve your pelvis also eases pain.
In addition, a gentle massage, as well as a dip in hot water, can help ease your vaginal pain. Wearing clothes that support the belly can also reduce the pressure on your pelvis, hips, and waist.
When should you see a doctor?
You should be aware of the danger signs associated with vaginal pain such as vaginal bleeding, severe pelvic pain that makes it difficult to move, severe headache, dizziness, body swelling, fever or chills. At that time, see a doctor immediately for prompt treatment.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Pain in the wrists, knuckles, and tingling sensations are common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. During pregnancy, this syndrome usually occurs during the second and third trimesters and even persists after birth. Sometimes the pain is so severe that it is almost impossible to hold the baby.
Treatment
To relieve pain and numbness caused by carpal tunnel syndrome, you can try the following methods:
- Massage by a trained therapist.
- If you take actions that can make the pain worse, apply a cold and hot compress to the area where the pain is being felt, turn and shake your wrist or wear a brace.
When should you see a doctor?
It is worrisome if you feel severe pain in your wrist or is severely numb to the point that is holding objects in your hand( which is also difficult.) If that is the case, you need to notify the obstetrician to be monitored and treated promptly.
Headache
This is also a phenomenon that women often encounter headaches during pregnancy. However, pregnant women usually do not have constant headaches or will go away completely in the last trimester. The main cause of this condition is hormonal changes in the body. Some other reasons that cause headaches are fatigue, nervousness or nervous breakdown.
Treatment
You can apply cold compresses, head massage, drink plenty of fluids, get enough sleep, go for a walk and relax to ease stress. These are all simple ways that pregnant women should know to get rid of headaches. If you feel tired and want to take some painkillers, consult an obstetrician.
When should you see a doctor?
Sometimes headaches during pregnancy can be a sign of a serious problem. Therefore, you should consult your doctor if you experience severe headaches, blurred vision, pain below your ribs, nausea and swollen body. It may be a sign of pre-eclampsia.
Cramp in leg
Leg cramps are a sharp pain caused by sudden muscle contraction. Sometimes you’ll need someone to help straighten your legs. Cramps often cause pain in the calves or the back of the thighs. The reason behind the sudden cramp may be due to poor blood circulation to the leg.
Treatment
As soon as you get a cramp, get up and try to slowly stretch your legs or ask for help. Then, try to move your feet while grabbing onto certain support. You can take a supplement of magnesium-rich foods to reduce the risk of cramps, too.
When should you see a doctor?
You should see a doctor if the cramping occurs regularly and each time it causes pain extremely painful.
Sciatica pain
To help the pelvis ready for childbirth, the body begins to release the relaxin hormone. As a result, the ligament dilates and the sciatic nerve is pinched in the middle. At that time, the pregnant mother can feel the sharp pain spread down her buttocks and the back of her legs.
Treatment
Homeopathy may reduce sciatica. In addition, you should also try massage (by trained and licensed professionals), take a warm bath or use heating pads and place on the sore area. In addition, swimming can also help relieve sciatica during pregnancy.
When should you see a doctor?
As soon as you feel pain spreading down your buttocks and back of your feet, tell your doctor right away.
Hemorrhoids
During pregnancy, you are more likely to get hemorrhoids because the dilated uterus puts pressure on the pelvic and lower limb veins. This can reduce blood circulation in the lower half of the body, increase pressure on the abdomen and cause hemorrhoids. In addition, another common cause of hemorrhoids during pregnancy is severe constipation due to hormonal changes.
Treatment
- The first thing that pregnant women need to know to prevent hemorrhoids is to limit constipation.
- Drink plenty of water, eat plenty of raw and high fiber foods every day.
- Establish a healthy diet and use less spicy.
- Taking a warm bath with a small amount of baking soda can help increase blood flow in the anus.
- To reduce itching when you have hemorrhoids, you can also use baking soda applied to the area under the buttocks. Witch hazel can cure swelling and bleeding when suffering from hemorrhoids.
- Non-surgical treatments for hemorrhoids include bipolar hemostasis, hemorrhoidal suture ablation (HAL), hemorrhoidal hemorrhage.
Your doctor may also ask you to Perform surgery if the bleeding caused by the hemorrhoids is uncontrolled or there are many internal and external hemorrhoids.
When should you see a doctor?
Tell your doctor right away when you feel severe pain and bleeding from hemorrhoids.
To learn more about hemorrhoids during pregnancy, you can refer to the article: Causes and ways to prevent hemorrhoids during pregnancy.
Rib pain
This condition usually occurs during the last trimester of pregnancy. However, that may be a good sign because the pain can be caused by the growing fetus and the impact on the ribs when moving.
Treatment
You will feel less pain after 36 weeks of pregnancy when the uterus and fetus are slightly moved down. However, before that time, you should reduce pain by wearing loose clothing, maintaining the correct posture, using pillows when sleeping, walking, doing yoga and bathing with warm water.
When should you see a doctor?
If you feel that your rib pain is getting worse, see your doctor and ask for pain medication if needed.
Sore breasts
Breast pain may occur during some or all trimesters during pregnancy. Do not worry! This is primarily due to hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. Pain during the third trimester is also a primary process because the mammary glands are preparing to produce breast milk.
Treatment
Pregnant women need to know that this is a normal phenomenon and there is no way to help the pain disappear completely. For relief, you can wear a special bra and gently massage your breasts during bathing.
When should you see a doctor?
If you experience intense breast pain with a rash or redness on your skin, see your doctor as soon as possible.
Almost every soreness you experience during pregnancy is extremely normal and there is no need to worry excessively. However, pregnant women need to know the abnormal signs that need medical intervention so nothing unfortunate would happen. If you still feel scared, please share your concerns with the obstetrician!
