Why does early pregnancy cause back pain

A rare condition, transient osteoporosis, may occur due to weight-bearing in the third trimester of pregnancy. This condition causes weakening of the hip bone and results in acute pain with limited motion in the hip. Pain in transient osteoporosis typically comes on suddenly and is aggravated when bearing weight, such as while standing or walking. Women with this condition typically walk by taking short steps to avoid pain antalgic gait. Biological changes in pregnancy resulting in high levels of natural steroids, including adrenocorticoid, estrogen, and progesterone hormones, combined with weight gain, may cause increased joint pressure and muscle strain in the hip.

These changes may result in a condition called avascular necrosis of the upper part head of the femoral bone thigh bone. The condition causes destruction of bone tissue in the femoral head due to lack of blood supply. The symptoms of avascular necrosis of the femoral head start around the third trimester and include 2 :.

Sudden onset of severe abdominal pain and cramping may indicate a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. In this condition, the egg fertilizes and grows in a place other than the uterus, most commonly inside the fallopian tube, which ruptures due to the growing size of the fertilized egg. This condition is a medical emergency and must be treated with surgical intervention on an urgent basis. Pain during active labor is caused by contraction of the muscles of the uterus and is similar to an intense menstrual cramp.

Labor pain typically comes-and-goes and gradually increases in intensity. Some women may experience severe lower back pain during labor, often called back labor. Back labor pain becomes intense between contractions and remains steady between contractions. The joy of carrying a baby can often be marred by it, even during the first trimester before the baby bump starts to show. Why is this, and what can be done to alleviate the pain? As you might expect, this would put pressure on the muscles of your back.

However, many women do unfortunately experience back pain in early pregnancy as well, before any visible sign of a bump appears. One of the major culprits of back pain during pregnancy is the action of hormones.

The function of these hormones in pregnancy is to prepare the ligaments and joints in your pelvis for childbirth, but they can act on any joint in your body too. Their job is to prepare the pelvic cavity for pregnancy. These hormones help to relax the pelvic muscles and loosen the ligaments and soft tissues, which can lead to the back being overburdened.

For some newly expectant mothers, back pain is an early sign of pregnancy. Early pregnancy back pain can be exacerbated by worries about the baby and the pregnancy and related stress which can increase muscle tension and cause discomfort. Other stresses such as family, work or other issues, coupled with the release of progesterone and relaxin which are helping your joints and ligaments get ready for the process of giving birth, are bound to contribute to an aching back.

It is estimated that a half to two thirds of all women suffer back pain at some stage during their pregnancy. Sharing our experiences of pregnancy and infant loss can help us heal. Using breast milk for eczema is a popular home remedy. Here's what the research says about acupuncture for your morning sickness. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Causes Treatment Contact your doctor Next steps Share on Pinterest We include products we think are useful for our readers.

Causes of back pain during early pregnancy. Early pregnancy There are many contributors to the back pain you experience during pregnancy. Hormone increase During your pregnancy, your body releases hormones that help ligaments and joints in your pelvis to soften and loosen. Second and third trimester As your pregnancy progresses, other factors can come into play to aggravate that sore back. Shifting center of gravity As your belly gets bigger, your center of gravity creeps forward.

Weight gain Your back must also support the growing weight of your baby, which can strain the muscles. Treatment for early back pain during pregnancy. Follow these tips for reducing back pain throughout your pregnancy.

Stand straight, with your chest high, and your shoulders back and relaxed. Try to avoid standing for long periods of time. If you need to pick something up, remember to squat instead of bending at the waist. Avoid lifting heavy things. Wear sensible shoes that offer support. It can persist or sometimes worsen as the second trimester progresses and especially in the third trimester, up until you give birth when it's sometimes replaced by postpartum back pain!

Throughout your pregnancy, a hormone called relaxin is released, causing the ligaments of the otherwise stable joints in your pelvis to loosen up in order to allow easier passage of your baby during delivery. Add to that the weight of your growing uterus, and your balance gets thrown off as your center of gravity shifts forward. In turn, your lower back curves more than usual to accommodate the load — resulting in strained muscles and, you guessed it, soreness, stiffness and pain.

It can be. The good news about back pain during pregnancy is that it's usually as resolvable as it is common. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice.