When To Call Your Doctor Or Midwife

Sometimes, certain body aches and pains in pregnancy can be a sign of something more serious. Severe back pain may be a sign of a kidney infection it’s often accompanied by fever and a burning sensation when you urinate. Rarely, abdominal pain and cramping in the first trimester of pregnancy may be caused by ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage.

Generalized body aches along with fevers and/or upper respiratory symptoms can also be caused by flu or COVID-19. Pregnant women are more susceptible to complications with both of these infections.

• Severe and constant abdominal pain, especially if it doesn’t go away within an hour given rest
• Pain or burning when you pee

How To Prevent Or Relieve Pelvic Or Hip Pain During Pregnancy

It’s best to ask your healthcare provider, who may advise you to

• avoid standing for long periods of time

• avoid lifting heavy objects

• get regularexercise but without overexerting yourself. Download our free guide to exercising while pregnant

• take a warm bath

• sleep with a pillow between your knees

• use a heat pack on the sore areas

Causes Of Hip And Back Pain

Pregnant women experience pain in different ways. It could be a constant ache, sharp bolts of pain or both. There are multiple causes of joint pain and general soreness during pregnancy:

• An increasing weight of the baby in the uterus leads to changes in posture that stress back, hip and leg joints
• Heavier uterus places additional pressure on the lower back
• Increased pressure on the sciatic nerve leads to hip and leg pain or numbness or tingling in the area from the hips to thighs
• Round ligaments connect the front of the uterus to the groin, and stretch and relax muscles movements causing sudden stretching and contracting leads to brief shots of pain in the abdomen and hip area
• Poor posture or changes in posture while walking, standing or sleeping

Pain can be all along the spectrum of mild to severe. Sometimes pain will radiate into the buttocks and thighs and even down the leg, depending on the nerves impacted.

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Treating Joint Pain During Pregnancy

Written by

26 May, 2022

The hormonal and bodily changes a woman undergoes during pregnancy greatly contribute to all sorts of discomfort. Treating fluid retention, back pain, and joint pain during pregnancy can be a challenge. So, continue reading to find out about some ways to obtain relief.

Joint pain during pregnancy usually occurs due to weight gain. Those extra pounds exert enormous pressure on the knees and lead to pain. The same is true of other body joints. Thus, the symptoms of women with arthritis problems become more pronounced during pregnancy.

In the event that you also suffer from fluid retention, you may also experience tingling, numbness, and pain in the fingers. When it comes to severe pain, theres also numbness of the hands and feet as well as swelling of the hands or face. Go ahead and consult your doctor if you feel any of these symptoms as they could be due to preeclampsia.

Maintain A Healthy Pregnancy Weight

The second thing you can do is avoid excessive weight gain in pregnancy.

Being overweight can increase the mechanical stress placed on your pelvis, theoretically increasing the risk of developing pelvic girdle pain and low back pain.

So how much weight should you gain?

It depends on your pre-pregnancy weight.

Also Check: Total Care Injury & Pain Center

When To See A Physician About Pain

If pain develops in the first trimester, it is important to see a physician to pinpoint the cause of the pain. It may not be due to the pregnancy when it occurs so early. If pain is accompanied by other symptoms, such as feeling dizzy or vaginal spotting, there could be other medical issues.

Also, consult a physician at any point during the pregnancy if the pain in the hips or back becomes unbearable and endures for more than two weeks. The physician may suggest taking a mild medication or recommend some type of treatment.

Inflammatory Arthritis And Pregnancy

Learn how your condition may affect the different stages of pregnancy.

The decision to have a baby is one of the most important ones a couple will make. For a woman with inflammatory arthritis, the decision might raise some questions: Will the disease or its treatments affect her baby? Will having a baby affect her arthritis? Will arthritis affect her delivery? Will she be able to care for her newborn?

Inflammatory types of arthritis could affect pregnancy from conception to the weeks or months following birth. And pregnancy can make a difference either good or bad on a mothers disease. But predicting the course of pregnancy and how it may affect arthritis symptoms isnt possible. But the good news is that, armed with knowledge and a strong health care team, most women with inflammatory types of arthritis and related conditions can have healthy pregnancies.

There is a genetic component to many autoimmune diseases, so your child may be somewhat more likely to develop an autoimmune disease, although not necessarily the one that you have. However, it is really important to remember that many women with autoimmune diseases have healthy babies who dont develop arthritis or any other type of autoimmune disease.

Heres what you need to know about pregnancy from the planning stages to delivery and beyond.

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The Body Preparing For Childbirth

Having a baby is a wonderful and natural experience, but it is a physically stressful one too. Common stress is the hip and leg pain pregnancy induces because of physical changes a womans body goes through to enable a successful pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

Once pregnant, the series of changes in the body taking place during the pregnancy include:

• Release or increase in hormone levels during the first trimester, i.e., estrogen, progesterone, etc.
• Release of the hormone relaxin during the second or third trimester, impacting connective tissues
• Connecting tissues soften and relax
• Joints in the pelvic area loosen due to softened ligaments and tendons
• Flexibility in pelvic bones increases to enable the babys movement from the womb through the birth canal during labor

The larger the baby grows, the more stress placed on the body as the baby becomes heavier and more active. The hormones released relax connective tissues throughout the body, but it is the changes in the pelvic area in particular that lead to back and hip pain.

How Can A Physiotherapist Help With Joint Pain During Pregnancy

If youre noticing increased pain around your joints during pregnancy, this is entirely normal but should also not be ignored. Its important you get the right help you need from a professional pregnancy physio who can diagnose and treat the issue for you.

Had enough of the joint problems? Get in touch with our team here at Integrity Physio for expert advice and treatment.

Director & Senior Physiotherapist at Integrity Physiotherapy, Leslie Trigg, has over 15 years of experience in clinical practice. He has graduated with a degree in Human Biology from Curtin University in 2001 and later completed a Masters of Physiotherapy in 2007. He has tremendous experience in musculoskeletal, orthopaedic, neurosurgical and sports physiotherapy. In his spare time, he enjoys swimming, listening to music and spending time with his family.

Integrity Physio accepts Medicare Plans from your GP. Given the high quality of our service and the 30-minute consultations we provide, a gap fee applies for these consultations.

If you have reached your Medicare Safety Net you can expect a higher rebate for your physiotherapy consultation under Medicare and a smaller gap payment.

Please consider others and provide us with 24 hours notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment.

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Si Joint Pain In Pregnancy

Are you pregnant and have SI joint pain?

You are not alone.

This article will teach you everything you need to know about SI joint pain in pregnancy, including:

• What SI joint pain is,
• Why it happens, and
• What you can do about it

Ok. Lets dive right in.

Disclaimer

***READ FIRST***

Although I am a doctor, I am not your doctor. This information is for informational purposes only and should not substitute the advice from your healthcare professional. All kinds of exercise and dietary changes are potentially dangerous, and those who do not seek counsel from the appropriate health care authority assume the liability of any injury which may occur. Please read my full Disclaimer for more information. Also, this post may contain affiliate links: meaning I may receive a commission if you use them.

Ok, moving on.

Is It Normal To Have Body Aches In Early Pregnancy

Yes. You may experience early pregnancy body aches and muscle pains all over due to hormonal changes, especially toward the end of the first trimester.

Pelvic pain and lower back pain are the most frequent complaints. These discomforts can pop up at any point in pregnancy, although they’re more common beginning in week 14 .

You may also experience mild uterine cramping in early pregnancy, similar to period pains, as your uterus begins to expand in size. You could also have stomach pains due to constipation or gas, both of which are common during pregnancy. Digestive problems are also linked to hormonal changes and start early in pregnancy.

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Joint Pain During Pregnancy

What is joint pain during pregnancy?

You might be feeling stiffness, soreness or pain in the places your body bends: elbows, fingers, knees, hips and more.

What could be causing my joint pain during pregnancy?

Pregnancy weight gain itself can put strain on your joints and make them hurt especially if its your first baby, says Joseph A. Salinas, MD, ob-gyn at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic in Houston. If you exercise a lot, you might get joint pain from overuse.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is also common in pregnancy. Fluid gain, in addition to the weight gain, can cause increased pressure at the wrist, triggering pain in your wrist and hands.

Joint pain can be a symptom of hypothyroidism, but Salinas points out that pregnant women are normally screened for the condition at the beginning of pregnancy, so if you had it, youd probably know it already. When caught early, hypothyroidism usually doesnt cause any complications. A lot of women with hypothyroidism deliver healthy babies every day, he confirms. We just have to be sure that their levels are checked and that theyre on supplementation throughout the pregnancy.

When should I go to the doctor about my joint pain during pregnancy?

For joint pain, its fine to wait and mention it at your next office visit unless you actually had an injury or if its severe, says Salinas.

How should I treat joint pain during pregnancy?

Plus, more from The Bump:

What Are The Symptoms Of Joint Pain During Pregnancy

Just like normal joint pain, there are some telltale signs and side effects that you should be aware of. Joint pain can manifest at any time and sometimes for unknown reasons so its good to stay aware of your body at all times. Here are some common symptoms to look out for:

• Swelling at or around the joint
• Pain and discomfort when moving the joint
• Aching after use
• A feeling of weakness, or numbness

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Can I Eat Yogurt In Early Pregnancy

The short answer is yes, you can eat yogurt in early pregnancy.

The long answer is a little more complicated.

There are a lot of different types of yogurt on the market, and not all of them are safe to eat during pregnancy.

You should avoid yogurt that contains added sugar and choose a brand that is low in sugar.

You should also avoid yogurt that is made with raw milk, as this can contain harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning.

Yogurt that is made with pasteurized milk is safe to eat during pregnancy.

So, what kind of yogurt can you eat during pregnancy

The best option is plain yogurt that is low in sugar.

You can also eat yogurt that is sweetened with honey or fruit.

Just be sure to avoid yogurt with added sugar.

Yogurt is a healthy snack choice during pregnancy, and it is a good source of protein and calcium.

It is important to eat a healthy diet during pregnancy, and yogurt can be a part of that diet.

Can You Sleep Too Much During Pregnancy

Sleep is essential for everyone, including pregnant women. However, can you sleep too much during pregnancy The answer is a resounding maybe.

During the first trimester, its generally recommended that pregnant women get between seven and eight hours of sleep per night. This amount of sleep should be enough to keep you feeling rested and energized. If youre finding that youre sleeping more than nine hours per night, you may want to try to scale back a bit. Oversleeping can lead to problems such as fatigue and daytime sleepiness, both of which can be dangerous for both you and your baby.

In the second and third trimesters, pregnant women need even more sleep between nine and ten hours per night. This is because your body is working so hard to support your growing baby. If you find that youre still wanting to sleep more than ten hours per night, its best to talk to your doctor. He or she may be able to help you figure out why youre not getting enough rest and offer some solutions.

Overall, its important to listen to your body when it comes to sleep during pregnancy. If youre feeling tired, take a nap. If youre feeling rested, stick to your seven to eight hours per night. And always remember to get as much rest as you can for you and your babys health.

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The Bones That Make Up The Pelvis Can Cause Pain During Pregnancy

These pains arise from the sacro-iliac and symphysis pubis joints. Some women experience pain in their lower back, buttocks, thighs, hips, groin or pubic bones at some time during their pregnancy. For most women, the symptoms are mild but for some, they are severe and disabling. Although PGP can be painful and distressing, it will not harm your baby.

You may have pain or difficulty with activities such as:

• Climbing stairs
• Getting in/out of the car and driving

Other symptoms of PGP may include clicking or grinding sensations on movement or feeling that the pelvic joints are loose/unstable. The joints are not damaged PGP is usually a self-limiting condition and most women recover completely within the first month following birth, although 1-2% may experience pain for up to one year.

What Can Hip And Pelvic Pain Feel Like During Pregnancy

It might help to know where the pelvis and hips are located in relation to one other: The pelvis, which is a large bone structure at the base of your spine, sits at the lower part of your torso. The hips are the joints on either side of the pelvis that connect each thigh to the pelvis.

If you feel pain in the pelvic or hip area, it can sometimes be tricky to pinpoint exactly where and what is sore. Pain in the pelvis or hip may even feel like back pain, particularly if it’s radiating, and many women have back pain at some point during pregnancy. Plus, women experience pain in different ways: Some feel sharp, sudden discomfort, while others get a dull, constant ache. For you, it may even be a bit of each at different times throughout your pregnancy. Your healthcare provider will be able to make an accurate diagnosis.

Pelvic pain during pregnancy is not uncommon. It can be dull or sharp, constant or infrequent, mild or severe. You might even feel it radiate to your lower back, buttocks, or thighs. You might experience pelvic pain only during certain movements, for example if it hurts to walk. Or you might feel it in certain positions, for example when you lie down to sleep.

Make sure to tell your doctor about any pain that disrupts your daily life, that gets worse over time, or that feels severe let your doctor know if you also feel light-headed, or if you have vaginal bleeding or a fever as well as pain.

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Preventing Aches And Pains During Pregnancy

The unflattering “waddle” often associated with a pregnant woman’s gait appears to be no more than a myth, according to new research. Although investigators have found that women walk the same way before and during pregnancy, the changes in their body mass and distribution do leave them at increased risk for low back, hip, and calf pain due to overuse.

“With big changes in body weight and distribution, regular exercise prevents joint wear and tear, especially in the pelvis, hips, and ankles,” says study author Theresa Foti, PhD, a kinesiologist at Shriners Hospital for Children in Greenville, S.C.

Foti explored gait patterns in 15 women between the ages of 25 and 38 during their final weeks of pregnancy. Participants were videotaped walking across a room, and their strides were compared using motion analysis software. The process was repeated a year later for all but two participants, who were tested prior to pregnancy.

Overall, gait patterns were remarkably unchanged during pregnancy. There was no evidence of a waddling gait, but there were significant increases in hip and ankle forces, indicating that muscles and joints compensate for changes in body mass. These adjustments allow for a normal stride but place muscles and joints at high risk for overuse injuries, particularly among inactive women. The research was published in the current issue of The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.