| Many women suffer with pregnancy back pain at | | | | This will help to support your uterus and keep your |
| night. This type of night back pain in pregnancy is called | | | | spine in a neutral position. There are several wonderful |
| nocturnal back pain. You may have it on its own, or | | | | pregnancy pillows that can help to make sleeping |
| concurrently with low back or sacroiliac pain. There are | | | | much more comfortable. It is also important to make |
| a couple of different theories as to why night back | | | | special efforts during the day to adjust your posture in |
| pain develops during pregnancy. One theory is that it is | | | | ways that will help prevent muscle fatigue. Be sure to |
| caused by muscle fatigue from being active all day. By | | | | take frequent breaks from standing or sitting. If you |
| the end of the day, your body becomes more | | | | must sit or stand for long periods of time, elevate one |
| fatigued, and thus you feel more discomfort toward | | | | foot on a low stool or foot rest. Also, wear good, |
| the evening hours. The second theory is that nocturnal | | | | supportive shoes, and avoid wearing high heeled |
| back pain is due to water retention. This can lead to | | | | shoes, which place extra strain on the back. It is also |
| edema and an increased volume of blood. This | | | | possible to manage pregnancy back pain at night by |
| additional water in the body can place pressure on the | | | | maintaining a regular exercise program. Regular |
| spinal nerves and muscles, resulting in backaches. | | | | exercise will help strengthen and support the spine, |
| Some women have very severe back pain while | | | | therefore helping to minimize strain and muscle fatigue. |
| sleeping during their pregnancy. The most important | | | | Exercise and postural adjustments will help to minimize |
| thing you can do is to avoid sleeping on your back | | | | night time back pain, but may not completely prevent it. |
| during pregnancy. Lying on your back, or in the supine | | | | Many women find pain relief in alternative approaches |
| position, compresses major arteries and veins, namely | | | | such as acupuncture and massage therapy, though |
| the inferior vena cava and the aorta. This decreases | | | | this relief may be only temporary. There are a variety |
| circulation and allows fluid pressure to build up in the | | | | of gentle hands on techniques that can be performed |
| pelvis, which places pressure on the spinal nerves. As | | | | at home, which are also beneficial for relieving |
| your fetus grows, it also puts more and more pressure | | | | pregnancy related back pain. Unfortunately, |
| on your arteries and veins. The farther along you are | | | | anti-inflammatory medications such as motrin, advil, and |
| in your pregnancy, the more important it is to avoid | | | | aspirin are contraindicated during pregnancy. The only |
| sleeping on your back. The healthiest sleeping position | | | | pain reliever considered safe during pregnancy is |
| for you and your baby is on your sides. Resting on | | | | acetaminophen. Soaking in a hot tub or whirlpool is not |
| your left side will place the least amount of pressure | | | | recommended during pregnancy. You may however |
| on your spine. In addition to side sleeping, supporting the | | | | find a warm, not hot, bath can soothe your sore back. |
| uterus can help alleviate night back pain. | | | | Try adding Epsom salt to a warm bath to help relieve |
| To properly support your uterus, lay on your side with | | | | pain. |
| pillows under your abdomen and between your legs. | | | | |