Seven Common Pregnancy Aches and Pains
Pregnancy is an exciting time, but the nine-month phase can be a long haul of aches, pains and discomforts. Pain strikes at different points during the pregnancy — some fleeting while some lasting longer. Since every woman’s pregnancy is unique, not everyone may experience all of these changes. Nonetheless, pains are a normal part of pregnancy.
We have listed down some commonly experienced aches and pains during pregnancy to help you navigate through them.
Back Ache
Back pain is one of the most common symptoms of pregnancy caused by pressure on the back muscles. As the baby gets heavier, your weight shifts to the front of your body and you may find that your back and spine are no longer getting the support they need. This added strain on the back muscles can lead to pain, stiffness and soreness.
Pregnancy Cramps
Cramping can be experienced at any time during the pregnancy. Some experience mild cramps in the first month while others experience it towards the end when the body goes into “practice” contractions. Minor cramps are normal during pregnancy and typically occur when the uterus expands, causing the supporting muscles and ligaments to stretch.
Headaches
As pregnancy hormones rise, estrogen and progesterone may affect headache-related chemicals in the brain. Factors like lack of sleep can also contribute to elevating headaches.
Pelvic Pain
Around 80 percent of women experience pelvic pain in their pregnancy, often in their final trimester when pressure on the pelvic area is particularly intense. It can be experienced at any point during the pregnancy and the impact can range from minor aches or general feeling of heaviness in the pelvic area to debilitating pain.
Restless Leg Syndrome
Leg cramps are pregnancy symptoms experienced around the second or third trimester. They can occur as a result of too little calcium and too much phosphorus in the body. They often strike at night in the form of muscle contractions in the leg or foot. Some may also experience restless leg syndrome, which is an uncomfortable jittery sensation in the legs.
Lower Abdominal Pain
During pregnancy, as your uterus grows, the ligaments that hold it in place stretch. This can cause bursts of sharp pains or muscle spasms in the lower abdominal area. The pain can be followed by some soreness as well.
Swollen Ankles and Feet
Swelling in the ankles or feet can be caused when the body retains more fluid. The growing uterus also exerts pressure on the veins, causing fluids to move from the blood to the surrounding tissues and swelling the area.
Women’s Physiotherapy with FCBS Dubai
FCBS Dubai is a women’s healthcare center that focuses on pelvic floor dysfunction treatment and prenatal & postnatal care services. Our treatments are designed to help pregnant women maintain their bone alignment and strengthen their core muscles. We also offer preventive measures and pain analysis after delivery to help our clients get the right treatment.
To know more about our services, call us on +971 4 3255481 or email us at info@fcbsglobal.com.