It is not unusual to experience some pain and body aches in pregnancy. Hormonal fluctuations lead to these pains in early pregnancy, while in later pregnancy, the expanding uterus exerts pressure on the adjacent nerves and organs, leading to aches and pains. In addition, during pregnancy, the hormone relaxin is released, which causes musculoskeletal pain and leads to the loosening of the ligaments. Although painful, these changes occur as the body prepares itself for childbirth. Read the post to learn about the causes, types, and home care measures for body aches and pains during pregnancy.
What Are Common Pregnancy Aches And Pains?
The following aches and pains are common in pregnant women:
1. Headaches
Headaches are common in pregnancy. It is recommended to seek a doctor’s advice for persistent headaches in pregnancy. These persistent headaches, especially after the second trimester, could be associated with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia (1).
2. Dental pain
Pregnancy hormones can affect the gums and teeth. Dental pain (tooth pain) and sensitivity can be due to tooth decay and gum problems. Vomiting and gagging while brushing teeth are common in pregnancy and can damage the teeth with stomach acids. Sugary food cravings are also a reason for tooth damage in pregnant women (2).
3. Wrist and hand pain
Carpal tunnel syndrome causes pain, tingling, and numbness in the hand and arm. This occurs when the median nerve running to the hand is compressed or squeezed. The swollen blood vessels due to doubled blood volume in the carpal tunnel area compress the nerves during pregnancy (3).
4. Breast pain
Changes in hormones can cause breast pain during pregnancy. Breast soreness and tenderness are more obvious in the first trimester and can be felt on both breasts. You may seek medical care if you experience symptoms of infection such as nipple discharge, severe pain, warmness, or redness in the breasts (4).
5. Chest pain
Heartburn (acid reflux or indigestion) is the common cause of chest pain in pregnancy. Hormonal changes and the growing uterus pressure can cause burning sensation or pain in the chest. Sometimes, sharp or stabbing chest pain can be due to heart problems or other conditions. You may seek medical care if the chest pain is concerning (5).
6. Backache and back pain
Back pain is one of the common pains experienced by most pregnant women, especially in later months. Relaxation of ligaments and posture changes during pregnancy causes backache or back pain. The growing uterus shifts the center of gravity and weakens and stretches the abdominal muscles. In addition to these changes, extra weight can also increase the strain on the back (6).
7. Round ligament pain
Round ligament pain is felt in the abdomen near the hips and groin area. Round ligaments connect the uterus to the pelvis and keep the uterus in place. When the uterus grows, it shifts position, and pregnancy hormones loosen and stretch the round ligaments. This can be felt as an ache, stabbing, or pulling sensation (7).
8. Anal or rectal pain
Hemorrhoids and constipation can cause pain in the anal area or buttocks. This can be increased during bowel movements. Constipation and tear in the anal tissue (anal fissure) can also be the reason for painful bowel movements in pregnancy (8).
9. Sciatica pain
Sciatica is nerve pain caused by pinching or compressing the sciatic nerve in the lower back. The pinched nerve can cause sharp or shooting pain in the lower back, buttocks, and legs. In addition, changes in posture and pressure from the growing uterus can cause sciatic pain in pregnancy (9).
10. Leg cramps
Leg cramps in pregnancy can be due to involuntary contractions of the leg muscles, and nearly half of pregnant women experience them. Since the growing uterus presses the blood vessels to the lower parts of the body, there is a diminished blood supply to the legs, causing acid build-up and pain. Some women may experience muscle cramps due to calcium deficiency. Leg cramps increase as pregnancy advances (1).
11. Foot pain
Foot pain is common in pregnancy, especially during the last trimesters. This is because changes in the center of gravity due to the growing belly put pressure on the feet. As a result, forefeet pressure is greater while standing and walking. In addition, swollen feet and ankles due to reduced venous return can also cause discomfort (10). You can experience pain and aches in various parts of the body during pregnancy. Any pain that is concerning or not relieved by home care measures should be evaluated by a doctor. Avoid taking OTC pain relief medications unless recommended by your healthcare provider.
How To Ease Body Aches During Pregnancy?
Rest and exercise can help ease several body aches and pains during pregnancy. For example, stretching exercises can improve blood circulation and reduce aches and pains due to diminished blood supply in various body parts. You may also try prenatal exercises as per your doctor’s recommendations. Sometimes, lying down for a while can help ease pressure on muscles and improve circulation. Applying heat packs can also relieve many aches and pains. The following tips may help reduce body aches and pains during pregnancy: You may also try physiotherapy and other therapies from registered practitioners to alleviate pains and aches. Exercising in water or swimming can also be helpful for pregnant women with body pains that limit certain exercises and activities.
When To Call Your Doctor?
Although body aches and cramps are normal in pregnancy, you may seek medical care if it concerns you. It is recommended to seek prescriptions to take pain relievers in pregnancy since several over-the-counter pain medications are unsafe. Always seek medical care for pain or aches with other symptoms such as fever, persistent headaches, breathing troubles, and vaginal bleeding. These symptoms may indicate underlying infections, high blood pressure, or ectopic pregnancy in some women. Your health care provider can diagnose the exact cause of pain and treat them accordingly.
References:
title: “Common Body Aches During Pregnancy And Tips To Deal With Them” ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-09” author: “Brett Adams”
It is not unusual to experience some pain and body aches in pregnancy. Hormonal fluctuations lead to these pains in early pregnancy, while in later pregnancy, the expanding uterus exerts pressure on the adjacent nerves and organs, leading to aches and pains. In addition, during pregnancy, the hormone relaxin is released, which causes musculoskeletal pain and leads to the loosening of the ligaments. Although painful, these changes occur as the body prepares itself for childbirth. Read the post to learn about the causes, types, and home care measures for body aches and pains during pregnancy.
What Are Common Pregnancy Aches And Pains?
The following aches and pains are common in pregnant women:
1. Headaches
Headaches are common in pregnancy. It is recommended to seek a doctor’s advice for persistent headaches in pregnancy. These persistent headaches, especially after the second trimester, could be associated with gestational hypertension and preeclampsia (1).
2. Dental pain
Pregnancy hormones can affect the gums and teeth. Dental pain (tooth pain) and sensitivity can be due to tooth decay and gum problems. Vomiting and gagging while brushing teeth are common in pregnancy and can damage the teeth with stomach acids. Sugary food cravings are also a reason for tooth damage in pregnant women (2).
3. Wrist and hand pain
Carpal tunnel syndrome causes pain, tingling, and numbness in the hand and arm. This occurs when the median nerve running to the hand is compressed or squeezed. The swollen blood vessels due to doubled blood volume in the carpal tunnel area compress the nerves during pregnancy (3).
4. Breast pain
Changes in hormones can cause breast pain during pregnancy. Breast soreness and tenderness are more obvious in the first trimester and can be felt on both breasts. You may seek medical care if you experience symptoms of infection such as nipple discharge, severe pain, warmness, or redness in the breasts (4).
5. Chest pain
Heartburn (acid reflux or indigestion) is the common cause of chest pain in pregnancy. Hormonal changes and the growing uterus pressure can cause burning sensation or pain in the chest. Sometimes, sharp or stabbing chest pain can be due to heart problems or other conditions. You may seek medical care if the chest pain is concerning (5).
6. Backache and back pain
Back pain is one of the common pains experienced by most pregnant women, especially in later months. Relaxation of ligaments and posture changes during pregnancy causes backache or back pain. The growing uterus shifts the center of gravity and weakens and stretches the abdominal muscles. In addition to these changes, extra weight can also increase the strain on the back (6).
7. Round ligament pain
Round ligament pain is felt in the abdomen near the hips and groin area. Round ligaments connect the uterus to the pelvis and keep the uterus in place. When the uterus grows, it shifts position, and pregnancy hormones loosen and stretch the round ligaments. This can be felt as an ache, stabbing, or pulling sensation (7).
8. Anal or rectal pain
Hemorrhoids and constipation can cause pain in the anal area or buttocks. This can be increased during bowel movements. Constipation and tear in the anal tissue (anal fissure) can also be the reason for painful bowel movements in pregnancy (8).
9. Sciatica pain
Sciatica is nerve pain caused by pinching or compressing the sciatic nerve in the lower back. The pinched nerve can cause sharp or shooting pain in the lower back, buttocks, and legs. In addition, changes in posture and pressure from the growing uterus can cause sciatic pain in pregnancy (9).
10. Leg cramps
Leg cramps in pregnancy can be due to involuntary contractions of the leg muscles, and nearly half of pregnant women experience them. Since the growing uterus presses the blood vessels to the lower parts of the body, there is a diminished blood supply to the legs, causing acid build-up and pain. Some women may experience muscle cramps due to calcium deficiency. Leg cramps increase as pregnancy advances (1).
11. Foot pain
Foot pain is common in pregnancy, especially during the last trimesters. This is because changes in the center of gravity due to the growing belly put pressure on the feet. As a result, forefeet pressure is greater while standing and walking. In addition, swollen feet and ankles due to reduced venous return can also cause discomfort (10). You can experience pain and aches in various parts of the body during pregnancy. Any pain that is concerning or not relieved by home care measures should be evaluated by a doctor. Avoid taking OTC pain relief medications unless recommended by your healthcare provider.
How To Ease Body Aches During Pregnancy?
Rest and exercise can help ease several body aches and pains during pregnancy. For example, stretching exercises can improve blood circulation and reduce aches and pains due to diminished blood supply in various body parts. You may also try prenatal exercises as per your doctor’s recommendations. Sometimes, lying down for a while can help ease pressure on muscles and improve circulation. Applying heat packs can also relieve many aches and pains. The following tips may help reduce body aches and pains during pregnancy: You may also try physiotherapy and other therapies from registered practitioners to alleviate pains and aches. Exercising in water or swimming can also be helpful for pregnant women with body pains that limit certain exercises and activities.
When To Call Your Doctor?
Although body aches and cramps are normal in pregnancy, you may seek medical care if it concerns you. It is recommended to seek prescriptions to take pain relievers in pregnancy since several over-the-counter pain medications are unsafe. Always seek medical care for pain or aches with other symptoms such as fever, persistent headaches, breathing troubles, and vaginal bleeding. These symptoms may indicate underlying infections, high blood pressure, or ectopic pregnancy in some women. Your health care provider can diagnose the exact cause of pain and treat them accordingly.
