Pregnancy Belly Wraps & Products for Back Pain

It can be. While it’s not the most common early pregnancy symptom, it’s also not unusual to experience back pain in early pregnancy. From the moment you conceive, your body begins releasing hormones to prepare itself for delivery. These hormones cause your ligaments and muscles to gradually loosen and relax over time. The loss of stability can sometimes result in back pain.

On average, most women begin to experience back pain sometime between months 5 and 7 of pregnancy when your belly starts to grow especially large and puts more of a strain on your lower back muscles. However, every woman and every pregnancy is different, so don’t be surprised if you start to have back pain sooner or later than you expected.

Yes! In fact, some women have reported feeling back pain as early as the first month of pregnancy. If you were overweight before becoming pregnant or had back pain previously, then you are more likely to experience back pain early on in pregnancy.

Back pain usually starts out as general muscle stiffness or tenderness, particularly in the area of your lower back. As time goes on, you may find this pain changes into a dull ache or even a sharp, burning sensation at times.

If your back pain is severe, especially if it comes on suddenly or is accompanied by additional symptoms like a fever or vaginal bleeding, then it’s time to consult your physician.

The majority of back pain in pregnancy is a result of muscle fatigue, so the best way to ease the pain is to take care of your muscles. Regular stretching and exercise can help both treat and prevent back pain by keeping your muscles active and engaged so they are less likely to become stiff. Many cases of minor back pain can also be eased through ice or heat therapy using a hot/cold gel pack. Another great way to ease back pain is by wearing a pregnancy support band. Pregnancy support bands help distribute the weight of your belly, taking some of the burden off of your tired back muscles.

The best way to sleep when you have back pain during your pregnancy is on your side. Laying down on your side takes pressure off of your lower back and aligns your spine so back muscles can fully relax. Many women also find it helpful to place a pillow between their knees to help keep their hips aligned and make the position more comfortable.