Pain and pregnancy seem to go to together as naturally as peas and carrots. At some point, every woman is going to experience some type of discomfort and/or pain from the experience of carrying and bringing a new life into the world.
After 12 pregnancies, I’m sharing some of the techniques and remedies that worked for me. Let me know in the comments what worked for YOU!
Backache
There are lots of ways to tackle this one!
- Massage – Make sure the practitioner has worked with expectant mothers before.
- Chiropractic care – same caveat as above!
- Gentle stretches
- Maternity support belt
- OTC pain relief – i.e. like Advil and Tylenol
- Pain relief cream – If you prefer natural options, Dr. Hoy’s has an excellent arnica pain relief cream that works fast on aches and pains. gels and creams
- Take frequent walks
- Practice good posture
- Try to keep weight gain under control – One of the best ways to do this is is to limit (not eliminate) carbs.
Headaches
There are many reasons you might experience a headache during pregnancy, and it helps to try and narrow down the cause to tailor the treatment.
- Low blood sugar is a common (but often overlooked) culprit, and can result from a woman not eating enough due to nausea and/or throwing up. Eating just a little, especially a complex carb paired with a protein, can ward off hunger headaches and avoid the need for medication.
- Dehydration can also cause headaches. I think you can guess the fix for this!
- Respiratory illnesses and allergies can trigger headaches. Your doctor can recommend something safe to take if it’s allergies. Sinus pain responds well to heat and facial massage.
- Moderate to severe stress can give you a headache. For tension headaches, you can try an ice pack to the sore area, or gentle massage. I really love Celestial Seasonings’ Tension Tamer tea.
- Hormonal headaches due to pregnancy are usually only alleviated by time and rest and/or medication (see below).
- Poor sleep can also contribute to head pain, as can neck or upper back problems. Practice good posture and do frequent neck and shoulder stretches throughout the day if you sit or stand for long periods of time.
- Withdrawal from caffeine or a medication you have stopped taking can also be a trigger.
On the medicinal front, my family doctor has always recommended, for my normal, low-risk pregnancies, either Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen. However, steer clear of the latter (and other NSAID’s) in the final month.
Round Ligament Pain
With each subsequent baby, these seem to hurt me more! Sharp, stabbing pains on one or both sides that can sometimes take your breath away are no joke. I’ve learned that moving more slowly when I’m about to change positions (for example, getting out of the car) can help prevent them. But if the pain has already struck, and you need relief, slowly stop what you are doing and change into a position that feels better. Applying heat feels really good, too. If no heat is available, gentle counterpressure from your hands on the throbbing area can help.
Sciata
Many of the exercises out there involve lying flat on your back, which you probably won’t be too keen on with a big stomach!
My midwife recommended the Figure 4 Stretch, which can be done while sitting. It always affords quick relief to me.
Varicose Veins
For many expectant mothers, these veins aren’t just unsightly. They hurt! Some find that after standing or walking for a while, the pain is almost unbearable.
Compression garments are frequently suggested, but I know from experience they can be VERY hard to get on and off when you’ve got a big stomach sticking out. You can actually break a sweat just trying to maneuver into the super tight, super thick hose. And they are hot and uncomfortable; during one summer pregnancy I just endured the pain rather than wear compression tights all day long.
Other than avoiding long periods of standing or sitting, I’ve found the most relief from taking VariPlex by Mountain Meadow Herbs. Just a week or two into this supplement and I notice a marked reduction in both pain and swelling. With my current pregnancy, the pain flared up tremendously starting in the 4th month. After standing in the kitchen and cooking supper I would have to lie down for a while; the throbbing was that bad. That was back in February, and I went ahead and placed an order for VariPlex on Amazon. Now I’m close to 28 weeks, my stomach has grown a lot more, and then pain is almost gone. That’s how amazing this stuff is. If you’re curious, it’s a tincture made of bilberry and bayberry. Don’t balk at the $40 price tag; it lasts a good long while and is cheaper than most compression garments.
Now, let me know what helped you with your pregnancy discomfort!
This sponsored post is a collaboration between my blog and Responsival.
