Early pregnancy can cause lower back pain and nausea in females due to hormone changes, uterine shifts, and weakened abdominal muscles. Lower back pain is common in early and late pregnancy. Approximately 50% of pregnant women encounter lower back pain. Research suggests that lower back pain is more common in the second trimester, though it can occur earlier. Approximately 70% of pregnant women experience morning sickness. Morning sickness can cause nausea and vomiting at any time. Changes to diet and lifestyle can help with morning sickness until it passes. Your obstetrician may prescribe medication or IV fluids for severe morning sickness.
How Does Early Pregnancy Lower Back Pain Feel?
Lower back pain in pregnant women can vary in intensity and onset.
In a 2017 study of 97 pregnant women, some reported burning lower back pain. In a study of 1,510 pregnant women, participants reported that it was radiating, sharp, persistent, and temporary. Some people said lying down, exercising, standing, lifting heavy objects, or bending worsened their lower back pain. Most reported worse nighttime pain and less morning pain. The pelvis weight pressing against the uterus can worsen pain when lying down.
Treatments for Early Pregnancy Back Pain
Back pain can be treated at any pregnancy stage. You may not prevent it, but you can reduce the pain. Reduce pregnancy back pain with these following tips:
- Maintain a good posture while sitting or standing. Hold your chest high and shoulders relaxed while standing straight.
- Avoid prolonged standing. Rest one foot on an elevated surface if you’re on your feet often.
- Squat instead of bending the waist to pick something up.
- Avoid lifting heavy things.
- Wear supportive shoes.
- Sleep sideways with pillows under your belly and between your knees for gentle support.
- Strengthen your abdomen and back with pregnancy-safe exercises.
- As your abdomen grows, wear a belt or supportive garment to relieve back pressure.
- Learn how chiropractic adjustments can relieve back pain from local pregnancy-focused chiropractors.
- When sitting, elevate your feet and make sure your chair supports your back. Support your low back with a lumbar pillow.
- Get enough sleep.
- Meditation, prenatal yoga, and rest can help manage stress if it’s linked to back pain.
What’s Morning Sickness?
Pregnancy morning sickness is nausea and vomiting. This condition affects up to 70% of pregnant women in the first trimester. Morning sickness treatments at home include diet and lifestyle changes. Obstetricians may recommend OTC nausea medications. Most people’s symptoms improve by the second trimester (14 weeks).
Pregnancy Nausea and Vomiting Causes
Pregnancy usually causes nausea and vomiting. Sometimes they’re caused by a non-pregnancy disorder. Morning sickness and hyperemesis gravidarum have unknown causes. A rapid increase in human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), produced by the placenta early in pregnancy, and estrogen, which helps maintain the pregnancy, may cause these symptoms. Hormones like progesterone may slow digestion, causing nausea and vomiting.
Iron-containing prenatal vitamins may cause nausea. In pregnancy, GERD and heartburn are common. The corpus luteum, a normal early pregnancy ovarian cyst, may twist the ovary around its ligaments and tissues, cutting off its blood supply. Adnexal torsion, a non-pregnancy disorder, is more common during pregnancy.
How Can I Reduce Morning Sickness?
- Several things can help you feel better. Small diet and lifestyle changes can reduce nausea.
- Changes in diet for morning sickness. Some crackers or toast in the morning can help settle your stomach. Keep crackers by your bed and eat two before waking up.
- Instead of three big meals, eat several small ones. Avoid skipping meals. Avoid fatty and spicy foods. Eat bland bananas, rice, dry toast, baked potatoes, gelatin, broth, eggs, or applesauce.
- Enjoy protein-rich snacks like yogurt, peanut butter on apple slices or celery, cheese, or nuts between meals.
- Drink lots of water, especially throughout the day. Stay away from caffeine.
- Always bring a snack bag when traveling.
- Changes in lifestyle for morning sickness
- Prenatal vitamins with a snack. Try taking your iron-containing prenatal vitamin at night. Consult your back pain doctor in Dallas incase of severe lower back pain.
- Avoid odors, flickering lights, and other nauseating situations.
- Get enough rest.
- Ventilate rooms, use fans, or go outside for fresh air.
- Lemon, orange, and mint scents are refreshing.
- Do not lie down after eating.
- Rinse your mouth after vomiting. This can shield your teeth from vomit acid.
Conclusion
Most pregnant women experience back pain, which is uncomfortable. First-trimester hormones and stress often cause lower back pain and nausea in females. If you had back pain before pregnancy or are overweight, you may have more during your pregnancy. Avoid excessive standing, wear supportive shoes, and focus on posture to reduce back pain. Although back pain is unlikely to disappear, you don’t have to suffer. Ice packs and prenatal massages can help. Chiropractic care by the Dallas pain management doctors may reduce back pain throughout pregnancy. Morning sickness can make pregnancy miserable. Pregnancy-related nausea is common, especially in the first trimester. Lifestyle and diet changes may help until symptoms disappear.
