As wonderful as pregnancy is, pain often comes with the territory. All moms-to-be, and especially those managing chronic pain, need a plan to deal with prenatal aches and pains. Here are some tips:
Sit down with your feet up. Sometimes the best treatment for pain during pregnancy is to sit down with your feet up. A heating pad or hot water bottle can be great for back and neck pain. Just don’t place the heat on your abdomen.
Stretch your muscles. Your body is adjusting to carrying additional weight, which puts strain on your muscles and ligaments. Simple stretches can help relieve hip and back pain and can also help you maintain muscle tone throughout the pregnancy.
Consider massage. Prenatal massage specifically targets areas of the body that are most prone to tension during pregnancy. Worried about lying on your belly or back? Don’t! There are special tables just for pregnant mamas!
Avoid medications as much as possible. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant and experiencing pain – chronic or otherwise. Certain common medications can be harmful to a growing fetus – even over-the-counter ones.
A certain amount of sensitivity is to be expected – breast tenderness and/or mild cramps are normal and usually don’t last the duration of the pregnancy. Seek medical attention if you feel pains that could be described as “strong menstrual cramps,” especially if you are bleeding or spotting, or if you have a fever. If you are experiencing pain that does not go away, it’s best to call your doctor as soon as possible.