Back pain in pregnancy

It is very common to get backache or back pain during pregnancy, especially in the early stages.

During pregnancy, the ligaments in your body naturally become softer and stretch to prepare you for labour. This can put a strain on the joints of your lower back and pelvis, which can cause back pain.

Avoiding and easing back pain in pregnancy

Try these tips:

bend your knees and keep your back straight when you lift or pick something up from the floor
avoid lifting heavy objects
move your feet when you turn to avoid twisting your spine
wear flat shoes to evenly distribute your weight
try to balance the weight between 2 bags when carrying shopping
keep your back straight and well supported when sitting – look for maternity support pillows
get enough rest, particularly later in pregnancy
have a massage or a warm bath
use a mattress that supports you properly – you can put a piece of hardboard under a soft mattress to make it firmer, if necessary
go to a group or individual back care class

You can take paracetamol to ease back pain while you are pregnant, unless your GP or midwife says not to. Always follow the instructions on the packet.

When to get help for back pain in pregnancy

If your backache is very painful, talk to your GP or midwife. They may be able to refer you to an obstetric physiotherapist at your hospital, who can give you advice and may suggest some helpful exercises.

Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP or midwife urgently if:

You have back pain and you:

are in your second or third trimester – this could be a sign of early labour
also have a fever, bleeding from your vagina or pain when you pee
have pain in one or more of your sides (under your ribs)

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:

You have back pain and:

you lose feeling in one or both of your legs, your bum, or your genitals

Exercises to ease back pain in pregnancy

This gentle exercise helps to strengthen stomach (abdominal) muscles, which can ease back pain in pregnancy:

An image of someone on their hands and knees.

1) Start on all fours with knees under hips, hands under shoulders, fingers facing forwards and stomach muscles lifted to keep your back straight.

An image of someone on their hands and knees while lifting their back up and rolling their head down.

2) Pull in your stomach muscles and raise your back up towards the ceiling, letting your head and bum relax downwards gently – do not let your elbows lock and only move your back as far as you comfortably can.

3) Hold for a few seconds then slowly return to the box position – take care not to hollow your back, it should always return to a straight, neutral position.

4) Do this slowly and rhythmically 10 times, making your muscles work hard and moving your back carefully.

Doing prenatal yoga or aquanatal classes (gentle exercise classes in water) with a qualified instructor can also help build your muscles to better support your back. Ask at your local leisure centre.