Back pain or discomfort is common during pregnancy and should be expected to some degree by most women. Back pain may be experienced during any point of your pregnancy; however, it most commonly occurs later in the pregnancy as the weight of the baby increases.

Back pain can disrupt your daily routine or interfere with a good night of sleep. The good news is there are steps you can take to manage the back pain that you experience.

You are not alone if you are experiencing back pain during your pregnancy. The prevalence varies with reports, showing between 50 to 70 percent of all pregnant women having back pain.

Back pain during pregnancy is related to a number of factors. Some women begin to experience lower back pain with the onset of pregnancy. Women who are most at risk for back pain are those who are overweight or had back pain prior to pregnancy. Here is a list of potential causes of back pain or discomfort during pregnancy:

• Increase of hormones – hormones released during pregnancy allow ligaments in the pelvic area to soften and the joints to become looser in preparation for the birthing process of your baby; this shift in joints and loosening of ligaments may affect the support your back normally experiences

• Center of gravity – your center of gravity will gradually move forward as your uterus and baby grow, which causes your posture to change

• Additional weight – your developing pregnancy and baby create additional weight that your back must support

• Posture or position – poor posture, excessive standing, and bending over can trigger or escalate the pain you experience in your back

• Stress – stress usually finds the weak spot in the body, and because of the changes in your pelvic area, you may experience an increase in back pain during stressful periods of your pregnancy.

Back pain may not be prevented completely, but there are things that you can do to reduce the severity or frequency. Here are a few steps you can take to help reduce the back pain you are experiencing:

• Use exercises approved by your health care provider that support and help strengthen the back and abdomen

• Avoid high heels and other shoes that do not provide adequate support

• Get plenty of rest

• Squat to pick up something versus bending over

• Make sure your back is aligned using a chiropractor

• Wear a support belt under your lower abdomen

• Avoid sleeping on your back

• Elevating your feet is also good for your back

• Purchase a support belt and a sleep aid pillow

There are a number of things you can do to treat back pain during pregnancy. Some of the steps you take to avoid back pain may also be used to treat current back pain. Here are some other common interventions:

• Ice or heat

• Braces or support devices

• Sleep on your side and use a support pillow under your knees

• Medications used to treat inflammation prescibed by your doctor

• Use a licensed health care professional such as a chiropractor or massage therapist.

Experiencing back pain itself is usually not a reason to contact your physician, but there are situations where contacting your physician is necessary. You want to contact your physician if you are experiencing any of the following:

• Severe back pain

• Rhythmic cramping pains; this could be a sign of preterm labor

• Increasingly severe or abrupt-onset of back pain Severe back pain may be related to pregnancy-associated osteoporosis, vertebral osteoarthritis, or septic arthritis. These are not common, but it is something your physician will examine if you are experiencing severe back pain.