Compared to mothers in previous decades, many women who become pregnant are less physically active in their daily lives due to their careers. This leaves them under-prepared for the strenuous journey of carrying and delivering a baby. The number of pregnant women who experience back pain is somewhere between 50 to 70 percent. The reasons for back pain vary from woman to woman, but a majority of them can be triggered by:
- increase in hormones
- change in body’s center of gravity
- gaining additional weight
A comprehensive treatment program made by a physical therapist can address the typical triggers of pain for pre and postpartum mothers:
- posture
- joint alignment
- muscle strength
- flexibility
- nerve involvement
The most important focus of any good pregnancy program should focus on the stabilization of the core and pelvic floor muscles. These muscles are key for stabilizing your pelvis and lower back. Your core controls your mid and low back. Without a strong core, the change in the center of gravity will put additional stresses on your low back.
A good program will take both an active, exercise-based approach, as well as a passive one. The ultimate goal is to educate you about what your body is experiencing and what you need to do to be independent and reduce your complications. If you’re interested in talking to one of our therapists about your options for exercise during or after pregnancy, let us know!
Over the last 40 years, the average age of women having their first child
has risen, leading to new challenges.
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Additional weight, poor posture, stress, and a significant change to the center of gravity are all interwoven. A big belly moves your center of gravity forward, affecting your posture and making muscles work harder. In turn, the body fatigues quicker and many pregnant women start to slump forward. This poor alignment creates muscle tightness in the chest, neck, and shoulders. These forces are ultimately translated down to the low back, an area already under a great deal of stress. It’s a domino effect that can be slowed dramatically with the help of physical therapy. Some women are nervous to exercise during pregnancy, but it is very safe when done correctly.
Pregnancy is a Pain
Getting #MomStrong
The landscape of the workforce has shifted. Many women are juggling both the demands of pursuing higher education and holding down a job, all while trying to raise their families. This change has naturally led to an increase in the average age of a woman’s first pregnancy, rising from 21.4 to 25 years of age over the last 40 years. Luckily, medicine has come a long way in support for pre and postpartum mothers. In today’s medical world an increase like that in age isn’t as large of a risk to mother and child as in previous decades. However, the challenges of maintaining an active career while pregnant—let alone returning to that career postpartum—are often overlooked.