What You Can Do to Alleviate Pregnancy Back Pain
July 16, 2009 by
Filed under Pregnancy Fitness, Pregnancy Health
The strain of pregnancy can take its toll on your body, and one of the most common complaints women report in pregnancy is back pain. Although it may not be possible to completely get rid of pregnancy back pain, there are things that you can do that will help minimize the amount of pregnancy back pain that you have.
Because you’re pregnant, you are limited to what you can do to try to alleviate your back pain. Besides Extra Strength Tylenol, there isn’t much that you are allowed to take for pain. For muscle pain, you would usually take an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as Ibuprofen, but pregnant women are advised to stay away from them. So you need to look into alternative methods of treatment for your pregnancy back pain.
Using liberal application of heat and ice is a good way to deal with pregnancy back pain without drugs. The heat will relax the muscles while the ice pack will numb the area to relieve pain. Alternate between the two for 20 to 30 minutes, but always be sure not to apply the hot or cold packs directly to your skin, as it can cause irritation. Make sure that you always wrap the packs into a towel.
Another way to apply heat to relieve your pregnancy back pain is to take a bath. Just make sure that the water isn’t too hot; you don’t want to raise your internal body temperature too much. But a warm bath can do wonders to relieve sore and painful muscles. Adding Epsom salts to the bath can help you relax even more.
Many women also find that massage is useful in relieving their pregnancy back pain. You can either get your partner or a friend to do it, or you can also go to a massage therapist that specializes in pregnancy massage. Going to a professional could be very helpful, as they have dealt with pregnancy back pain many times and will know just what to do to help you relax your muscles and much as possible and give you relief from the aches and pains.
Strengthening your core muscles (the ones around your torso, including your abdominals and back muscles) can also help prevent pregnancy back pain in the first place. The stronger your muscles are, the less strain you will feel on them as your pregnancy progresses. Yoga and pilates are both well known types of exercise that can help strengthen your core.
So, although you can’t take the pain reliever you would have normally reached for, there are things that you can do to alleviate your pregnancy back pain. To find out other ways to minimize your pregnancy back pain and other ways to stay healthy during your pregnancy, Click Here Now to Check Out Pregnancy Without Pounds for Yourself.
Pregnancy Health – Maintaining Yourself
July 15, 2009 by
Filed under Pregnancy Fitness, Pregnancy Health
Pregnancy brings in joy with the ever-increasing waistline, pains and aches. The body undergoes a tremendous change due to shifting of hormones. The skin changes, there are stretch marks and dark patches on the facial skin. Weight gain results in sleeping troubles, poor digestion, frequent urination, constipation etc. These are just a few symptoms of pregnancy. Since these changes take place gradually, one starts adjusting to them in anticipation of the joy it will bring after nine months. It is very important to maintain the pregnancy health and go through the process with a relaxed and happy state of mind.
Maintaining Pregnancy Health
With the onset of early signs of pregnancy, prepare yourself for the new changes in your life. Stay happy and comfortable. Consult your doctor for any problems and adjust your lifestyle to surmount the initial irritating body changes with more rest and relaxation. Follow a few tips for better pregnancy health.
Tender breasts: Wear a soft, comfortable maternity or nursing bra with extra support. Apply heavy moisturizing cream to cracked nipples after washing with water only.
Dizziness: Expanding uterus puts pressure on blood vessels, plus the nausea and vomiting can make one feel dizzy or light headed. To overcome this problem, maintain pregnancy health with frequent but small meals. Avoid standing or sitting in one position for long, lay down on your left side to relax, stand up slowly and do not let your body get over heated.
Hemorrhoids: They too are caused due to increasing pressure on the rectal veins and constipation. To prevent hemorrhoids drink lots of fluids, take fiber rich food and do not strain the bowel while evacuating.
Leg cramps: As the body weight increases and change in metabolization takes place, the pressure on legs and feet increases. Eat low-fat calcium rich food, go for short walks, stretch and flex leg and foot muscles, use heating pads to ease the leg cramps.
Swelling: A significant weight gain during pregnancy can result in swelling and puffiness. It could be a sign of high blood pressure or toxemia, consult the doctor immediately. To avoid swelling and to maintain a good pregnancy health, avoid salty foods and caffeine. Rest with your feet elevated and drink at least eight glasses of water to keep your body hydrated.
Teeth and gum problems: Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth regularly; avoid eating sweets and take high calcium diet. Oral bacteria due to gum disease can harm the fetus and result in either low-birth weight baby or premature delivery.
Similarly take all natural preventive measures to combat the various other changes in the body due to the pregnancy. Feel free to call your doctor in an event of vaginal discharge, bleeding, fever or chills, pain in abdomen or any abnormal discomfort. Good pregnancy health results in a happier you and healthier baby.
Apurva Shree is the online editor of free pregnancy information resource http://www.earlypregnancy-symptom.info She has developed this site to provide valuable information on early pregnancy symptoms and useful methods to enjoy your pregnancy period and the ways in which you welcome your new world of motherhood. http://www.earlypregnancy-symptom.info is your free resource that not only provides information on early pregnancy symptoms but the other aspects of pregnancy too.


