Gifts and Tips to Avoid Back Pain During Pregnancy

Gifts and ideas that can help expecting mothers relieve or avoid back pain

I have a related post about “Gifts for People with Back Pain” in which I introduced some gifts and gift ideas that can help us relieve back pains. Some of the items mentioned such as back braces, back mats or massage cushions are probably not suitable for expecting women. This post is a step further from the first post; here I’ll address how to avoid back pain during pregnancy and some practical gifts that are best suited for pregnant women in relieving and preventing pain. These are the things I collect from my families and friends and from various research.

Causes of lower back pain during pregnancy

Lower back pain is the most common complaint that doctors often hear from women in different stages of pregnancy. During pregnancy, the woman’s abdomen starts expanding, thus her lower back is pulled forward. This together with the additional weight gained during pregnancy put a lot more pressure on the back and causes back pain.

Below are some tips and gift ideas that can help with back pain relief during pregnancy. I’ll use “you” instead of “pregnant women” to make the conversation easier… You get the point.

Right posture

The simplest thing that you should do to reduce lower back pain during pregnancy is to keep the right posture – always standing and sitting straight with the shoulders held back. Sometimes it’s easier said than done, especially when you are in the later stage of pregnancy. A maternity support belt (similar to the regular back brace, but specifically designed for expecting women) should be a good products/gifts to help with maintaining the right posture and the right structure of your body while carrying the baby.

If your work requires sitting a lot, then choose a chair that can support your back. Also remember not to cross your legs while sitting and remember to take small walks to stretch yourself. If you have the luxury of working from home, try finding a comfortable nook or a comfortable chair at your local Office Depots, Target, Walmart or even online with Amazon. There are different kinds of office chairs; however, to make it more comfortable and pregnancy-friendly, you may need extra extra cushions for your middle back and lower back.

Body pillow for comfort and support

Also remember to keep the right posture while lying down and sleeping: lie on your sides and not your back. The recommended sleep position during pregnancy is sleep on the side (SOS). Sleeping on your left side is believed even better because it helps increase the amount of blood (thus nutrients) to be delivered to the placenta. You can keep a body pillow for support under the abdomen and in between your knees for complete support. This will reduce pressure from your back and keep the body in good posture and alignment. There is a special kind of body pillows with special design for expecting mothers, so check it out as I heard from a couple of my friends that the pillows provide lots of comfort and support when most needed – during sleep.

Healthy Diet

Remember to eat healthy and nutritious food that is good both for you and your baby’s health. Also remember to take supplements. Be cautious about gaining too much of weight, as it is harmful for both of you and will also put a strain on your back.

Together with having a healthy diet, you can also try to keep yourself active and even try to do some exercises after consulting your doctor. Be extremely cautious if you do some physical activities as you cannot afford to fall. Any good books about pregnancy will have a section about proper diet and exercising.

Comfortable Shoes

You should and can forget about those sexy high-heeled shoes, that’s for sure. With your pregnancy, wear low-heeled and comfortable footwear; fashion is secondary from now till at least after the baby arrives. High-heeled shoes increase the pressure on your back and also increase the possibility of falling, so wear responsibly. Soft footbed sandals and slippers made by Orthaheel and Birkenstock can help absorb the pressure on your back and feet, thus will help you alleviating or preventing pain. I’ve introduced them in another post about gift ideas for foot pain relief. Come and check it out if you have time. I’m wearing a pair of Birkenstock right now at home. My mom bought them for me and got me to wear them every time she sees me. (And the funny thing is I gave her the pair of Birkenstock first).

Relaxation massage

If the pain becomes unbearable, a relaxation massage or a session with a chiropractor should be worthwhile. You probably should consult with your doctor first before having any these additional treatments. At this stage (and any stages), better safe than sorry.

Lift with care or don’t lift at all

Be careful and not to lift or carry heavy things on your head; also try not to pick up stuff by bending over. Try to keep your back as straight as possible.

Last but not least, although pregnancy is usually accompanied by back pain, be sure to contact your doctor if the pain is not normal as it may be an indication for premature labor that may require immediate attention.

Hopefully the information above is useful and gives you, your friend or loved one a pain-free pregnancy. Best of luck with the new journey ahead! Until next time.