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Pregnancy causes changes in almost every part of a mother’s body. A person’s center of gravity can shift, organs move to accommodate the growing baby, and muscles and joints also become tense.
The third trimester is a highly anticipated period. In a few more weeks, your little one will finally arrive. One of the symptoms during the third trimester can be pain.
It’s important to know what’s normal and what’s not, especially when it comes to any discomfort you might feel during the third trimester.
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My body ached all over when I was 9 months pregnant
Quoting Healthline, hormones are not the only thing that makes changes to the body as the baby develops. As mentioned at the beginning, mechanical changes in muscle and ligament structure can change the center of gravity, and increased weight changes the amount of pressure you experience in various areas of the body.
Even the circulatory system can become stressed during pregnancy, you know. This causes problems such as soft tissue pain due to fluid retention.
Nerve pain is also common, caused by nerve compression due to weight gain or uterine pressure. The sciatic nerve is often affected in late pregnancy and sometimes even after delivery. Apart from pain, sciatica during pregnancy can cause symptoms such as:
Muscle weakness. Loss of functional ability. Weight gain. Improper posture.
These symptoms are caused by weight gain during pregnancy and the position of the uterus and growing baby. These changes put pressure on the sciatic nerve, limiting the strength of the signals passing through it. This pain often goes away after delivery but may continue into the postpartum period.
Types of pain that 9 months pregnant women can experience
There are several types of pain that pregnant women can experience in the third trimester, especially when they are 9 months pregnant. The following types of pain:
1. Stomach ache
Stomach pain in the third trimester can include gas, constipation, and Braxton-Hicks contractions (false labor). Although this can cause abdominal discomfort, it does not cause excessive pain.
More severe and concerning stomach pain can be caused by:
Urinary tract infection (UTI). Preeclampsia, a condition that causes high blood pressure during pregnancy. Placental abruption, a condition that occurs when the placenta separates from the uterus too early.
Contact a doctor if you experience:
Vaginal bleeding Fever Chills Dizziness Nausea Vomiting
2. Lower back and hip pain
As the body undergoes further changes in preparation for childbirth, hormone levels increase causing connective tissue to relax. This increases pelvic flexibility so that the baby can pass through the birth canal more easily.
However, women often experience hip pain because the connective tissue loosens and stretches. Lower back pain can also occur along with hip pain, as changes in posture can cause you to lean more to one side or the other.
Call your doctor if the pain gets worse or if you feel pressure radiating to your thigh. These could be signs of premature labor. Pregnant women should also contact their doctor if the pain is accompanied by stomach cramps, contractions that occur approximately 10 minutes apart, or vaginal discharge that is clear, pink, or brown.
3. Sciatica
The sciatic nerve is a long nerve that runs from the lower back down to the legs. When pain occurs along this nerve, the condition is known as sciatica.
Many pregnant women experience sciatica during pregnancy because the enlarging uterus presses on the sciatic nerve. This increased pressure causes pain, tingling, or numbness in the lower back, buttocks, and thighs. It may affect one side or both sides of the body. Although the pain of sciatica is uncomfortable, it will not harm the growing baby.
4. Pain in the vagina
Vaginal pain during the third trimester can make you anxious and stressed. Pregnant women may wonder if the baby will be born or whether the pain is a sign that something is wrong.
The answer depends on the severity of the pain. Some women experience sharp, shooting pain in the vagina. This potentially indicates that the cervix is dilating in preparation for delivery.
Pregnant women should immediately contact a doctor if they experience any of the following:
Severe vaginal pain. Severe pain in the vagina. Severe pain in the lower abdomen. Vaginal bleeding.
Even if these symptoms are nothing to worry about, it’s best to get confirmation from a doctor.
How to deal with body aches when you are 9 months pregnant
There are several ways to deal with body aches during 9 months of pregnancy. Here’s how to relieve body aches during pregnancy, quoted from BabyCenter:
To relieve muscle aches and body aches during pregnancy, lie down, relax, and apply heat and/or cold to the affected area. Cold compresses can reduce inflammation and help relieve muscle and back pain. To provide warmth to the body, you can use an electric heating pad, hot water bottle, or microwave pad containing flax seeds. Do not apply hot compresses to the stomach for more than ten minutes. Do not raise the internal temperature too much, as this can affect the baby’s development. Keep exercising. One of the best strategies for preventing and treating body aches during pregnancy is to stay physically active. While it may seem counterintuitive, exercise helps relieve all sorts of common pregnancy complaints, from back pain to constipation and gas. Pregnancy-safe exercise helps prevent pregnancy weight gain, strengthens and stretches muscles, improves posture, and supports blood circulation. Especially to relieve back and hip pain, sit in a supportive chair. Use proper form for lifting heavier objects, and try to avoid standing for long periods of time if possible.
If these tips don’t help, talk to your doctor about whether it’s a good idea to take pregnancy-safe painkillers (usually paracetamol). Pregnant women can also ask for a referral to a physical therapist from an obstetrician or midwife.
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