Congratulations on your pregnancy!  The weeks and months ahead will bring many changes to your body, including the hormonal fluctuations that allow for fetal development.  These changes will impact many things in your body, including the musculoskeletal system.

Common but not necessarily “normal” complaints in pregnancy can include aches and pains.  From an orthopedic standpoint, this includes but is not limited to: 

• Low back pain

• Sciatica

• Hip and/or pelvic pain

• Groin pain

• Carpal tunnel syndrome 

Here are 2 tips to reduce your risk of developing pain in pregnancy:

1. Aim for “good posture” 

   • Sit and stand with symmetry and balance in your body.  Avoiding things like crossing your legs and shifting your hips to the side help more evenly distribute pressure through your hip, pelvic and spinal joints.

   • Sleep: again think of balance & symmetry.  Side-lying is probably the best position to achieve this in with a pillow between your legs and a prop under your abdomen to support that growing baby.

2. Stay active 

For most women with an uncomplicated pregnancy, physical activity carries many health benefits with minimal risk.  Safe exercise can include walking, swimming, biking, water aerobics, yoga and much more.  For more information

Staying healthy in pregnancy obviously entails much more than what is listed above including adequate rest, nutrition and appropriate self care.  If you do happen to develop any pain related conditions during your pregnancy, let your doctor know. Physical Therapy might help get you back on track!