Bottom Line:
A woman’s body undergoes many transformations during the nine months of pregnancy. Some of these changes are visible, such as an expanding belly, while others, such as morning sickness and backaches, may not be as visible but are equally well known. Then there a few body changes are often unexpected and catch some women by surprise.

Why it Matters:
During pregnancy, the hormone Relaxin is produced to help loosen the joints and ligaments of the pelvis to best prepare the body for birth. Relaxin not only relaxes those ligaments in the pelvis, but also stretches other joints and ligaments all over the body.

This is one reason pregnant women develop back pain or sciatica (pain that starts in the back and travels down the leg into the foot).

As those ligaments become looser and the body’s center of gravity is pulled forward by the growing baby, a woman’s low back can become over-stressed by these biomechanical changes, resulting in pain.

• Relaxin is a hormone produced during pregnancy that relaxes the joints and ligaments to prepare the body for birth.
• Relaxin affects all joints and ligaments of the body not just those of the pelvis, which can lead to additional changes in the body’s movement patterns.
• These changes can often result in low back pain and other joint pains throughout pregnancy.

Next Steps:
Pregnancy is a special time in a woman’s life, and a unique time for the body. The changes that help guide a successful birth process can also wreak havoc on a woman’s back and joints. If you, or an expecting mother you know, are looking to find natural pain relief solutions, give us a call. We are happy to evaluate you and work with your birth team to provide non-invasive, safe, effective care that can help keep you active through all three trimesters!

Science Source(s):
(1) Back Pain in Pregnancy. University of Rochester Medical Center. 2020.