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Pregnancy is a wonderful and transforming process, but it is also a period when your body undergoes dramatic changes, where it tries to sustain and support a new life. There are also numerous physical discomforts, such as joint problems in pregnancy, along with the excitement and anticipation of many women.
How Common is Joint Pain During Pregnancy?
The pain in joints is extremely prevalent in pregnant women. Research indicates that up to 70 percent of expectant women develop some kind of musculoskeletal pain, especially during pregnancy.
Most of the affected regions include:
- Hips and pelvis - take place because of loosening ligaments and readiness to deliver a child.
- Knees and ankles - due to the burden and retention of fluids.
- Lower back - with changing posture to suit the swelling belly.
- Wrists and fingers - in most cases, it is associated with swelling or carpal tunnel syndrome that is caused by pregnancy.
Although joint pain is regarded as one of the normal aspects of pregnancy, it should not be overlooked. Early response to pain will avoid additional pain and enable you to remain active and healthy.
What Causes Joint Pain During Pregnancy?
Pregnant women have joint pains that are normally a combination of factors. The most frequent causes are the following:
Hormones
The hormones in pregnancy, relaxing and progesterone, make your ligaments loose to be more flexible. This allows your pelvis to stretch in the case of delivery and also makes your joints less stable, creating aches and pains.
Weight Gain
The bigger your baby gets, the bigger the weight you have to carry. This further strains weight-bearing joints such as your hips, knees, and ankles and makes them sore and fatigued.
Postural Changes
Your swell belly moves your center of gravity, and as a result, you lean back and overcompensate as you stand or walk. This altered position stretches the back, pelvis and leg muscles and joints.
Edema and Circulatory Problems
Being pregnant enlarges the blood volume, and it can contribute to fluid retention, particularly in your legs and feet. This may cause joints to be stiff, swollen and painful.
When Do Pregnancy Hormones Peak?
The highest levels of relaxation occur in the first trimester, with levels beginning in week 10. The hormone levels return towards the end of pregnancy to prepare your body for labor and delivery.
This is the reason why there are those women who experience earlier joint pains and why they mostly build up in the lead-up to due dates.
What Hormone Loosens Joints During Pregnancy?
The most important hormone is relaxin, which softens the ligaments and joints during pregnancy. The key aim of it is to flexibilize the pelvic area so that the area is ready to give birth to the child. Nevertheless, relaxation does not only attack the pelvis, it spreads to other parts of the body as well including knees, ankles and even shoulders.
When Does Joint Pain Start in Pregnancy?
The discomfort period in joints is different among all expectant mothers. Here's what you can expect:
Pregnancy in the First Trimester:
As the level of relaxation goes up, mild aches of a hormone nature may start.
Mid-Pregnancy (Second Trimester):
The pain in your hips and pelvis is more evident when your belly expands with the change in posture.
Latent Pregnancy (Third Trimester):
Gaining weight is at its highest, swelling increases and pelvis pressure increases, which usually leads to pain in the knees, ankles and lower back.
Symptoms of Joint Pain During Pregnancy
Early awareness of the symptoms of joint pain can help you control symptoms. Common symptoms include:
- Rigidity, particularly following rest or sleep.
- Pitting edema in the knees, ankles or wrists.
- Joints crack or pop.
- Pain in movement which is aching or throbbing.
- Pain that increases during the night or after a long standing.
In case of intense or unexpected pain in your joints, consult your medical organization to eliminate other causes.
How to Relieve Joint Pain During Pregnancy
Pain in the joints during pregnancy must be managed in an approach that is non-aggressive and holistic. These are some of the relief methods that doctors approve:
Wear a Supportive Belly Band
A high-quality maternity belly band is one of the most effective and immediate ways of alleviating joint issues during pregnancy. A belly band offers your increasing belly and lower back with specific support, which relieves the pain in those regions due to the additional weight and the changed posture.
The Momcozy Ergonest Maternity Belly Band is sold exclusively to pregnant women in an attempt to provide the utmost comfort and stability during all three trimesters. This is a breathable and stretchy belly wrap like the basic belly wraps, but it fits your body and is comfortable to wear long, unlike the basic belly wrap, which is uncomfortable during working hours, running errands or resting at home.
The advantages of the maternity belly band are:
- Stabilisation of the core and pelvic strain.
- Enhancing posture and balance.
- To go more freely all day through.
- Decreasing the pain in the round ligament.
- Precautionary measures to promote joint health in exercise.
- Reducing stress in late pregnancy.
Light Stretching and Prenatal Yoga
Flexibility and stiffness are minimized with stretching. Specifically, pregnancy discomfort is relieved through prenatal yoga classes.
Elevate Your Legs
Elevation of legs above the heart decreases ankle and knee swelling.
Wear Supportive Shoes
Good arch support, flat and cushioned shoes can be of great help in lowering the pain in joints of the lower body.
Sleep on Your Side with a Pillow between Your Knees
This posture will assist in positioning your hips and pelvis, which will alleviate pain at night.
Exercises for Joint Pain in Pregnancy
Pregnant women can also do low-impact exercises that help to strengthen the muscles and stabilize the joints. Before beginning new exercises, always seek the permission of your doctor.
- Pelvic Tilts: This strengthens the lower back and decreases the pain in the hips.
- Prenatal Yoga: Cat-cow and child's pose will stretch the tight muscles.
- Aerobic Swimming or Water: This helps to decongest the joints as water supports the weight.
- Walking: Gentle walking preserves joint movement and circulation.
- Hip and Thigh Strengthening Exercises: Give added support to the joints of the pelvis.
Treatments to Avoid for Joint Pain During Pregnancy
Others are not safe when you are pregnant and should not be taken unless your doctor has given you the go-ahead:
- Strenuous physical exercises or weight lifting.
- NSAIDS such as ibuprofen (except when prescribed) are available over the counter.
- Hot tubs, saunas or heating beds on high.
- Massages performed in deep tissues by non-prenatal specialists.
- Alternative therapy whose effectiveness has not been proven yet.
Does Joint Pain Stop After Pregnancy?
Joint pain is a slowly fading problem in most women because hormones stabilize and pregnancy weight reduces. However, recovery takes time:
- It can also take several weeks before the ligaments can tighten up after birth.
- The supportive care can be continued, such as wearing the Momcozy Ergowrap Postpartum Belly Band, to facilitate the transition.
321,99 zł PLNPostpartum Support Comfort Effectiveness
- Light postpartum exercises are also known to accelerate healing and make joints strong again.
When to Talk to a Provider About Joint Pain During Pregnancy
Although some pain is normal, some of the symptoms can never be overlooked.
Contact your physician in case of:
- Extravagant swelling or colour of a single joint.
- Sudden, sharp or intense pain
- Fever or chills and pain in the joints (could be a case of infection)
- Limbic ambulation or functioning problems.
- Symptoms of preeclampsia include sudden swelling, headaches or a change in vision.
FAQs
Can you prevent joint pain during pregnancy?
Though there is no absolute prevention, by keeping active and keeping weight normal, and using supportive accessories such as maternity belly bands, you can alleviate the pain.
Where do you feel joint pain while pregnant?
Commonly, they are the hips, knees, ankles, lower back and the pelvic region.
Does relaxation affect all joints?
Yes, relaxin is spread in the body, ligaments are slackened not only in the pelvis, in various joints.
Can pregnancy trigger rheumatoid arthritis?
Pregnancy, in exceptional instances, may cause autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis in prone women.
What is pregnancy arthritis?
Pregnancy arthritis is a temporary arthritis problem that occurs because of hormonal alterations and fluid retention during pregnancy.
Conclusion
Problems with the joints during pregnancy are unbelievably widespread, but do not need to brighten up this particular period of your life. This can be done by learning the factors that may cause them, such as hormonal changes, weight gain, and posture alteration, and proceeding with preventative measures to keep your joints safe and you comfortable.
Wearing supportive materials such as the Momcozy Ergonest Maternity Belly Band. Safe exercises, being active, and understanding when to consult a doctor will help you find your way to manage discomfort and have a healthier pregnancy.
Please keep in mind that joint pain does not last long, and through proper treatment, your body will heal and bounce back after having a baby.
