You are questioning whether you could be pregnant yet that nagging backache is signaling that your period may be on its way. Seeing that positive result may be a lifetime goal or maybe your life isn’t ready to accept a new chapter just yet. Suffering from back pain before BFP can confuse any of us.
Back Pain Before BFP – Am I Pregnant?
Many women can suffer from mild to severe lower back pain before BFP. Backache during early pregnancy can arise alongside cramping which would usually point to the arrival of your period. From implantation, your uterus is preparing to expand meaning it is slowly putting pressure on your joints and other organs. Exercises can help to alleviate pain.
What is Happening?
So you suspect you could be looking at a BFP sometime soon but you feel too nervous? You wouldn’t be alone.
Many women who try to get pregnant find themselves questioning their body’s reactions, what’s normal? Why am I in pain? The back pain felt in early pregnancy is very similar to that which you can get before aunt Flo arrives.
Early pregnancy comes with a mirage of symptoms, most not being very glamorous. From morning sickness, sore breasts, and backache you can feel completely out of sorts in those first few weeks.
Wait!.. back pain?
That surely only happens when you are carrying a pumpkin right? Not when your baby is a poppy seed?
Wrong! Many women can suffer from both upper and lower back pain during early pregnancy. In fact, this is probably the most misleading symptom you can have especially if it is coupled with implantation cramping.
Lower Back Pain Before BFP
Many women report having lower back pain before getting that positive test!
The discomfort can be described as anything from a nagging ache to a sharp electric shock. Either way, it is totally normal to suffer from back pain this early.
What’s To Blame?
According to Mr Bob Chatterjee, an expert Consultant Spinal Surgeon, “Back pain during the early stages of pregnancy is more common than you’d think. The back muscles and joints are overloaded as the pelvic muscles and ligaments are loosened.”
‣ Hormones
Essential for our bodies to work in harmonious order they have some cruel side effects especially when you fall pregnant.
OK, so your hormones are doing a crazy dance at the moment, preparing your body to welcome a growing fertilized fetus. I like to think of them as fast-paced bell boys in a top-of-the-range hotel making it perfect for their very special guest of honor!
Needless to say, the increase of Relaxin and Progesterone can help loosen your joints in your pelvis from even these early days. The fact that your pelvis is told to relax can mean that your back takes on this burden creating both lower and upper back pain before BFP.
Why Do I Have Back Pain Before BFP?
It is totally normal to feel backache in early pregnancy. We have already gone through what could be the main causes, thank you hormones!
But what about if you are really struggling? For many of us, early pregnancy is a fog of worry and stress. The likelihood of miscarriage in this trimester is fairly high coupled with any pain can cause your stress levels to rocket. This can increase your pain severity as you are overall more tense coupled with getting on with your day to day routine you may find that it is all contributing to your already sensitive joints in your back.
Ways To Relieve Extreme Back Pain Before BFP
Struggling with pain can alter your entire day, we don’t actually give our muscles and joints enough credit until an issue arises. It is only when we are suffering you notice how often we use our muscles.
According to the American Pregnancy Association 50 – 75% of women can suffer from back pain in early pregnancy even before they receive a positive result. So before the vicious circle of worry that you will be faced with a negative test take a look at ways you can cope with back pain in those early days.
- Posture- Take note now of how you are sitting, is your back straight? Are you slouching? Neck tilted looking at your cell? Each of these elements can exacerbate back pain. Ensuring you are helping your already pressured spine by keeping a straight back. Whether it’s sitting or standing, raising your chin will help remind you to sit upright.
- Sleep- We can’t control our sleeping positions yet we can add support. Sleeping on your left and adding a few extra pillows can help take the strain from your back muscles, as your pregnancy progresses you can buy specialist pillows that can give you all round support for your back and bump so providing your partner doesn’t mind sharing your bed with the equivalent of another human go for it! Anything for a restful sleep!
- Shoes- Your feet take a beating when you are pregnant. They deal with the extra weight and pelvic adjustment so make sure you have comfortable flat supportive footwear will help.
- Heat Therapy- I swear by heat therapy! If you are awaiting that all important BFP result then you may be cautious about taking medication to relieve pain. Using heat, whether it’s a water bottle, heat pad or microwave packs can relax those tense muscles and encourage your body’s natural pain killers (endorphins) to kick in.
- Exercise- Low intensity exercise is a great way of keeping your muscles moving and helping to keep those loose joints strong. Always consider medical advice before undertaking any new exercise regime.
Wrapping Up
It is quite clear that suffering from back pain before BFP is considered normal. It is not the extra weight that is putting pressure on your joints just yet but everything is preparing to loosen up to provide the extra space.
Have a go at some of the tips to help get through this nagging time and when you get your BFP you can feel better knowing your body is only doing its best to provide for your developing baby.
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