38 weeks of pregnancy, back pain, how long will it take to give birth

It is very common for women to experience back pain during pregnancy, but if it occurs in the late pregnancy, such as at 38 weeks, it is best to pay attention to it, as it may be a sign before delivery. However, not all pregnant women who experience back pain at 38 weeks are about to give birth. It may be caused by the baby compressing the lumbar spine. However, at 38 weeks of pregnancy, the fetus is already full-term and the baby may be born at any time.

I have back pain at 38 weeks of pregnancy. Is this the beginning of the birth?

What causes back pain in pregnant women? Pregnant women may experience back pain during pregnancy. The main causes of back pain are as follows:

1. Hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy.

Hormonal changes in the body after pregnancy can cause many pregnancy reactions in pregnant women, and back pain is one of them. After pregnancy, hormone changes in the body cause the pelvic ligaments to relax to adapt to the growth of the fetus and the needs of future delivery. This will also cause the ligaments and fascia in the waist to relax, reducing their elasticity, making them prone to strain and causing low back pain.

2. The placenta and amniotic fluid increase, and the lumbar spine is overloaded.

This is the main reason for back pain in pregnant women. After pregnancy, the fetus and its attached placenta, amniotic fluid, etc. grow larger and larger day by day, increasing the burden on the front of the lumbar spine. In order to maintain balance, pregnant women must contract their back muscles forcefully when standing, causing the pelvis to tilt forward, forming a unique straight back posture. The back muscles continue to contract and they cannot relax and rest. Over time, fatigue will cause back pain.

3. Reduced amount of exercise.

After pregnancy, the amount of exercise for pregnant women is greatly reduced. Some pregnant women even lie down or sit for a long time. Lack of exercise can also cause a decrease in basic physical strength, thereby causing back pain in pregnant women.

4. Insufficient calcium supplementation.

During pregnancy, the fetus needs a lot of nutrients such as calcium to develop. If these nutrients are not consumed enough, it can easily cause osteoporosis and decalcification in pregnant women, which can also cause back pain.

So, does lower back pain at 38 weeks of pregnancy mean that I am about to give birth?

Low back pain in the middle and late stages of pregnancy is mostly caused by the rapid development of the fetus, which causes the uterus to gradually enlarge and the abdomen to move forward. In order to maintain balance, the upper body tends to lean back, causing excessive lordosis of the spine and continuous tension in the back extensor muscles, resulting in excessive fatigue of the waist and back, which can easily lead to low back pain.

Can pregnant women with back pain get massage?

Pregnant women can have appropriate massage for back pain, but the massage technique should not be too heavy. You can use massage techniques such as pressing, kneading, rubbing, and wiping. However, overly rough massage may cause miscarriage, so if pregnant women need massage, they must be careful. Generally speaking, massage is not allowed in the three months before delivery. Moreover, during massage, pregnant women should not use hot compresses and plasters that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, such as musk analgesic ointment, blood circulation and analgesic ointment, as well as heat therapy, as these will be harmful to pregnant women and fetuses.

However, if the lower back pain is not particularly severe, the best way is to rest in bed. Choose a mattress that is not too soft so that the pressure can be evenly distributed. Sleeping on it can keep the spine in a normal physiological state, which is also helpful in relieving lower back pain. In addition, the following tips can help pregnant women relieve back pain:

1. Expectant mothers can tie a belt around their abdomen, or they can buy a special maternity belt to help support the waist so that it will not be so painful.

2. Eat foods rich in protein, calcium, vitamin B, vitamin C and D, such as eggs, milk and fresh vegetables. These foods can help relieve back pain in pregnant women.

3. Expectant mothers can choose some comfortable shoes. Flat shoes with heels of about 3 to 4 cm will be more comfortable.

4. Don’t sleep on a bed that is too soft, as it may cause your waist to sink and aggravate back pain.

5. Appropriate exercise is beneficial to the health of expectant mothers. Its purpose is to exercise fat muscles, increase physical strength, and also relieve back pain.