Pregnancy Back Pain Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore

Most back pain during pregnancy is nothing more than a nuisance. But back pain coupled with other symptoms may warrant a call to a health care provider.

Medically reviewed by Alyssa Dweck, MS, MD, FACOG

If you have a baby on the way, it's normal to find yourself experiencing back pain—and wondering if your symptoms are typical, or indicative of something more concerning. It may be helpful to know that back pain during pregnancy is very common; research suggests that between 50% and 80% of pregnant people will experience it at some point during their pregnancy. The discomfort, while definitely a source of distress, is usually not a sign of any danger to either you or your baby. But there are some symptoms that are important to get checked out.

If you're worried about pregnancy back pain (or anything else for that matter), don't be shy about bringing it to the attention of a health care provider. "This is what your OB is there for," says Mary Rosser, MD, PhD, an OB-GYN at the Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York. "If you have any doubt, give them a call." At the very least, you might get some tips on how to relieve your pain—and the reassurance that you're not alone.

Are you wondering, "When should I worry about back pain during pregnancy?" Read on for the signs that it's time to call a health care provider about your back pain.

Related: 14 Remedies for Pregnancy Back Pain

You Have Vaginal Bleeding or Uterine Tightening

Sometimes back pain during pregnancy is a red flag that something more serious is going on. Among the most worrisome causes of pregnancy back pain is preterm labor. Dr. Rosser advises watching for pain that is "new" and "cyclical," which could be a sign of uterine contractions, along with vaginal bleeding or any change in vaginal discharge that could indicate an issue with the placenta or an early rupture of your waters.

Damla Karsan Dryden, MD, an OB-GYN at Texas Children's Pavilion for Women in Houston, tells patients to watch for an abdominal sensation that might be described as a "tightening uterus," which could be painless or feel like mild, period-like cramping. If this sensation is accompanied by back pain that comes and goes at regular intervals, they could be uterine contractions, which can indicate preterm labor.

Related: Your Pregnancy Symptoms Week by Week

You Have a Lower Backache Paired With a Fever

A fever, when accompanied by a dull ache across your lower back or along the sides of your back between the ribs and hips, could be a sign of a kidney or bladder infection that needs immediate attention and treatment with antibiotics, Dr. Rosser says.

Keep in mind, though, that as the pregnancy advances, the growing uterus puts pressure on the bladder, so frequent or urgent urination is common and normal. But if these symptoms also include painful urination, blood in the urine, chills, or fever, these may be signs of kidney or urinary tract issues such as a urinary tract infection, and treatment may be needed. In some cases, bladder infections can cause the uterus to contract, so see a health care provider for a prompt diagnosis.

You're Experiencing Numbness in Your Back

Although periodic feelings of numbness aren't usually worrisome during pregnancy, they could signify compression of the sciatic nerve or other nerves that connect your spine to the lower body and pelvic area. Sciatic nerve pain is common during pregnancy, and you may be able to find relief by working with a chiropractor or physical therapist to open up the area and keep oxygen-rich blood flowing freely.

But if you experience numbness, tingling, or a sharp, shooting pain in your buttocks, legs, or feet, call a health care provider to make sure there are no serious conditions.

Related: What Back Labor Is Really Like

You're Experiencing Sudden and Intense Back Pain

Back pain that comes on suddenly and severely—and without an apparent cause—should be examined to rule out the rare but painful conditions of pregnancy-association osteoporosis and arthritis. However, keep in mind that osteoporosis is relatively unusual during pregnancy when the expecting parent is of a younger age.

Sudden back pain could also be caused by other things, such as placental abruption or a kidney stone, both of which should be examined promptly by a health care provider.

Also, if you experience back pain following a physical trauma, such as a fall or a car accident, contact a health care provider immediately to rule out any serious injury to yourself or the baby.

The Bottom Line

You have a lot on your mind when you're expecting, so there's no need to add back pain to your worry list. But if the pain is severe or comes with other symptoms, talk to a health care provider.

"Don't wait until the pain is so severe that you can't do anything," says Colleen Fitzgerald, MD, medical director of the Chronic Pelvic Pain Program at Loyola University Health System in Maywood, Illinois. "Don't accept that pain is a normal part of pregnancy. Mild to moderate pain that limits function or activity is worth treating, and [treatment] can stop the progression to more severe or even chronic pelvic girdle pain."

So talk to a health care provider for approved pain relief techniques. Starting them early can help prevent escalating back pain during pregnancy.

For more Parents news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Parents.