No one takes the time to warn women how much pain they may experience after becoming pregnant. According to one study done by the National Library of Medicine, over 90% of women reported experiencing pregnancy pain, even among a sample of low-risk, uncomplicated pregnancies.
Of course, this seems like common knowledge to the woman bent in half on the couch while waiting for her child to choose their arrival date. So, what can you do if you’re in this situation? Here are some tips that can help you cope with pregnancy pain.
Increase Calcium Intake
Leg cramps are an extremely common source of pregnancy pain. If you find that you struggle with seizing leg muscles, consider upping your calcium intake. Have a chat with your doctor about adding a calcium supplement to alleviate the worst of your cramps.
Elevate Your Feet
The most obvious way to relieve pregnancy pain in the hips, legs, and feet is to give your feet some elevation at the end of the day. You spend all day carrying your own weight and the weight of your baby. All that gravity makes for a very tired lower body.
So, by elevating your feet and legs, you release some of the pressure that gravity places on you.
Use Heating Pads
Ah, heating pads. They’re a classic standby when dealing with period cramps, and they remain useful as a means to alleviate back pain during pregnancy. You can place that heating pad pretty much anywhere you’re experiencing pain to soothe and relax the area, so make sure you invest in a high-quality one that can stand up to constant use.
Visit a Chiropractor
Another way that you can reduce back and pelvic pain during pregnancy is to go to a chiropractor and have an adjustment done. These experts know the human spine and its interconnections like few others, and can find ways to release tension that you may not have even known that you had! Visit the website of Ribley Chiropractor to see an example of what an adjustment may be able to do for your pregnancy aches.
Eat Whole Foods
Hey, we get it. When cravings strike, they strike. However, indulging every late-night craving for a pickle-covered burger can have some detrimental effects on your pain tolerance. Give your body (and your developing baby) the tools that it needs to repair itself by eating a healthy, whole-food-based diet.
This can help you keep pregnancy weight gain in check, give you more energy, and reduce the amount of pain and soreness you experience.
Looking For More Ways to Manage Pregnancy Pain?
Finding ways to manage your pregnancy pain can be tough. If eating right, upping your calcium intake, and heading to a chiropractor haven’t been enough to fix the issue, you may feel like you’re at your wit’s end.
Never fear. For more tips, tricks, and treatments for pregnancy pain, visit the Health section of our blog. We update each day with more helpful, educational articles like this one.
