Aches and pains are very common in pregnancy and can range from mild to debilitating. You have a shift in your centre of gravity when you gain your pregnancy weight; your growing uterus can put pressure on your back and pelvis and change your gait and posture, and all of this, combined with hormonal changes, can put you at risk of more joint pain, back pain, and pelvic pain, as well as some of the other problems mentioned in this Unii article. You are unlikely to experience all of the below, but they are aches and pains to look out for when you are expecting.

Aches and Pains in Pregnancy

Breast pain and sensitivity are sometimes early signs of pregnancy. If they do not disappear after the first trimester or develop for the first time as a result of hormonal and weight changes later in pregnancy, you should look into a comfortable, supportive, professionally fitted bra and ask your doctor about pain medication if necessary.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can feel like a disaster, especially if you want to work right up until you take your maternity leave. It is caused by hormonal swelling and fluid retention in the wrists. Your doctor may refer you to a physiotherapist or give you advice on self-management, such as wearing a wrist splint at night, icing or elevating your wrists, using painkillers, and avoiding repetitive activities.
Haemorrhoids are incredibly embarrassing and typically develop as a result of hormonal changes. They can usually be managed with the same topical remedies that you would use if you were not pregnant.
Headaches can be a symptom of a number of conditions in pregnancy, including preeclampsia, and it is important to speak to your doctor about them. Anyone looking after you in pregnancy should know what you are already taking as medication that can help headaches can sometimes interact poorly with other medication.
Heartburn and digestive discomfort can happen as a result of hormonal changes, typically in the second or third trimester. You can typically ease them with antacids (check with your doctor before taking these), water, fibre-rich foods, gentle exercise, and by avoiding acidic foods and drinks.
Hip pain can be alleviated through massage, prenatal yoga, and physiotherapy. It tends to be caused by weight, gait, and hormonal changes in pregnancy. You could try sleeping with a pillow between your knees at night. If you have a habit of holding one of your other children on your hip, which is common, now is a good time to break it and/or pass the little one to your partner.
Leg cramps can be particularly bothersome at night. You may be able to alleviate them with regular walks, gentle stretching, and by rotating your feet and ankles, though it is important to stop or modify any activity that exacerbates the pain.
Lower back pain happens to most pregnant women. You do not need to grin and bear it. See a massage therapist or physiotherapist recommendation from your doctor. Try taking a prenatal yoga class or bouncing on a yoga ball, and strive to maintain good posture.
Pelvic Girdle Pain
Period-like pain or Braxton Hix Contractions: These can be early signs of labour and should be reported to your doctor or midwife as soon as possible. If you are assessed and found not to be in labour, they will typically resolve by themselves. You can’t have a period in pregnancy; any vaginal bleeding should also be checked out as quickly as possible.
Sacroiliac Joint Pain (SI pain): Sacroiliac joint pain typically emerges in the second trimester. You have two sacroiliac joints; they exist where your sacrum (tailbone) connects to your ilium (the winged part of your pelvis). It’s usually very stable, but your hormones make it less stable in pregnancy. This usually feels like dull or sharp pain in your lower back or upper thighs. You can improve it immediately by lying down. You can also treat it with massage, certain Pilates exercises, and physiotherapy. There are supportive belts available to prevent or alleviate this kind of pain in pregnancy.
Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction, or pain at the front of the pelvis, may be caused by either hormonal changes, the weight of your expanding uterus and baby on your pelvic area, or both. It can typically be managed with pain medication and physio-guided exercises.
Round Ligament Pain (“Lightning Crotch”): The round ligament is one of a pair of ligments that supports your uterus. It runs from the top of your uterus down toward the groin, where it connects to your leg and heads inwards towards the labia. As the uterus grows, it can pull on this ligament and cause shooting, tugging, or more consistent pain, especially when you are changing positions or make a sudden movement. It can last throughout pregnancy or resolve within a few weeks of it starting. There isn’t a lot you can do for it apart from taking it easy, getting as comfortable as you can, and perhaps applying a heating pad.
Sciatica: This is entrapment of the sciatic nerves, which travel down your back, through your glutes, and into the back of your legs. It usually pinches on just one side of your body because most people favour one side over the other, but you can have sciatic pain on both sides. Pregnancy-safe physical therapy and massage are usually recommended.
Painful varicose veins are influenced by your genes and weight but mainly caused by hormonal changes in pregnancy. They can usually be managed by avoiding rapid weight gain, elevating your legs, wearing compression stockings, and avoiding standing for long periods of time. If they don’t disappear after birth, you can treat them with laser therapy or surgery.
Your baby’s size and position: You are limited in how much you can do about this, and they are typically not the mother’s fault. These should not affect you too much until late in the pregnancy. An ECV may be recommended to alter the baby’s position if they are breech.

Preventing Pregnancy Pain

If your previous pregnancy experiences have been especially painful, we are sorry, but there are things you can do to make the next pregnancy easier. While some things that cause pain in pregnancy can’t be controlled—a transverse baby, for example, or a pre-existing injury that’s exacerbated by pregnancy changes—we do know that you can take positive pre-pregnancy steps to prevent pain. For example, a mum’s overall fitness level when she gets pregnant impacts the aches and pains she feels in pregnancy. Strength training is thought to help a lot, though even daily swims, walks, or Pilates can also help. Sadly, women often speak about exercise in terms of weight loss, and while it is important to maintain a healthy BMI when you are trying to conceive, being strong and fit is more important than looking skinny when you are trying to conceive.

Once you are pregnant, it is important to avoid rapid weight gain and anything that encourages poor posture, such as slumping on the sofa. You should also wear low heels or flats if high heels tend to hurt your back and take a good look at the handbag you carry every day—could its size and weight be straining your neck and shoulder? Research on the SI support belt mentioned above shows that not only can it alleviate pain in an active pregnancy, but wearing it can also make subsequent SI pain less likely.

Treating Pregnancy Pain

Talk to your doctor about how and where the pain manifests. They can both help with alleviating pain and check that your feeling isn’t part of an underlying problem. Always seek their approval before using any medication, even if it is over the counter, a natural remedy, or a pain relief device like a massage tool.
Antacids, drinking water, eating fibre-rich foods, and avoiding acidic foods can help with heartburn and indigestion.
See a pelvic health physio or other pregnancy-trained physiotherapist. It’s better to have someone guide you through pregnancy-safe exercises tailored to your needs rather than attempt these alone. Physiotherapists can also provide encouragement and support when you are worried about your changing body.
Maintain your healthy eating habits and light-to-moderate daily exercise regimen to keep your health and fitness up.
Have antenatal massages.
If something hurts you—climbing stairs, certain exercises—either modify the activity until it is comfortable or don’t do it at all.
Wear slip-on shoes and other clothes that are easy to pull on. You don’t need clothes to call you any extra stress or strain.

For more advice on taking care of yourself in pregnancy, labour, and birth, check out Unii’s Antenatal Classes, with prenatal video episodes taught by senior NHS midwives, an award-winning obstetrician and gynaecologist, and six other leading healthcare experts. Only at unii.com.

Antenatal Class Questions: How can I cope with prenatal aches and pains?