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  |  Pregnancy  |  Complications  |  Cramps and lower back pain
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Cramps and lower back pain

by Peg Plumbo

question
I am almost nine weeks pregnant. I have been in the habit of walking three miles a day, three days a week, but for the past five weeks I've experienced painful cramps in the front and in my lower back. When the cramps in the front go away, I am still left with a nagging pain in my lower back. I can also no longer go on long shopping trips, as the pain is almost unbearable after being out for more than an hour. I have also noticed a slight discharge; this is clear and kind of thin with no colour or odour. I have been to my surgery three times in the last two months: for a yearly smear, a follow-up of a colposcopy and for my first antenatal visit and I've had all of the blood and urine tests which are necessary.

answer
I would not worry about the discharge as long as it does not cause you any discomfort or irritation or have an odour. It is most likely a normal feature of your pregnancy. If there is ever any cervical inflammation, which includes the normally increased activity of pregnancy, the cervix will usually produce extra mucus. The pain may well be ligament pain or spasm (a stretching, burning kind of pain in the left and/or right lower quadrant). This is normal, and when the uterus becomes better supported by the pelvic brim (after about 20 weeks or so), this should gradually subside. Backache can also be related to bladder or kidney infection, of course, so be sure you do not have an underlying urinary infection (this is why you always take a urine sample to every antenatal visit with the GP or midwife). It is most probably the result of the natural softening of the supporting ligaments and disks due to the elevation of one the pregnancy hormones, progesterone. Don’t give up exercise, but stick to activities which are kind to your back. Walking is still fine, but running is hard on the back sometimes. Pelvic rock, bridging (on the floor with knees bent and lifting the buttocks into air), mini-crunches with bent knees and lifting the head on exhalation are good. Posture and good body mechanics are important to remember. Avoid bending over and curving your back, especially when lifting. Keep the curve in your lower back and your shoulders back. Specialised exercises are good, and most antenatal clinics have copies of these, which will be explained by the midwife, and are normally issued routinely to all antenatal patients. A referral to a physiotherapist can also be arranged, especially if you are worried or have had a previous back problem. They do a very thorough initial evaluation and teach body mechanics and exercises to prevent further trouble and keep you comfortable. I hope these problems soon resolve and you are able to enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.
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