Osteochondrosis during pregnancy

2023 Author: Alfred Shackley | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:14

Expectation of a child is an extraordinary happiness for parents. But carrying a baby is a real test and severe stress for the female body. Hormonal changes, toxicosis, edema, mood swings and, of course, exacerbation of chronic diseases against a background of weakened immunity.

One of such problems that once could bother a future mother, and then hid and did not show itself in any way, is osteochondrosis. Such an attack complicates the course of pregnancy and delivers a lot of discomfort to a woman, whose condition can hardly be called comfortable.

Educational program: what is osteochondrosis

What is osteochondrosis and why is it so dangerous? This is a disease in which the intervertebral discs and cartilage of the joints that make up the spine are affected.

In the skeleton of the spine:

• decrease in the amount of intervertebral fluid;
• thinning and abrasion of intervertebral discs constantly in contact with each other;
• loss of cartilage elasticity.

All these factors lead to pinching of the nerve endings and pain in the spine, as well as impaired blood circulation in the affected area, since the intervertebral discs squeeze the blood vessels.

Agree, the state is not pleasant. And for a pregnant woman it is catastrophic. The expectation of a miracle turns into sheer horror. Of course, if the disease does not in any way affect the internal organs and their work, pregnancy may well proceed without threats to the baby, however, the arising attacks of pain in osteochondrosis depress the general well-being of the expectant mother and, unfortunately, you still cannot do without problems.

This disease often provokes a change in the shape and size of the pelvis, so the question of natural childbirth is decided before the delivery itself. If the natural birth of a child is permissible, there is no need to be afraid of complications. If they (childbirth) are contraindicated for medical reasons, there is only one way out - a cesarean section. In any case, it is necessary to discuss everything with a specialist and, if you trust your doctor, follow his advice.

Why is this happening - osteochondrosis worries

Why does this ailment manifest itself so clearly during pregnancy?

The reasons are quite obvious:

• weight gain, and as a result, an increase in the load on the spine;
• change or metabolic disorder;
• crooked posture;
• inactive lifestyle;
• manifestation of this disease before pregnancy;
• probable flat feet in a pregnant woman.

Therefore, if you know that you have such a problem and want, at least a little, to secure your pregnancy from the inevitable exacerbation of the disease, consult a specialist even before conception. He, in turn, after a complete medical examination, will prescribe the appropriate course of treatment. This will be the most correct decision, otherwise 9 months of pregnancy will turn into sheer torment.

Manifestation of osteochondrosis during pregnancy

The symptomatology of a spine disease in expectant mothers is no different from its manifestations in a person in a normal state. The only thing is that pregnant women endure pain much harder due to the overstrain of the nervous system during the period of bearing a child. During pregnancy, everything is more difficult to bear, since the physical and emotional stress on the woman's body is colossal.

Symptoms typical for spinal disease are as follows:

• muscle spasms;
• numbness and aches in the limbs;
• aching back pain that occurs with sudden movements and aggravated by physical exertion and even coughing;
• violation of sensitivity in the affected area of the spine.

The manifestation of symptoms largely depends on which part of the spine is affected. Therefore, this disease is divided into types.

Types of osteochondrosis

The spine is divided into three main sections, where the intervertebral discs can fail, therefore, osteochondrosis is different:

• Cervical. Typical symptoms of this type are pain in the shoulders and arms, as well as severe headaches. Dizziness may begin, noises in the head, and colored spots or "flies" flicker in the eyes. It should also be noted that this type of osteochondrosis is much easier to cope with than the rest, since the neck can be warmed up with compresses from medicinal herbs.
• Lumbar. Manifested by pain in the lumbar region, which is reflected by pain in the lower extremities and sacrum. A pregnant woman, under no circumstances, should not make warming compresses and rub anything into the lower back. These procedures can harm your baby.
• Chest. In thoracic osteochondrosis, pain penetrates the chest, creating a "cola" sensation in the chest. Even from the back, it is not recommended to touch the breast during pregnancy: then this can negatively affect lactation.

During pregnancy, the treatment of osteochondrosis of any part of the spine is complicated by the fact that drug therapy is prohibited.

Spine treatment in pregnant women

Everyone knows the fact that the pharmaceutical industry of the 21st century is quite well developed and puts on the market many drugs that help almost all types of diseases. It remains only to find the "one" that is suitable for your case.

So it is with osteochondrosis: drug treatment is quite successful, but only for a person in a "normal state". If a problem arose during the period of carrying a baby, such therapy will have to be abandoned, since all the drugs used in such cases can adversely affect the development of the baby.

What to do if osteochondrosis has worsened or a woman has an interesting position? First, see your doctor. Self-medication will only complicate the situation and can lead to irreversible consequences for you and your baby. The specialist will assess the degree of your problem and will try to alleviate the condition by other available methods.

This can be wearing a corset, bandage or special shoes, as well as exercise therapy (physiotherapy exercises), which helps to reduce the load on the spine.

Few “desperate mothers” dare to resort to manual therapy, although doctors do not categorically recommend this method of treatment during pregnancy, due to the fact that it can lead to premature birth. Warming compresses from warm decoctions of St. John's wort, burdock, dandelion root, parsley help to get rid of the symptoms of osteochondrosis of the cervical spine quite effectively. However, this method of treatment is contraindicated in the lumbar and thoracic form of this ailment, since the increased temperature of the compress and the active substances of the medicinal solution can adversely affect the condition of the child.

And, of course, the generally accepted "procedures" for every pregnant woman in order, so to speak, treatment and prevention:

• Pay attention to your posture, trying to keep your back straight at all times.
• avoid physical inactivity, only light sports for pregnant women;
• walk more in the fresh air;
• eat right and keep track of your weight;
• on the recommendation of a doctor, you can attend special massage sessions.

Remember, osteochondrosis during pregnancy is almost impossible to treat, because not all non-drug methods are allowed, and drug therapy is prohibited at all.

Therefore, by all means, you need to try to alleviate your condition at least a little with available methods.

However, you do not need to self-medicate. Trust the doctor who monitors your pregnancy: he will give the necessary advice based on the research you have completed and make sure that the belly is not injured.