Muscles and bones

Muscles and bones

Pregnancy sees huge changes in your muscles and bones which, in turn, account for many general aches and pains. The increase in pregnancy hormones makes the ligaments and joints soften.

One of the benefits of this is that the pelvis can widen a little, to help accommodate your baby during the birth. But this 'laxity' in the joints may be a major cause of backache, as can the change in posture as your bump grows.

Round ligaments found on each side of the uterus hook it to the inside of the abdomen and hold it in place. As the uterus grows, the ligaments are pulled and stretched, which most often accounts for the aches and pains on the lower sides of your bump.

The combination of unstable joints, your growing baby and changes in your posture can result in pain. You might feel this in the lower back, hips, groin and lower abdomen, radiating down the inner thighs.

Anne Richley, midwife.