Because of the added weight of the baby, many pregnant women experience large amounts of lower back pain. What many of these women don't know, however, is that this pain can be averted or mitigated in a number of different ways.

Back pain (also known as "dorsopathy") is pain felt in the human back that may come from the muscles, nerves, bones, joints or other structures in the spine. The pain may be constant or intermittent, stay in one place or refer or radiate to other areas. It may be a dull ache, or a sharp or piercing or burning sensation. The pain may be felt in the neck (and might radiate into the arm and hand), in the upper back, or in the low back (and might radiate into the leg or foot), and may include weakness or numbness.

Back pain is one of humanity's most frequent complaints. In the U.S., acute low back pain (also called lumbago) is the fifth most common reason for all physician visits. About nine out of ten adults experience back pain at some point in their life, and five out of ten working adults have back pain every year.

1. A Good Bed

An excellent mattress can do wonders for your back. If you are still sleeping on the same mattress that you have slept on for many years, then take a good look at it during early pregnancy. Is it still looking taut, or does it now sag in places? If it sags, then it has lost some of its support and will increase your chances of having back pain once you start to gain pregnancy weight.

2. Pillows

- As you enter your third trimester, you will need more pillows than ever before
- Pillows are invaluable as pregnancy back support
- Pillows balance all of your weight correctly
- Place one pillow between your knees if you sleep on your side

3. At The Workplace

You will want to ensure that your chair at work is ergodynamic but more than that, that it is adequate for support of a pregnant woman. Check with any health standards that your work chair complies with current legal guidelines so that you don't incur unnecessary damage owing to sitting on a badly supported chair. When driving, you may find that you need to add a small pillow for your lower back.