The extra pounds you’ll put on from carrying your little one around are sure to give you a few problems. Even women with generally healthy pregnancies find body aches and pains to be common as they get further along. Part of this is due to the stress your body is under physically from supporting the weight gain while some of it is the direct result of joints softening to prepare for the safe delivery of your baby. If you’ve experienced pain or discomfort in your knees during your pregnancy, here are some things you can do to rectify the matter:
Visit the Doctor
If the knee pain you’re experiencing is excessive or extreme, it is best to visit a knee doctor for a full evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment recommendation. Extreme or excessive knee pain could indicate an injury, bone, or joint issue that requires medication or surgeries to treat. Your knee doctor will review solutions with you to determine which is safest for you and your child.
Pain Medication
Though it is not to be used in large quantities, if your knee pain is mild and sporadic, you can reduce the pain you’re experiencing by taking acetaminophen. Be sure to consult with your doctor prior to and never take any more than what is recommended.
Low Impact Exercising
Exercising is great for maintaining a healthy pregnancy weight, increasing the range of motion, and relieving joint pain. Try low-impact exercises like walking, jogging, or swimming which are known to be easier on the joints. Don’t over-exert yourself, however, because too much exercise could be bad for your pregnancy.
Take it Easy
Being on your feet all the time while you’re pregnant can have a significant impact on your joints and muscles. Therefore, every chance you get, prop your feet up. This will remove the weight and pressure from your knees allowing you to feel immediate relief.
Hot and Cold Therapy
Hot and cold therapy is ideal for treating injuries and relieving pain. You can try things like taking a hot or cold bath, placing a hot rag on the affected area, placing a bag of ice on the knee, or using a heating pad. Be mindful not to leave the hot compresses on for too long as this can cause bruising or burning of the skin.
Get a Massage
If ever there was a reason to treat yourself to something soothing, knee pain during pregnancy is certainly it. Massage therapy can be beneficial for reducing joint pain and improving your range of motion. The massage techniques your therapist uses help to release tension and improve circulation and can sometimes provide instant relief for your knee pain.
Proper Footwear
Your choice of footwear can also have a negative impact on your joints. Instead of opting for the more fashionable choice, select shoes that offer support and enough cushioning. Shoes that are well-padded help to absorb shocks which will eliminate or reduce the pressure on your knees.
Get a Brace
If your knee pain is significant or you’re always on your feet, a brace may be the best solution. They are elastic devices which are strapped to the knee. They provide additional support to the ligaments and tendons.
Before you shop for hinged knee braces or any other type of supportive device, you should consult with your doctor. They will help you choose the appropriate size and style for your needs.
Watch What You Eat
Though you’re eating for two, that doesn’t mean that you should indulge in whatever food you’d like. Eating the wrong things will still lead to weight gain that cannot be attributed to the pregnancy. Try to keep a healthy weight by eating lean meats, fruits, veggies, and drinking plenty of water. There are actually foods you can eat that help to relieve joint pain like pineapples, salmon, hot peppers, turmeric, and garlic. Try adding those to your diet for some daily relief.
Lifestyle Changes
There are certain things you may be doing that are causing your knees to hurt during pregnancy. For example, if you work a full-time job at a retail store that requires you to stand for hours at a time, you may need to ask for special accommodations like a stool to sit on or frequent breaks. Other things you may need to watch out for are picking up your older children while pregnant, eating a bunch of junk food (which puts on extra weight), heavy lifting, and more.
Your body is going to ache in places you didn’t even know existed as it changes to support the life of a child. Fortunately, for most pregnant women, knee pain is mild, sporadic, and goes away after the delivery of the baby. If you are, however, experiencing more frequent or extreme pain and have tried the above solutions to no avail, it is best to work with your knee doctor on resolutions.
Leave a Reply