How To Avoid Shoulder Blade Pain During Early Pregnancy

Hormonal and physiological changes during pregnancy can cause shoulder blade pain during early pregnancy. Women experience this pain during the third trimester. As the body adjusts to give birth, the uterus shifts your center of gravity forward. This puts pressure on the back muscles. This pressure increased in the back and the release of hormones, relaxation. It can cause muscle spasms and irritation. As the baby grows this will have an effect on the posture of the spine.

Shoulder blade pain during early pregnancy can occur at any time, and for many reasons. In most cases, it is normal. It occurs because of changes in your muscles and joints. Reasons can include stretching your back, sleeping in a funny position, not having a good posture, and standing for too long. Common shoulder pain during pregnancy can feel stiffness or pain. It should not feel severe or burning pain.

What to know about shoulder blade pain during early pregnancy

There are cases during pregnancy where shoulder pain can indicate a serious problem. In the first weeks of pregnancy, severe shoulder pain may indicate an ectopic pregnancy. If you suspect this may be a possibility then it is important to seek treatment immediately. Most ectopic pregnancies have not been diagnosed until the mother experiences severe pain or bleeding. It is important to see your doctor right away if an untreated ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening.

The shoulder joint, along with other organs in the body, undergo many changes during pregnancy. A pregnant woman’s body produces a hormone called relaxin, which relaxes all the arteries in the body in preparation for childbirth. Opening of the arteries as well as changes in posture, standing and walking posture can cause shoulder pain in pregnant women. They are also more prone to sprains, bruises or falls which can turn a slight pain in the shoulder into a severe discomfort. Therefore, it is important to take care of your shoulder health during pregnancy.

During pregnancy a woman’s body releases chemicals to relax the arteries in the body and prepare for childbirth. As the arteries of the knees, hips, spine, neck and shoulders relax, there is a high risk of injury through vascular dysfunction and depression. Rapid weight gain and poor posture can also cause pressure and strain on the shoulders. Women should know this and work to maintain proper posture. When exercising, it is important to stick to low-impact activities or train a qualified pregnancy trainer.

Symptoms of shoulder blade pain during early pregnancy

  1. During early pregnancy, shoulder pain can be a symptom of something as simple as a bad night’s sleep. It may also indicate a more serious condition, which may require treatment.
  2. Shoulder pain during the first trimester may be accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, migraine, fainting, low blood pressure, and abnormal weight gain. These symptoms can be a cause for concern and need to be addressed.
  3. Sometimes, shoulder pain during pregnancy is due to changes in sleep posture, hormonal changes as well as muscle stiffness.
  4. Shoulder pain radiates to the cervical region and increases as the day progresses. It is generally accompanied by a burning sensation in the eyes and pain at the base of the skull and brings tension and fatigue.

Causes of shoulder blade pain during early pregnancy

Shoulder pain may be due to stress in the shoulder region. Or it may be a symptom of a underlying condition or injury to another part of the body. Some of the possible causes of shoulder blade pain during early pregnancy are;

Gallstones; During early digestion the pregnancy decreases and the bladder may disappear. This can lead to the formation of gallbladder, which causes severe abdominal pain and pain in the right shoulder. Constipation, gas and stomach ulcers can also cause similar pain. Pregnant women are advised to avoid eating spicy or fatty foods.

Constipation & bloating; In some cases, shoulder pain can be caused by stomach problems such as constipation, bloating, stomach and stomach ulcers. Similar forms of pain come out of the abdomen and spread to the back and legs.

Ectopic or tubal pregnancy; Shoulder pain during early pregnancy should be a sign of an ectopic pregnancy or a tube that requires immediate medical intervention. In this condition, the developing embryo begins to grow in the fallopian tubes or cervix instead of the uterus. This is indicated by a sharp, burning pain that begins in the abdomen and may radiate to the shoulder and back.

Sleep; During the second and third trimesters, you are advised to lie on your left side for improved blood circulation. But that can strain the left shoulder and can cause pain. In addition to sleeping posture, sleep itself can play a role in managing muscle pain.

Pre-eclampsia; is a problem, it is thought before eclampsia is caused by substances that produce the placenta, which enter the mother’s bloodstream and cause health problems. High blood pressure is the most important symptom of pre-eclampsia. If you have shoulder pain be sure to ask your doctor to check your blood pressure at each visit.

Weight gain and posture change; Increasing body weight and unbalanced posture can increase the risk of shoulder pain. Stretching abdominal muscles, prolonged bad posture, or sudden pulling on muscles can also spread pain to the shoulders.

Preeclampsia; Known for high blood pressure and protein levels in the urine, preeclampsia can also cause right shoulder pain, which can come from the liver, located below the right ribs.

Preventing shoulder blade pain during early pregnancy

Your body is changing to withstand the miracle of childbirth. This should stimulate healthy changes in the lifestyle of the pregnant woman. Only when you make a good choice can you avoid the triggers for shoulder pain. The best way to blade pain during early pregnancy is to stay healthy. Here are some tips to prevent shoulder pain:

Tips to balance your blood pressure during early pregnancy include;
  • drink plenty of water every day
  • reduce salt in your diet
  • add more protein to your diet
  • keep your feet up when you can
  • avoid standing for too long
  • get light exercise every day

Treatment of shoulder blade pain during early pregnancy

Since the use of painkillers is not recommended for pregnant women, here are a few natural ways you can try to control shoulder blade pain during early pregnancy. Treatment includes medications that can reduce pain and that underlying cause.

1. Take over-the-counter pain relievers

Your doctor may recommend short-term use of an over-the-counter medication like acetaminophen to help control pain blade pregnancy early. However, Ruiz says you should not use anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen during the third trimester because it can have serious side effects for your baby. Always consult your doctor before taking any OTC medication or medication during pregnancy.

2. Apply heat to the area

Epsom warm and salty baths can bring relief, such as a heating pad placed on your hips, knees, or lower back. Reminds you to be careful not to burn yourself with a heating pad. Use flannel bags filled with rice that you light a fire in the microwave as it repairs any part of the body that is painful.

3. Exercise regularly

Exercising regular shoulder pain early pregnancy can help you stay upright, keep your muscles strong, and reduce shoulder pain. As you move throughout pregnancy, lower back pain will occur. For all types of joint pain, it recommends prenatal yoga, prenatal Pilates, and swimming, especially since you can practice all three types during pregnancy. You can;

  • Lie on your back with your knees bent and the legs are up and down, close to the width of the hips. Keep your pelvis back and forth in a neutral position.
  • Inhale to prepare, then inhale and perform Kegel.
  • Draw a little abs down with Kegel. Inhale and relax the abs and pelvic floor. Exhale and repeat contraction.

4. Use a belly band

belly band for shoulder blade pain during early pregnancy

Experts recommend wearing a belly band, from the middle to the end of the third trimester, to support the abdomen. This can help reduce lower back pain as well as joint ligament pain, which is not necessarily related to the joint, but is also a common complaint. Round ligament pain occurs when the arteries that support the uterus stretch. This can cause severe pain in the abdominal or hip area.

5. See a doctor

Always consult your doctor if you have any unusual, new, or surprising symptoms during early pregnancy, as well as severe shoulder pain or pain that you do not experience. Call your doctor and get immediate medical attention if you think you may have an ectopic pregnancy or if you feel any kind of acute, intense pain. You may need emergency treatment or even surgery to help prevent serious complications from ectopic pregnancy. You can ask your doctor;

  1. I have pain in the tip of my shoulders. Some pregnant women experience pain at the tip of the shoulders, where the hands begin. This is rare and one of the signs of an ectopic pregnancy.
  2. Why is there pain between my shoulders? This is called blade pain and occurs because of poor posture, i.e. while the upper back and shoulders bend forward. The pain is due to the fact that the shoulder separates from each other. Driving, staying at work for a long time, eating or swimming can exacerbate this condition.
  3. What should I do with pain in my left arm and shoulder? Shoulder pain can occur as a result of compression of the nerve or joint injury. It can also be a symptom of heart disease. You should be checked by your doctor immediately.
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