One of the most common pregnancy pain complaints is back pain. While most believe this is caused by weight gain, it’s mostly from your center of balance being off. The uterus stretches up to 1000 times its normal size during pregnancy and this causes your center of balance to be off and causes pain. There are some steps you can do to avoid further aggravating the pain, like bending from the knees when you lift something, which is a good idea pre and post-pregnancy as well.

Your bed may also be contributing to your back pain. If it’s not firm enough, you will likely be waking up with aches and pains. Of course, buying a nice, new mattress would be ideal but you don’t have to go that far. Simply putting a firm board or wooden slats down between the mattress and box spring may make a difference. While back pain is almost unavoidable during pregnancy, you can take steps to alleviate it.