What to Do When You're Pregnant and Uncomfortable

You’ve got our sympathy. At least in terms of physical comfort, sometimes pregnancy just plain isn’t fun. There are ways to reduce the soreness, though.

A massage from your partner can help you feel better, as can stretching and light exercise. A few laps in the pool can work in two ways, both by strengthening your abdominal and lower back muscles and by taking some strain off of your joints and ligaments. Working on your posture is another biggie—proper alignment strengthens muscles and reduces strain. Simply shifting positions also might help a bit, and heating pads can offer soothing relief.

As with any pain, listen to your body and avoid activities that seem to make the pain worse, particularly those requiring extreme movements of your hips or spine. And try not to let the pain get you too down—delivery day is coming soon!

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.