Tips for dealing with shoulder pain during pregnancy

Shoulder pain during pregnancy is one of the most common conditions in pregnant women. Therefore, you should know the cause of your shoulder pain and take natural pain relief.

Shoulder pain is a very common problem facing most pregnant women. aFamilyToday Health will work with you to find out why this happens, how to reduce or prevent it, and what you can do to reduce the severity.

1. Causes of shoulder pain during pregnancy

Shoulder pain can be caused by a problem in the shoulder area, such as a shoulder joint pain or a symptom of damage to another part of the body. Some causes of shoulder pain during pregnancy are:

Pregnancy outside the uterus

Shoulder pain in early pregnancy can become a sign of an ectopic pregnancy. This is when the embryo attaches outside the uterine wall or in the fallopian tubes, resulting in pain that starts in the abdomen, then spreads to the head, shoulders and back. Of course, ectopic pregnancy is very dangerous, potentially life-threatening for the mother and requires immediate medical intervention.

Kidney stones

Greasy dishes trigger the secretion of a hormone that can increase the amount of calcium and cholesterol in the gallbladder. The fluid that passes through the bile ducts sometimes begins to solidify, which in turn forms stones and causes pain in the abdomen and then gradually radiates to the right shoulder or back.

Gain weight and change positions

Increased body weight and unbalanced posture increase the risk of shoulder pain. The abdominal muscles have to stretch and the incorrect positions cause the muscles to suffer a lot of pressure, thereby creating more pain in the shoulder or back.

Sleep

During the second and third trimesters, you should sleep on your left side to improve blood circulation. But this also has the potential to stretch and cause pain. Besides sleeping position, sleep also plays a role in managing musculoskeletal pain.

Preeclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is characterized by high blood pressure and high protein levels in the urine, but also causes right shoulder pain that originates in the liver.

Other causes

Sometimes shoulder pain during pregnancy can be caused by ulcers or digestive problems (like bloating, constipation, and indigestion).

Mental disorders, migraines, and tension headaches can also lead to stiffness, putting pressure in the body, causing pain in the back and movement toward the shoulders.

In rare cases, right shoulder pain may be caused by an endoscope done to check for ovarian cysts or any other disease during the second trimester.

2. Signs of shoulder pain during pregnancy

A dull pain like a sprain is accompanied by muscle stiffness or changes in sleeping position or hormonal changes.

Pain spread to the area of ​​the cervix, combined with a burning sensation in the developing eye accompanied by fatigue and tension.

Shoulder pain during the first trimester of pregnancy is often associated with nausea, vomiting, fainting, migraines, and low blood pressure.

Any of the symptoms listed above could be a cause for concern and should not be taken lightly to prevent dangerous complications affecting mother and baby.

3. How to deal with shoulder pain during pregnancy?

Since the use of pain relievers is not recommended for pregnant women, aFamilyToday Health will introduce a few natural solutions to treat shoulder pain during this time:

Use a cold compress on the sore shoulder to ease the pain

Lie on your back when you sleep with a pillow under your right back

Relax to avoid both psychological and physical stress

Do light stretching exercises under the supervision of a trainer

Drink a lot of water

Seek a nutritionist for advice on a healthy and balanced diet

Massage with essential oils

Physiotherapy such as yoga, swimming and acupressure will reduce pain, which in turn helps pregnant mothers feel better.

4. Medical measures to treat shoulder pain during pregnancy

Treatment includes medications to relieve pain and treat the underlying cause:

Ointments for topical and sprays to relieve pain and inflammation

If the pain is caused by an ectopic pregnancy, treatment depends on the mother's health and may include surgical intervention.

In the case of gallstones, a frugal diet and controlled medications are both necessary to manage this condition

5. How to prevent shoulder pain during pregnancy?

Take steps to avoid shoulder pain during pregnancy, such as:

Sleep properly in order to reduce the stress that builds up in the shoulder area

Eating rightly will prevent stomach problems that can cause shoulder pain

Maintain proper posture while standing, sitting, walking and sleeping to avoid shoulder pain

Have safe sex because sexually transmitted diseases can lead to scarring of the reproductive area, causing ectopic pregnancy

Limit tobacco smoke exposure to the maximum

Change your mattress if that's the cause of your back pain.

6. Frequently asked questions in pregnant mothers

How does shoulder bone pain during pregnancy develop?

Shoulder bone pain mainly occurs from an incorrect position, when your back and shoulders are protruding forward. Here, the shoulder blades begin to separate, causing pain over time. Most of us use this pose when driving, sitting at work, eating, or swimming.

What does shoulder headache during pregnancy mean?

A shoulder headache is an unusual pain you will feel in the head of your shoulder. This is one of the signs of an ectopic pregnancy.

Why does pain appear in the left arm and shoulder during pregnancy?

Pain in your left arm usually occurs if you have a joint injury or a pinched nerve. It can also be a symptom of a heart problem as well as shoulder, neck or back pain. You should check with your doctor if you see this continually occurring.

Remember that even the slightest discomfort during pregnancy needs attention. Causes of shoulder pain can come from common factors like disturbed sleep and the same more serious problems as ectopic pregnancy. Therefore, periodic health examination is always essential.