Sitting can become painful during pregnancy primarily because of the physical changes your body undergoes as the baby grows.
The Impact of Pregnancy on Posture and Pressure
As your pregnancy progresses and your abdomen expands, your body's center of balance is altered. This change naturally causes your posture to shift. This altered posture places additional pressure on areas like your low back and tailbone (coccyx). These areas are typically not designed to bear significant weight, but they experience increased strain during pregnancy.
Furthermore, the growing baby inside your womb can directly press on your tailbone. This pressure, combined with the altered balance and shifted posture, makes activities that involve putting weight on this area, such as sitting and even standing, potentially painful.
Essentially, the added weight and altered mechanics of your body, along with direct pressure from the baby, contribute to discomfort or pain when sitting.
Why This Happens: Key Factors
Based on the physical changes described, the main reasons sitting can hurt include:
- Shifting Posture: The expanding abdomen changes how you hold yourself.
- Added Pressure: This new posture and weight distribution put pressure on your lower back and tailbone.
- Baby's Position: The baby's growth can cause it to press directly against the tailbone.
These factors combine to make sitting uncomfortable or painful, especially for extended periods.
Finding Relief When Sitting
While these changes are a normal part of pregnancy, there are ways to potentially alleviate some of the discomfort:
- Use Support: Consider using a wedge cushion or a donut pillow specifically designed to relieve pressure on the tailbone.
- Adjust Your Seat: Ensure the chair provides good lumbar support. Use a rolled towel or small pillow behind your lower back if needed.
- Regular Breaks: Stand up and walk around frequently if you have to sit for long periods.
- Lean Forward Slightly: Sometimes, leaning slightly forward can reduce pressure on the tailbone compared to leaning back.
- Pelvic Tilts: Gentle pelvic tilt exercises while sitting can help improve circulation and relieve tension.
Understanding why sitting hurts can help you find positions and supports that offer some relief as your pregnancy progresses.
