It’s week 23 and here’s the thing… I have noticed that I am starting to get a bit of lower backache, mainly when I am sat at my Mac editing which also contributes to a numb bum too. I am putting both down to being pregnant as I don’t recall getting a numb bum or backache quite so readily when I wasn’t ‘carrying a watermelon’.
I decided to spend a few minutes studying my pregnant posture in the mirror this evening to see how I was naturally standing and I realised this…I was standing like a duck. My belly was low and my butt (for want of a better word) was arched and stuck out like a super counter weight, all that was missing was some feathers. No wonder my lower back was aching!
I did a little research on this and apparently as your pregnant belly grows, it throws your center of gravity out, so you end up shifting your weight to offset the added heft in front.
The effect of pregnancy on your body’s alignment
During pregnancy several things occur that work against maintaining correct alignment. For one, the weight of the baby causes your lower back to sway as your center of gravity moves forward.
Poor posture (occurs naturally)
Your abdominal muscles become stretched as the baby grows. These muscles are less able to contract and keep your lower back in proper alignment. Hormone levels increase during pregnancy and cause joints and ligaments to loosen.
Corrected posture (requires practice)
To counteract the increased low back curve, straighten your upper back so that your ear, shoulder and hip are aligned. Tuck your pelvis under using the pelvic tilt.
Now I am pleased to say I do not feel like the pregnant and very attractively labelled ‘waddle’ has hit me quite yet (I’ll save that for my third trimester thank you very much) but it has made me think a little harder about my posture in pregnancy.
It was interesting to see that by shifting my weight slightly, my bum tucked more neatly under and my bump rose up and felt more streamlined! Whether or not this ‘conscious’ posture will be maintainable is another question but for now I think I’ll try to give it some notice in an attempt to save my aching back at least! Oh and ladies, if you see me ‘shaking my tail feathers’ when I’m walking, feel free to give them a little pat to remind me to put them away!!
I love your dress and what a cute little bump you have 🙂 makes me miss my bump 🙁
http://www.yummymummytraining.blogspot.com
Thanks Sarah! I got the address from Asos Maternity. They have some fab stuff.
Thanks also for being my first official follower! More posts coming soon. x