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Community Corner

Baby on the Way Have your Back in Pain?

More than half of expectant mothers experience back pain during pregnancy, which can disrupt their daily routine and deter them from getting a good night’s sleep. To help understand the causes and treatments of this type of pain, Silver Cross Hospital is offering a free program.

 

Back Pain During Pregnancy

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Most women develop back pain at some point during pregnancy. On Monday, June 9, physical therapists with The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross will teach expectant women how to learn to protect their backs, simple exercises to relieve the pain, and when to call the doctor.  This free program will be held from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Silver Cross Hospital Conference Center, Pavilion A, 1890 Silver Cross Blvd., New Lenox.  Call 1-888-660-HEAL (4325) or visit www.silvercross.org to register.

 

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“By coming to Silver Cross patients have access to specialized care plans similar to those that are offered at RIC’s downtown Chicago location,” said Valerie Paluszak, Manager of Outpatient Rehabilitation for The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital. “We are fortunate to have such highly trained and experienced physical therapists working at Silver Cross, who make expectant mothers’ treatments successful enabling them to get relief from pain during their pregnancy.”

 

What causes back pain during pregnancy?

Back pain during pregnancy is related to a number of factors. Some women begin to experience lower back pain with the onset of pregnancy. Women who are most at risk for back pain are those who had back pain prior to pregnancy.

 

Here is a list of potential causes of back pain or discomfort during pregnancy:

·         Increase of hormones – hormones released during pregnancy allow ligaments in the pelvic area to soften and the joints to become looser in preparation for the birthing process of your baby; this shift in joints and loosening of ligaments may affect the support your back normally experiences

·         Center of gravity – your center of gravity will gradually move forward as your uterus and baby grow, which causes your posture to change

·         Additional weight – your developing baby creates additional weight that your back must support

·         Posture – poor posture, excessive standing, and bending over can escalate the pain you experience in your back

·         Stress – stress usually finds the weak spot in the body, and because of the changes in your pelvic area, you may experience an increase in back pain during stressful periods of your pregnancy

 

Back pain may not be prevented completely, but there are things that you can do to reduce the severity or frequency. Here are a few steps you can take to help reduce back pain:

 

·         Use exercises approved by your health care provider that help strengthen the back and abdomen

·         Squat to pick up something versus bending over

·         Avoid high heels and other shoes that do not provide adequate support

·         Sleep on your left side and use a support pillow under your knees

·         Get plenty of rest. Elevating your feet is also good for your back

 

About the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago at Silver Cross Hospital

Silver Cross Hospital and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) have teamed up to expand post-acute physical medicine and rehabilitation services in Will County and the southwest Chicagoland communities. The partnership provides world-class rehabilitation care for a range of conditions for patients close to home. Silver Cross is the only healthcare facility in the area with this breadth of services in partnership with RIC. Together, Silver Cross and RIC provide rehabilitation services in inpatient and outpatient care settings at four locations. Additionally, the RIC team provides physical therapy services for patients on the hospital’s medical and surgical floors. For more information about RIC at Silver Cross, call (815) 340-7110 or visit www.silvercross.org.

 

About the Silver Cross Women and Infant Birthing Center

Silver Cross has brought together cutting-edge medical technology with spa-like amenities to make the birthing experience all the more memorable.   The Birthing Center at the New Lenox Hospital has 12 luxurious birthing suites designed for labor, delivery and recovery so parents can have the convenience of staying in the same room through recovery followed by a stay in one of 30 private mother-baby suites.  Each private suite is fully-equipped with a bathroom with a shower and some have an immersion tub to help with labor pains, blanket warmer, refrigerator, wireless internet access, 30” flat screen TV system, and a comfortable sofa-sleeper so family members can stay around the clock. 

 

A variety of pain relief methods is available 24 hours a day provided by an anesthesiologist.  And for deliveries requiring surgery, there are two complete cesarean suites.  Lurie Children’s Hospital neonatologists and pediatric hospitalist is onsite 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And if needed, Lurie Children’s pediatric cardiologists are available to analyze a baby’s echocardiogram in real time through a video linkage with Silver Cross. For more information about the new Silver Cross Women and Infant Birthing Center visit www.silvercross.org/specialdeliveries.  For a referral to an obstetrician/gynecologist or pediatrician on staff at Silver Cross, visit www.silvercross.org or call 1-888-660-HEAL.  

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