JOY FEELINGS MAGAZINE may-june 2015 | Page 39

From back problems to less common causes of pregnancy pain, you may experience discomfort while you're expecting. Find out how to get safe pain relief during pregnancy and when you should seek immediate help. It’s a special time during your life, but let’s face it: pregnancy can be uncomfortable. Finding the right kind of pain relief during pregnancy means understanding what might be causing your pregnancy pain in addition to considering the safety of your baby. Joy feelings magazine As a general rule, you need to be selective with pain relief. “I usually recommend not using medication first,” says obstetrician-gynecologist Amanda Calhoun, MD, MPH, assistant director of women’s health for Kaiser Permanente Northern California in Richmond. Instead, she advises other methods such as relaxation, massage, and heat for certain pains, such as back pain. Note that you should not apply heat to your abdomen during pregnancy. If these approaches fail, acetaminophen, such as Tylenol, is considered safe during pregnancy. With your doctor’s approval,