Avoid back pain......

• If you sit in front of a computer screen all day, make sure to sit upstraight and keep your feet slightly raised off the floor on a footstool orother low object. Don't sit for long periods; get up and walk around theoffice or step outside for a break at least every half hour.

• Wear flat, comfortable shoes. As your stomach grows and your balanceshifts, a pair of high heels will only make your posture worse.

• Always bend from your knees and lift objects and children from acrouching position to minimize the stress on your back. Let someoneelse lift heavy objects; this is not the time to risk throwing your back outcompletely.

• Start an exercise programme early in pregnancy, one that includesstretches that strengthen and stretch muscles that support the back andlegs. Don't worry if you're well past your first trimester; you can start asimple stretching routine at any time. Swimming is a particularly goodchoice for pregnant women because it strengthens your lower backmuscles, and the buoyancy of the water takes the strain off your jointsand ligaments. Avoid doing breaststroke, though, as this can affect yourlower back joint.

• Stand up straight. This gets harder to do as your body changes, but try tokeep your pelvis tucked in and your shoulders back. Pregnant womentend to lean back as their bump grows, which puts more strain on thespin.