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That nine-month stretch of pregnancy can be a long haul of wild (?Why can?t I feel my hand"?) and wonderful (?Her foot is pushing against my ribs!?) aches, pains and discomforts. But in the last 12 weeks, in particular, a number of odd and sometimes startling symptoms can surface just as you?re approaching the finish line. Here are some of the more common complaints ? and ideas on how to handle them. 
1. Backache

?Backache is probably the most common complaint I hear from pregnant women,? says Tom Bailey, a Victoria family physician and past president of the College of Family Physicians of Canada . He explains that the cause isn?t only weight gain, but the higher demand on muscles and the changing centre of gravity as your baby bump grows, which puts more stress on the spine. Your body is also producing relaxin, a hormone that develops in pregnancy to loosen joints to help prepare for delivery, which can also put more strain on your lower back. Solution:

All the general rules of back health apply: Bend with your knees; don?t lean over at the waist when picking things up; avoid awkward twists and turns that put your lower back in vulnerable positions. Other back-friendly tips during pregnancy include not standing on your feet for extended periods and walking daily.
?We find 30 minutes of walking a day is really helpful at this stage because it strengthens both your back and core muscles,? says Karen Buhler, head of the Department of Family Practice...