Lower back pain (LBP) during pregnancy.
Low back pain (LBP) during pregnancy is quite common with various rates reported in the literature ranging from 59% to 72%.
In one study 69% of women reported low back pain for the first time during pregnancy.
Low back pain is more common during the second trimester.
Factors that are associated with back pain during pregnancy are:
- younger women were more likely to develop it
- history of LBP before pregnancy
- history of back pain during menstruation
- history of LBP during a previous pregnancy.
- increasing parity (this varies amongst studies)
- history of hypermobility
- Age at menarche and use of oral contraceptives were NOT associated
- Body mass index
- Physically strenuous work
The effects of low back pain during pregnancy includes affected sleep patterns, mobility, ability to lift, and limitation of sexual activity. Impaired functions of daily living are common.
Symptoms often experienced:
- a “burning” sensation
- pain that comes and goes
- pain that is worse at night.
- pain at rest
- pain when standing.
- pain in the central low back area
- location of pain anterior (front) and posterior back) pain.
- pain was localized to the sacroiliac areas (base of spine to the sides)
- sciatic type pain (referring to the legs)
- pain the increases as the day progresses.
- standing, sitting, forward bending, lifting, and walking can aggravate the pain
Interestingly, a high proportion of those with low back pain during pregnancy do not report the pain to care givers, or seek care.
When seeking care, options used includes Chiropractic, bed rest, and medications.
Sixty-eight per cent of women who experienced moderate or worse low back pain during pregnancy continued to experience recurring low back pain with a self reported reduction in their health after the pregnancy.
References:
Available on request
