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Low Back Pain In Pregnancy

During pregnancy, a woman’s body undergoes a lot of changes to house the baby. These changes affect the muscles and joints of pelvis and lumbar spine leading to low back pain (LBP). It is estimated that almost 68% to 80% pregnant women experience back pain during or after their pregnancy.

The pregnancy related low back pain is usually moderate to severe in intensity, burning type of sensation in lower back without any radiation to the leg. It almost occurs daily but not present throughout the day, starting at any point of the day and is more severe at night.

pregnancy

The causes of this back pain are a combination of multiple factor, as discussed here-

Mechanical Cause-During pregnancy, due to increase in the size of the breasts and abdomen, the center of gravity moves forward resulting in stress over the spine and tension in the muscles around the back causing problems in balance. This is one of the most common causes of back pain.

Decreased blood flow– Normally in a woman’s body, blood vessels (arteries and veins) lie behind the uterus. These vessels are responsible for carrying oxygen and nutrition to the structures of the lower back. During pregnancy, the size of the uterus increases and puts pressure over these vessels, resulting in decreased blood flow to the structures in the lower back. This can also contribute to back pain particularly in last half of pregnancy.

Hormonal Causes– Relaxin is a hormone that is produced in increased quantities during pregnancy by parts of uterus and ovary. It relaxes (loosen/Lax) tissues which bind the joints leaving the lumbar spine and hip joints less stable and therefore more susceptible to stress and pain.

It must be clearly understood that “Not all low back pains during pregnancy has the pregnancy itself as a triggering factor.” Much of the low back pain existed before the pregnancy and persisted or worsened during the period of pregnancy.

The common risk factors which can increase the chances of  low back pain during pregnancy include-

Physical Factors

Age – Younger age

Weight – Obesity (BMI > 29.9)

Parity- No of children

Lack of excercise

Psycho social Factors

Stress level

Strenuous work

During Pregnancy/Labor

Baby weight >3 kg

Long time taken to deliver the baby

Traumatic delivery

Others

Previous low back pain

Low back pain during menstruation

Trauma to the back

Vitamin D deficiency

It must be clearly understood that “epidural/spinal anesthesia and analgesic techniques performed during delivery or cesarean section are not associated with the development of this pain.”

Note:- All the information provided in this article has been compiled by Dr. S. K . Jain, who is a Orthopaedic surgeon. He is currently providing services at “Nidaan Wellness Centre” Dilshad Garden and formerly worked at many prestigious institutes in India and abroad.He has more than 20 yrs of experience in this field.

Dr. S.K. Jain
Dr. S.K. Jain
Dr. S. K. Jain,is a Senior Orthopaedic Surgeon with 20 years of expertise in the field of orthopaedic Surgeon. He has worked and got his training at various prestigious institutes in India and abroad.. Read More..

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3 COMMENTS

  1. […] There are multiple instances when women suffer from lower back pain. While on one hand, it might be a warning to the onset of the period, on the other hand, it can be an indicator of initial pregnancy. However, most of us tend to ignore this especially if there is no other pregnancy symptom to accompany it. However, you need to note that the hormonal changes during your first trimester are a potential cause of lower back pain during pregnancy. […]

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