Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOnset and FrequencySymptomsCausesTreatmentWhen to Call Your Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Onset and Frequency
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
When to Call Your Healthcare Provider
Many pregnant people experiencepain in the lower backthat radiates into the buttocks and legs. This pain usually strikes in the second trimester but can start sooner and often occurs when you’re trying to sleep.It may be constant or worsen with activity and often affects a person’s quality of life.
While you may not be able to get rid of this symptom completely, physical therapy, stress reduction, and changing your sleeping position may help ease it or prevent it from worsening.
Learn more about lower back pain during pregnancy, including signs and symptoms, causes, and treatment.
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Frequency and When It Presents
Research shows that around 50% of people who are pregnant will experience low back pain during pregnancy or in thepostpartum period.Low back pain during pregnancy can be mild or associated with specific activities. For some people, it can be chronic—that is, pain is persistent and lasts more than three months.
One-third of pregnant people will suffer from severe low back pain that reduces their quality of life, while 10% report that low back pain affects their daily routine and ability to work.For most people, low back pain starts between the fifth and seventh months of pregnancy, but for some, low back pain may occur earlier.
You may experience lower back pain at any time during your pregnancy. For most people, symptoms will resolve after the birth of their child. Unfortunately, some may experiencechronic painthat remains after childbirth.
Back and related pain during pregnancy might manifest as:
Back pain during pregnancy may mimicsciatica—pain that radiates along thesciatic nervethat stretches from the low back through the hips and buttocks down the leg. Sciatic nerve pain usually affects only one side of the body, however.
The causes of lower back pain in pregnancy are considered multifactorial. This means that different things are affecting various body structures in the lower part of the body leading to lower back pain.
Many of the causes are recognized and naturally occurring changes during pregnancy, including those related to posture, blood circulation, anatomy, and hormones.Lower back pain during pregnancy is rarely serious or life-threatening.
One theory about lower back pain in pregnancy relates to mechanical instability of the low back in thelumbar spineand pelvis.During pregnancy, the lumbar spine goes through a compensatory process calledlordosis, where the spine adjusts to the center of gravity from the increasing pregnancy weight and abdominal enlargement.
This process adds excess strain on the lumbar joints, discs, ligaments, and muscles. The psoas muscle of the hip becomes shortened from the compensatory lordosis, further adding to low back pain.
Psoas MuscleThe psoas muscle connects the upper body to the lower body. It is responsible for flexing the hip joint and lifting the upper leg towards the body.One of its most common movements is walking.
Psoas Muscle
The psoas muscle connects the upper body to the lower body. It is responsible for flexing the hip joint and lifting the upper leg towards the body.One of its most common movements is walking.
People with a history of low back pain or other preexisting back problems seem to have a higher risk for developing lower back pain during pregnancy.
In addition to changes in the body and history of risk, some daily activities during pregnancy can cause unbalanced movements in the spine, pelvis, and hips resulting from naturally occurring changes of pregnancy.
These might include:
While rare, some obstetrical conditions, such asmiscarriage,ovarian cysts, oruterine fibroids, may cause lower back pain in pregnancy.Lower back pain is also a symptom ofurinary tract infectionorpreterm labor.
What Causes Lower Back Pain in Females?
Treatment of lower back pain in pregnancy will depend on the stage of pregnancy, what has caused the back pain, any aggravating factors, underlying medical conditions, such asdiabetesorhigh blood pressure, and the severity of symptoms, along with the effect on the quality of life.
In determining treatment options, your clinician may evaluate your posture, range of motion, gait (walking) patterns, joint pain, tendon reflexes, and curvature degree in the lower spine.
Treatment goals will include maintaining function levels and reducing discomfort during pregnancy.Treatment often involvesphysical therapyand exercise,hot and cold therapy, postural correction, making adjustments to make sleep more comfortable, regular stretching,chiropractic care, acupuncture, and stress reduction with meditation.
Physical Therapy and Exercise
Your healthcare provider or aphysical therapistcan recommend exercises to strengthen your low back and reduce pain. Regular exercise can strengthen the muscles of your low back, boost flexibility, and reduce the stress on the spine.
Safe exercises during pregnancy include walking, swimming, cycling, and low-impact aerobic exercises (i.e., elliptical trainer or stationary bicycling).
Hot and Cold Therapy
Applying heat and cold to your back might help reduce pain and stiffness in your back. Use cold compresses (such as a bag of ice or cold pack) in the painful area for up to 20 minutes a few times a day.
You can alternate between hot and cold. Use a heating pad in the painful area. Always check with your healthcare provider; they will tell you if it is safe for you to use heat and cold therapy while pregnant.
Improve Posture
Avoid slouching to reduce strain on your spine and use proper posture with walking, sitting, and sleeping. Wearing a pregnancy support belt might help with improving posture during pregnancy.
Sleep Adjustments
To relieve back pain during pregnancy while sleeping, be sure you sleep on your left side. This sleep position provides the best circulation for you and the growing fetus.It is also helpful to sleep with one or both knees bent.
Using pregnancy support pillows between your knees, behind your back, and under your growing belly can also help.
Regular Stretching
Talk to your healthcare provider or physical therapist about safe stretching exercises you can do to strengthen your back and pelvic muscles.
Chiropractic
Done correctly, chiropractic spinal adjustment can be safe during pregnancy.You should check with your healthcare professional if it is safe for you to seek out chiropractic care.
Acupuncture
Studies have found acupuncture to be effective in relieving low back pain during pregnancy.Acupuncture is a type of Chinese medicine that uses thin needles inserted in the skin at certain locations of the body. Check with your healthcare provider before seeking out acupuncture while pregnant.
Stress Reduction
Meditation is a stress-reduction technique that can be utilized at any time and in any place. There are many ways to practice meditation. One of the easiest ways to meditate is to sit or lie down in a quiet place and focus on your breathing. You can meditate in silence or make use of an audio program.
Meditation has been shown to promote a biological relaxation response that stimulates the brain to reduce the release of stress hormones, which in turn reduces muscle tension and pain.
Choosing Safe Pain-Relieving MedicationsAll medications should be used with caution during pregnancy to reduce the risk of harm to the growing fetus. Fortunately, there aresome medications that are safe to use during pregnancy.For lower back pain in pregnancy, acetaminophen is considered safe and is often given as a first-line drug to treat all types of pain during pregnancy.You should always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any medication, including supplements, vitamins, and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, while pregnant.
Choosing Safe Pain-Relieving Medications
All medications should be used with caution during pregnancy to reduce the risk of harm to the growing fetus. Fortunately, there aresome medications that are safe to use during pregnancy.For lower back pain in pregnancy, acetaminophen is considered safe and is often given as a first-line drug to treat all types of pain during pregnancy.You should always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any medication, including supplements, vitamins, and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, while pregnant.
All medications should be used with caution during pregnancy to reduce the risk of harm to the growing fetus. Fortunately, there aresome medications that are safe to use during pregnancy.
For lower back pain in pregnancy, acetaminophen is considered safe and is often given as a first-line drug to treat all types of pain during pregnancy.
You should always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any medication, including supplements, vitamins, and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, while pregnant.
While some low back pain and discomfort are normal during pregnancy, there will be instances where you should reach out to your obstetrician or another healthcare professional.
Contact your healthcare professional for the following low back symptoms:
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A Word From Verywell
Back pain during pregnancy can be uncomfortable and frustrating, but most of the time it resolves after delivery. Remember to always listen to your body and stop activities that make back pain worse.
Check with your healthcare professional before you start exercising. If you experience symptoms, such as bleeding or severe pain, stop exercising and seek out immediate medical help.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Carvalho MECC, Lima LC, de Lira Terceiro CA, et al.Low back pain during pregnancy.Rev Bras Anestesiol. 2017 May-Jun;67(3):266-270. doi:10.1016/j.bjan.2016.03.002Katonis P, Kampouroglou A, Aggelopoulos A, et al.Pregnancy-related low back pain.Hippokratia; 15(3):205-210.Treede RD, Rief W, Barke A, et al.A classification of chronic pain for ICD-11.Pain. 2015;156(6):1003-1007. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000160Mei Q, Gu Y, Fernandez J.Alterations of pregnant gait during pregnancy and post-partum.Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):2217. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-20648-yYoo H, Shin D, Song C.Changes in the spinal curvature, degree of pain, balance ability, and gait ability according to pregnancy period in pregnant and nonpregnant women.J Phys Ther Sci. 2015;27(1):279-284. doi:10.1589/jpts.27.279Cleveland Clinic.Psoas syndrome.Cedars-Sinai.Back pain during pregnancy.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Back pain during pregnancy.Sehmbi H, D’Souza R, Bhatia A.Low back pain in pregnancy: Investigations, management, and role of neuraxial analgesia and anaesthesia: A systematic review.Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2017;82(5):417-436. doi:10.1159/000471764Chandrasekharan B, Cyril Vincent S, Arulappan J.Effectiveness of back-stretch exercise on back pain among pregnant women.IEJNSR. 2020;1(1):1-5. doi:10.21608/ejnsr.2020.30590.1000Quintero Rodriguez C, Troynikov O.The effect of maternity support garments on alleviation of pains and discomforts during pregnancy: A systematic review.J Pregnancy. 2019;2019:2163790. doi:10.1155/2019/2163790KidsHealth From Nemours.Sleeping during pregnancy.Stuber KJ, Wynd S, Weis CA.Adverse events from spinal manipulation in the pregnant and postpartum periods: a critical review of the literature.Chiropr Man Therap. 2012;20:8. doi:10.1186/2045-709X-20-8Vas J, Aranda-Regules JM, Modesto M, et al.Auricular acupuncture for primary care treatment of low back pain and posterior pelvic pain in pregnancy: study protocol for a multicentre randomised placebo-controlled trial.Trials. 2014 Jul 16;15:288. doi:10.1186/1745-6215-15-288Zeidan F, Vago DR.Mindfulness meditation-based pain relief: a mechanistic account.Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2016;1373(1):114-127. doi:10.1111/nyas.13153Shah S, Banh ET, Koury K, et al.Pain management in pregnancy: multimodal approaches.Pain Res Treat. 2015;2015:987483. doi:10.1155/2015/987483
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Carvalho MECC, Lima LC, de Lira Terceiro CA, et al.Low back pain during pregnancy.Rev Bras Anestesiol. 2017 May-Jun;67(3):266-270. doi:10.1016/j.bjan.2016.03.002Katonis P, Kampouroglou A, Aggelopoulos A, et al.Pregnancy-related low back pain.Hippokratia; 15(3):205-210.Treede RD, Rief W, Barke A, et al.A classification of chronic pain for ICD-11.Pain. 2015;156(6):1003-1007. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000160Mei Q, Gu Y, Fernandez J.Alterations of pregnant gait during pregnancy and post-partum.Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):2217. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-20648-yYoo H, Shin D, Song C.Changes in the spinal curvature, degree of pain, balance ability, and gait ability according to pregnancy period in pregnant and nonpregnant women.J Phys Ther Sci. 2015;27(1):279-284. doi:10.1589/jpts.27.279Cleveland Clinic.Psoas syndrome.Cedars-Sinai.Back pain during pregnancy.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Back pain during pregnancy.Sehmbi H, D’Souza R, Bhatia A.Low back pain in pregnancy: Investigations, management, and role of neuraxial analgesia and anaesthesia: A systematic review.Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2017;82(5):417-436. doi:10.1159/000471764Chandrasekharan B, Cyril Vincent S, Arulappan J.Effectiveness of back-stretch exercise on back pain among pregnant women.IEJNSR. 2020;1(1):1-5. doi:10.21608/ejnsr.2020.30590.1000Quintero Rodriguez C, Troynikov O.The effect of maternity support garments on alleviation of pains and discomforts during pregnancy: A systematic review.J Pregnancy. 2019;2019:2163790. doi:10.1155/2019/2163790KidsHealth From Nemours.Sleeping during pregnancy.Stuber KJ, Wynd S, Weis CA.Adverse events from spinal manipulation in the pregnant and postpartum periods: a critical review of the literature.Chiropr Man Therap. 2012;20:8. doi:10.1186/2045-709X-20-8Vas J, Aranda-Regules JM, Modesto M, et al.Auricular acupuncture for primary care treatment of low back pain and posterior pelvic pain in pregnancy: study protocol for a multicentre randomised placebo-controlled trial.Trials. 2014 Jul 16;15:288. doi:10.1186/1745-6215-15-288Zeidan F, Vago DR.Mindfulness meditation-based pain relief: a mechanistic account.Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2016;1373(1):114-127. doi:10.1111/nyas.13153Shah S, Banh ET, Koury K, et al.Pain management in pregnancy: multimodal approaches.Pain Res Treat. 2015;2015:987483. doi:10.1155/2015/987483
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Carvalho MECC, Lima LC, de Lira Terceiro CA, et al.Low back pain during pregnancy.Rev Bras Anestesiol. 2017 May-Jun;67(3):266-270. doi:10.1016/j.bjan.2016.03.002Katonis P, Kampouroglou A, Aggelopoulos A, et al.Pregnancy-related low back pain.Hippokratia; 15(3):205-210.Treede RD, Rief W, Barke A, et al.A classification of chronic pain for ICD-11.Pain. 2015;156(6):1003-1007. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000160Mei Q, Gu Y, Fernandez J.Alterations of pregnant gait during pregnancy and post-partum.Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):2217. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-20648-yYoo H, Shin D, Song C.Changes in the spinal curvature, degree of pain, balance ability, and gait ability according to pregnancy period in pregnant and nonpregnant women.J Phys Ther Sci. 2015;27(1):279-284. doi:10.1589/jpts.27.279Cleveland Clinic.Psoas syndrome.Cedars-Sinai.Back pain during pregnancy.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Back pain during pregnancy.Sehmbi H, D’Souza R, Bhatia A.Low back pain in pregnancy: Investigations, management, and role of neuraxial analgesia and anaesthesia: A systematic review.Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2017;82(5):417-436. doi:10.1159/000471764Chandrasekharan B, Cyril Vincent S, Arulappan J.Effectiveness of back-stretch exercise on back pain among pregnant women.IEJNSR. 2020;1(1):1-5. doi:10.21608/ejnsr.2020.30590.1000Quintero Rodriguez C, Troynikov O.The effect of maternity support garments on alleviation of pains and discomforts during pregnancy: A systematic review.J Pregnancy. 2019;2019:2163790. doi:10.1155/2019/2163790KidsHealth From Nemours.Sleeping during pregnancy.Stuber KJ, Wynd S, Weis CA.Adverse events from spinal manipulation in the pregnant and postpartum periods: a critical review of the literature.Chiropr Man Therap. 2012;20:8. doi:10.1186/2045-709X-20-8Vas J, Aranda-Regules JM, Modesto M, et al.Auricular acupuncture for primary care treatment of low back pain and posterior pelvic pain in pregnancy: study protocol for a multicentre randomised placebo-controlled trial.Trials. 2014 Jul 16;15:288. doi:10.1186/1745-6215-15-288Zeidan F, Vago DR.Mindfulness meditation-based pain relief: a mechanistic account.Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2016;1373(1):114-127. doi:10.1111/nyas.13153Shah S, Banh ET, Koury K, et al.Pain management in pregnancy: multimodal approaches.Pain Res Treat. 2015;2015:987483. doi:10.1155/2015/987483
Carvalho MECC, Lima LC, de Lira Terceiro CA, et al.Low back pain during pregnancy.Rev Bras Anestesiol. 2017 May-Jun;67(3):266-270. doi:10.1016/j.bjan.2016.03.002
Katonis P, Kampouroglou A, Aggelopoulos A, et al.Pregnancy-related low back pain.Hippokratia; 15(3):205-210.
Treede RD, Rief W, Barke A, et al.A classification of chronic pain for ICD-11.Pain. 2015;156(6):1003-1007. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000160
Mei Q, Gu Y, Fernandez J.Alterations of pregnant gait during pregnancy and post-partum.Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):2217. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-20648-y
Yoo H, Shin D, Song C.Changes in the spinal curvature, degree of pain, balance ability, and gait ability according to pregnancy period in pregnant and nonpregnant women.J Phys Ther Sci. 2015;27(1):279-284. doi:10.1589/jpts.27.279
Cleveland Clinic.Psoas syndrome.
Cedars-Sinai.Back pain during pregnancy.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Back pain during pregnancy.
Sehmbi H, D’Souza R, Bhatia A.Low back pain in pregnancy: Investigations, management, and role of neuraxial analgesia and anaesthesia: A systematic review.Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2017;82(5):417-436. doi:10.1159/000471764
Chandrasekharan B, Cyril Vincent S, Arulappan J.Effectiveness of back-stretch exercise on back pain among pregnant women.IEJNSR. 2020;1(1):1-5. doi:10.21608/ejnsr.2020.30590.1000
Quintero Rodriguez C, Troynikov O.The effect of maternity support garments on alleviation of pains and discomforts during pregnancy: A systematic review.J Pregnancy. 2019;2019:2163790. doi:10.1155/2019/2163790
KidsHealth From Nemours.Sleeping during pregnancy.
Stuber KJ, Wynd S, Weis CA.Adverse events from spinal manipulation in the pregnant and postpartum periods: a critical review of the literature.Chiropr Man Therap. 2012;20:8. doi:10.1186/2045-709X-20-8
Vas J, Aranda-Regules JM, Modesto M, et al.Auricular acupuncture for primary care treatment of low back pain and posterior pelvic pain in pregnancy: study protocol for a multicentre randomised placebo-controlled trial.Trials. 2014 Jul 16;15:288. doi:10.1186/1745-6215-15-288
Zeidan F, Vago DR.Mindfulness meditation-based pain relief: a mechanistic account.Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2016;1373(1):114-127. doi:10.1111/nyas.13153
Shah S, Banh ET, Koury K, et al.Pain management in pregnancy: multimodal approaches.Pain Res Treat. 2015;2015:987483. doi:10.1155/2015/987483
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