Back pain is one of the one most common complaints of women who are pregnant. In most cases, back pain does not suggest a serious medical or obstetrical problem.

Types of Back Pain

Muscle Aches

• Most common source of back pain in pregnancy.
• These can be quick and passing or last for days to weeks.
• As the abdomen grows larger during pregnancy, great strains are placed on the spine.
• Can cause spasm or even injury to the muscles of the back.
• Most commonly affects the low back muscles.

Prevention and Treatment of Muscle Aches

• As a woman’s pregnancy progresses, her enlarging abdomen forces her to walk, bend, and lift differently than she has before – effecting muscles in her legs, back, and shoulders.
• Treat with massage, stretching, and occasional Tylenol for pain relief.

Lifting Injuries

• Lifting a heavy load, twisting, bending, or falling can injure a disc in the back.
• This can cause severe pain and associated muscle spasms.
• This pain typically lasts for days to weeks.

Prevention and Treatment of Lifting Injuries

• Avoid many of the severe muscle and disc injuries by not lifting heavy loads regularly and by continuing a regular low-intensity, low-impact exercise regimen such as swimming or walking.
• Always check with your doctor before beginning a new exercise regimen during pregnancy.
• Check with your doctor to insure that there is no permanent injury.

Inflammation

• Occurs in the buttock area.
• Called sacroilitis - inflammation of the joint between the bottom of the spine and the pelvic bone.
• Occurs because of the new strains on the spine and pelvis in pregnancy.

Prevention and Treatment of Inflammation

• Treat with massage, stretching, and occasional Tylenol for pain relief.

Call Your Physician If:

• Low back pain or flank pain with symptoms such as burning with urination, bloody urine or fever.
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stool, or abdominal pain.
• Back pain in the first trimester of pregnancy with symptoms of fever, vaginal bleeding, or vaginal discharge.
• Back pain that does not resolve within a few minutes and occurs late in the second or third trimester of pregnancy with a fever, vaginal pain, or vaginal discharge.