Pregnancy pain back left side

Back pain in pregnancy - NHS

It is very common to get backache or back pain during pregnancy, especially in the early stages.

During pregnancy, the ligaments in your body naturally become softer and stretch to prepare you for labour. This can put a strain on the joints of your lower back and pelvis, which can cause back pain.

Avoiding and easing back pain in pregnancy

Try these tips:

• bend your knees and keep your back straight when you lift or pick something up from the floor
• avoid lifting heavy objects
• move your feet when you turn to avoid twisting your spine
• wear flat shoes to evenly distribute your weight
• try to balance the weight between 2 bags when carrying shopping
• keep your back straight and well supported when sitting – look for maternity support pillows
• get enough rest, particularly later in pregnancy
• have a massage or a warm bath
• use a mattress that supports you properly – you can put a piece of hardboard under a soft mattress to make it firmer, if necessary
• go to a group or individual back care class

You can take paracetamol to ease back pain while you are pregnant, unless your GP or midwife says not to. Always follow the instructions on the packet.

When to get help for back pain in pregnancy

If your backache is very painful, talk to your GP or midwife. They may be able to refer you to an obstetric physiotherapist at your hospital, who can give you advice and may suggest some helpful exercises.

Non-urgent advice: Contact your GP or midwife urgently if:

You have back pain and you:

• are in your second or third trimester – this could be a sign of early labour
• also have a fever, bleeding from your vagina or pain when you pee
• have pain in one or more of your sides (under your ribs)

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:

You have back pain and:

• you lose feeling in one or both of your legs, your bum, or your genitals

Exercises to ease back pain in pregnancy

This gentle exercise helps to strengthen stomach (abdominal) muscles, which can ease back pain in pregnancy:

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1) Start on all fours with knees under hips, hands under shoulders, fingers facing forwards and stomach muscles lifted to keep your back straight.

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2) Pull in your stomach muscles and raise your back up towards the ceiling, letting your head and bum relax downwards gently – do not let your elbows lock and only move your back as far as you comfortably can.

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3) Hold for a few seconds then slowly return to the box position – take care not to hollow your back, it should always return to a straight, neutral position.

4) Do this slowly and rhythmically 10 times, making your muscles work hard and moving your back carefully.

Doing prenatal yoga or aquanatal classes (gentle exercise classes in water) with a qualified instructor can also help build your muscles to better support your back. Ask at your local leisure centre.

Page last reviewed: 15 March 2021
Next review due: 15 March 2024

Types of Back Pain in Pregnancy

Pregnant women may experience back pain that is localized to the lower back area or radiates into the buttock, thigh, and legs, causing or mimicking sciatica symptoms. The pain may be constant, get worse with activity, interfere with sleep, and/or reduce overall functioning. While the symptoms usually resolve spontaneously after delivery, some conditions may remain as chronic disorders. Women with pre-existing lower back problems are typically at a higher risk of developing pregnancy-related back pain.

During pregnancy, natural anatomic and postural changes cause mechanical challenges to the musculoskeletal system, especially in the lower body. Back pain and pelvic discomfort commonly start between the fifth and seventh month of being pregnant. A small percentage of women may experience pain as early as 4 to 16 weeks. ¹ Sabino J, Grauer JN. Pregnancy and low back pain. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2008;1(2):137-141. doi:10.1007/s12178-008-9021-8

Pregnancy: Causes of Back Pain Video

Lower Back Pain in Pregnancy

Mechanical instability in the lumbar spine (lower back) and pelvis commonly results in lower back pain in pregnant women.

• The lumbar spine undergoes compensatory lordosis—an increase in the reverse C-shaped curvature—which causes excess strain on the lumbar joints, muscles, ligaments, and discs.
• The psoas muscle in the hip, which stabilizes the spine and helps in hip and leg movements, is shortened due to the compensatory lordosis, exacerbating the lower back pain symptoms. ² Chila AG. Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010.

Lower back pain symptoms may start at any time during pregnancy. These symptoms may feel like:

• A dull ache or sharp, burning pain in the lower back area
• One-sided pain in the right or left area of the lower and/or mid-back
• Pain that radiates into the back of the thigh and leg, and sometimes into the foot (similar to sciatica)
• Foot drop, a condition characterized by the inability to lift the front part of the foot while walking

Sciatica symptoms typically occur if a lower lumbar and/or upper sacral nerve root is impinged in the lower spine due to a lumbar herniated disc, spondylolisthesis, facet joint disorder, or muscle sprain and spasm.

Read more about Common Causes of Back Pain in Pregnancy

Women with a history of back pain, pre-existing lower back disorders, multiple pregnancies, and/or those who are in the younger or older age-groups may be at a higher risk of developing lower back pain in pregnancy. ² Chila AG. Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010.

Lower back pain while lying down or sleeping

Pregnancy-related lower back pain that worsens at night may occur as a consequence of the expanding uterus, which applies pressure on a major blood vessel—the vena cava—causing blood vessel congestion in the pelvis and the lumbar spine. ³ Katonis P, Kampouroglou A, Aggelopoulos A, et al. Pregnancy-related low back pain. Hippokratia. 2011;15(3):205-210. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3306025/

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Pregnancy Pelvic Pain

Pelvic changes are normal in pregnancy and help accommodate the growing uterus and facilitate birth.

Pregnant women who experience pelvic pain have different amounts of laxity in their right and left sacroiliac joints, which connect the spine to the pelvis. This difference in joint laxity occurs due to a high concentration of the hormone relaxin that softens the connective tissues and joints. Significant laxity of the sacroiliac joints may cause displacement of the ilium—part of the pelvis that attaches to the sacroiliac joint.

Pain occurs when the shifted ilium is displaced in an unstable position, causing stress on the adjacent tissues. As the body tries to restore the pelvis back into a normal position, the muscles become tense and pull within or around the pelvis. If tension occurs in the pelvic floor muscles or the adductor muscles of the thigh (groin muscles that help pull the legs together) severe pain may be felt. ⁴ Rost C. Relieving Pelvic Pain During and After Pregnancy, How Women Can Heal Chronic Pelvic Instability. Hunter House; 2013.

Posterior pelvic pain is common during pregnancy and may affect up to 76% of pregnant women. This pain may also be experienced for several years after childbirth in 5% to 8.5% of new mothers. ⁵ Kanakaris NK, Roberts CS, Giannoudis PV. Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain: an update. BMC Med. 2011;9:15. Published 2011 Feb 15. doi:10.1186/1741-7015-9-15 Doctors may also refer to this pain as pelvic girdle pain or symphysis pubis dysfunction.

Typical features of posterior pelvic pain include:

• Pain that may feel like a stabbing, dull, shooting, and/or burning sensation in the back of the pelvic area
• Pain that may extend into the buttock and radiate to the groin and back of the thigh
• Pain that may mimic sciatica, but unlike sciatica, is often impossible to locate precisely and may change in type or area(s) affected as pregnancy progresses ⁵ Kanakaris NK, Roberts CS, Giannoudis PV. Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain: an update. BMC Med. 2011;9:15. Published 2011 Feb 15. doi:10.1186/1741-7015-9-15

Women with a history of lower back pain before pregnancy and/or those with physically demanding jobs that require them to stand for extended periods are at a greater risk of developing pelvic pain while pregnant. ⁴ Rost C. Relieving Pelvic Pain During and After Pregnancy, How Women Can Heal Chronic Pelvic Instability. Hunter House; 2013.

In This Article:

• Back Pain in Pregnancy
• Types of Back Pain in Pregnancy
• Common Causes of Back Pain in Pregnancy
• Management of Back Pain in Pregnancy
• Back Pain After Pregnancy
• Causes of Pregnancy Back Pain Video

Thigh Pain in Pregnancy

Temporary compression, pulling, and/or loss of blood supply to a peripheral nerve may occur in the thigh during pregnancy. The swelling of soft tissues and pressure from the growing uterus may add additional pressure on these nerves.

Thigh pain may occur under these circumstances when the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve gets compressed. This nerve provides sensation to the waist area and the front and side of the thigh. ² Chila AG. Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010.

Compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve results in a condition called meralgia paresthetica, which causes one or more of the following symptoms, typically on one side of the body ⁶ Cheatham SW, Kolber MJ, Salamh PA. Meralgia paresthetica: a review of the literature. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2013;8(6):883-93. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3867081/ :

• Burning or achy pain in the outer side and/or front of the thigh
• A cold, icy feeling in different parts of the thigh
• Buzzing or vibrations (such as from a cell phone) in the thigh

Meralgia paresthetica pain increases with activity, such as while standing or walking, and alleviates when sitting. ⁶ Cheatham SW, Kolber MJ, Salamh PA. Meralgia paresthetica: a review of the literature. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2013;8(6):883-93. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3867081/

Pregnancy Back and Hip Pain

The hip may become painful during pregnancy due to changes in the lower back and pelvis. Different parts of the hip may be affected, resulting in a range of potential disorders in this region. ² Chila AG. Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010.

Transient osteoporosis

A rare condition, transient osteoporosis, may occur due to weight-bearing in the third trimester of pregnancy. This condition causes weakening of the hip bone and results in acute pain with limited motion in the hip. Pain in transient osteoporosis typically comes on suddenly and is aggravated when bearing weight, such as while standing or walking. Women with this condition typically walk by taking short steps to avoid pain (antalgic gait). ² Chila AG. Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010.

Avascular necrosis of the femoral head

Biological changes in pregnancy resulting in high levels of natural steroids, including adrenocorticoid, estrogen, and progesterone hormones, combined with weight gain, may cause increased joint pressure and muscle strain in the hip. These changes may result in a condition called avascular necrosis of the upper part (head) of the femoral bone (thigh bone). The condition causes destruction of bone tissue in the femoral head due to lack of blood supply. ² Chila AG. Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010.

The symptoms of avascular necrosis of the femoral head start around the third trimester and include ² Chila AG. Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010. :

• Pain that is felt deep in the groin (inner thigh)
• Radiating and referred pain to the lower back, thigh, and/or knee

The symptoms are exacerbated on bearing weight, such as while standing and/or walking.

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Lower Back and Abdominal Pain with Cramping

Sudden onset of severe abdominal pain and cramping may indicate a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. In this condition, the egg fertilizes and grows in a place other than the uterus, most commonly inside the fallopian tube, which ruptures due to the growing size of the fertilized egg. ⁷ Dalsgaard Jensen T, Penninga L. Non-operative treatment of ruptured ectopic pregnancy. BMJ Case Rep. 2016;2016:bcr2016215311. Published 2016 Jun 13. doi:10.1136/bcr-2016-215311

The symptoms of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy may also include severe lower back and/or groin pain. This condition is a medical emergency and must be treated with surgical intervention on an urgent basis.

Back Labor Pain

Pain during active labor is caused by contraction of the muscles of the uterus and is similar to an intense menstrual cramp. Labor pain typically comes-and-goes and gradually increases in intensity.

Some women may experience severe lower back pain during labor, often called back labor. Back labor pain becomes intense between contractions and remains steady between contractions. This pain may occur when the baby is mispositioned in a way that the back of the baby's head presses against the mother's back (occiput posterior position).

Back pain while being pregnant typically resolves on its own after delivery. Pain that suddenly becomes severe, lasts for several weeks, worsens over time, is accompanied by neurologic deficits, and/or is not relieved by rest or treatment must be evaluated by a doctor without delay.

• 1 Sabino J, Grauer JN. Pregnancy and low back pain. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2008;1(2):137-141. doi:10.1007/s12178-008-9021-8
• 2 Chila AG. Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2010.
• 3 Katonis P, Kampouroglou A, Aggelopoulos A, et al. Pregnancy-related low back pain. Hippokratia. 2011;15(3):205-210. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3306025/
• 4 Rost C. Relieving Pelvic Pain During and After Pregnancy, How Women Can Heal Chronic Pelvic Instability. Hunter House; 2013.
• 5 Kanakaris NK, Roberts CS, Giannoudis PV. Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain: an update. BMC Med. 2011;9:15. Published 2011 Feb 15. doi:10.1186/1741-7015-9-15
• 6 Cheatham SW, Kolber MJ, Salamh PA. Meralgia paresthetica: a review of the literature. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2013;8(6):883-93. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3867081/
• 7 Dalsgaard Jensen T, Penninga L. Non-operative treatment of ruptured ectopic pregnancy. BMJ Case Rep. 2016;2016:bcr2016215311. Published 2016 Jun 13. doi:10.1136/bcr-2016-215311

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causes of pain in the early stages and in the second trimester

From the moment of conception, the woman's body is rebuilt. The composition of the produced hormones changes, nutrients are distributed between the mother and the fetus. At an early stage, these changes are invisible to others. But the woman notices that menstruation did not begin at the appointed time. Taste preferences change, nausea appears in the morning, fatigue, drowsiness, irritability or unusual peace. If you notice signs of pregnancy, you need to see a doctor. A few days after the delay in menstruation, pregnancy can be confirmed by laboratory tests. The doctor will give advice on how to prevent the development of pathologies and bear a healthy child. nine0003

At the first appointment, the doctor will warn you about early symptoms that indicate a threat of miscarriage:

Lower back pain may occur during the first trimester of pregnancy. It is often encountered by women in the later stages. It arises due to increased weight and a shift in the center of gravity. But in the first trimester, the weight and size of the abdomen change slightly. You need to analyze your condition and understand if there is a danger. nine0003

Causes that do not cause concern

Pulling the lower back during pregnancy can be due to various processes occurring in the body. Some of them create inconvenience, but do not pose a threat.

Attachment of the ovum to the uterus

Attachment of the ovum to the wall of the uterus occurs 5-7 days after fertilization, even before the woman notices a delay in menstruation and thinks about a possible pregnancy. The process may be accompanied by an increase in vaginal discharge. They are not white, but pink. Women often believe that menstruation begins. Due to the production of various hormones, a few days can pull the lower back. These sensations are caused by natural, not pathological changes in the body. They are harmless, do not require treatment and disappear after 5-6 days. nine0003

Changes in the circulatory system

After the attachment of the fetal egg in the uterus, the fetus begins to grow. He needs more nutrients and oxygen every day. To deliver them, the circulatory system begins to work differently, directing more blood to the uterus. Vessels from the pelvic area overflow, increase in volume and come into contact with the nerve endings in the lumbar region. There is a pulling pain. It is felt at 5-7 weeks of pregnancy. If the pain symptoms are not very pronounced, you can not worry. The body will rebuild, and the pain will pass without treatment. nine0003

Softening of the joints, ligaments

During childbirth, the joints and ligaments in the spine and pelvis should be well stretched. The body prepares in advance for the upcoming work. He already at an early stage begins to produce the hormone relaxin, which softens the joints and ligaments. Due to a change in their density, it can pull the lower back.

Uterine growth

At 9-10 weeks of pregnancy, the volume of the uterus already noticeably increases. The woman feels that the lower abdomen has become more firm and convex. The growing uterus begins to come into contact with other organs. With increased sensitivity, its pressure can be felt at an early stage. But more often women experience discomfort, mild pressing back pain in the second trimester. nine0003

Braxton-Higgs contractions

At the end of the first and beginning of the second trimester, spontaneous uterine contractions may occur, resembling labor pains, but less intense. Drawing cramping pain is given in the lower back. They can periodically disturb 2-3 weeks. If there are no other dangerous symptoms, medication, restriction of motor activity is not required.

Drawing back pain in pregnant women often occurs from natural causes. They do not pose a threat to the health of the expectant mother and the development of the fetus, do not require treatment. But it is necessary to tell the doctor about them in the antenatal clinic. He correlates them with other symptoms and will not miss the signs of an incipient miscarriage, other pathologies. nine0003

Dangerous conditions

Drawing pain in the lower back is often one of the signs of dangerous conditions:

• missed pregnancy, threatened miscarriage;
• diseases of the genitourinary system;
• osteochondrosis;
• symphysite;
• colds.

Missed pregnancy, threatened miscarriage

In case of missed pregnancy, threatened miscarriage, lower back pain is accompanied by bloody discharge from the vagina, cramping or constant aching pain in the lower abdomen. This is a dangerous condition. You need to immediately go to the hospital or call an ambulance. Do not refuse if the doctor suggests treatment in a hospital. To stop an incipient miscarriage, you need to administer drugs intravenously, limit physical activity, and constantly monitor the condition of the woman and fetus. nine0003

In case of miscarriage, examinations should be carried out to make sure that there are no particles of the fetus left in the uterus. This can cause a life-threatening inflammatory process or further infertility. Requires the introduction of drugs that enhance uterine contraction, relieve inflammation, or surgical intervention.

Diseases of the genitourinary system

Immunity in pregnant women is weakened. Hypothermia, malnutrition, increased stress can cause kidney disease. If the lower back is pulled during pregnancy on one side, on the right or on the left, check the functioning of the genitourinary system. Additional symptoms indicate problems with the kidneys: legs and arms swell, pressure and temperature rise, and pain occurs when urinating. Women with chronic kidney disease should be especially careful. They can worsen when the load on the diseased organ increases - in the second or third trimester, with a cold or eating salty, spicy, smoked, fatty foods. You cannot self-medicate. Taking the usual antibacterial drugs (Canephron, Levofloxacin, Furadonin) is undesirable for pregnant women. You need to see a nephrologist. He will prescribe a safe treatment. nine0003

Osteochondrosis

Starting from 7-8 weeks, the hormone relaxin begins to be produced, softening the joints and ligaments. If before conception a woman suffered from osteochondrosis, scoliosis, kyphosis, an exacerbation of diseases is possible even in the first or second trimester. An additional risk factor is rapid weight gain.

In women who have not previously suffered from osteochondrosis, it can develop in the later stages, when the spine is under a lot of stress due to a significant increase in body weight, a shift in the center of gravity, uterine pressure and softening of the joints and ligaments. The pain is pulling, exhausting, aggravated after a long stay in one position. With dystrophic tissue lesions, it can be felt on one side, left or right. Spinal problems can complicate childbirth. If you do not start treatment in a timely manner, do not engage in prevention, they will continue to progress after childbirth. nine0003

Symphysitis

If the production of the hormone relaxin is strongly activated, premature softening of the joints occurs, which can cause the pubic bones to diverge. This increases the risk of preterm birth. With the divergence of the pubic bones, the pain is shooting, sharp. She gives to the lower abdomen and lower back. There are swelling in the pubic area. To diagnose symphysitis, the doctor examines blood and urine tests, conducts an additional ultrasound examination, observes the dynamics of the development of the disease and decides on the possibility of natural childbirth or the need for a planned caesarean section. In the later stages, motor activity may be limited, strict bed rest is recommended. nine0003

Colds

Pregnancy increases the risk of complications from colds. Especially dangerous is the early period when the organs of the fetus are formed. A significant increase in temperature, infection, uncontrolled use of antibiotics can provoke serious pathologies.

It is necessary to consult a doctor and start treatment at the first symptoms of a cold. Lower back pain and body aches can occur when the temperature rises. It passes if it is knocked down using traditional medicine recommended by a doctor. But if it hurts in the lower back on the right or left, the temperature rises to 39degrees, there was a strong cough, shortness of breath - pneumonia is possible. You need to call a doctor at home or an ambulance.

Prevention and treatment

If you have pain in your lower back during pregnancy, do not take painkillers. If the pain is severe, but examinations have not shown dangerous pathologies, consult a doctor. After studying the causes and symptoms of pain, he will choose safe ways to alleviate the condition.

In the first trimester, you need to be especially careful. A woman may still not know about pregnancy, but pain is already appearing. With a delay in menstruation, even for 2-3 days, you need to coordinate drug treatment with your doctor. nine0003

The second trimester is the time when a woman intensively gains weight and the load on the musculoskeletal system increases, pressure on the internal organs. The doctor will advise you to wear a bandage for pregnant women and other non-drug ways to relieve and prevent pain.

The third trimester - the body prepares for childbirth, the joints soften, the bones in the pelvic area diverge. If it pulls the lower back, the lower abdomen hurts, you need to lie down. If the pain intensifies, becomes cramping, childbirth may begin. If the period is less than 38 weeks, call the doctor who manages the pregnancy and describe the symptoms. nine0003

Prevention of pain in the lower back

To reduce the risk of lower back pain, the development of diseases of the musculoskeletal system:

• do not lift heavy loads, in the early term, power loads can provoke a miscarriage, in the late term - premature birth;
• do not wear tight shoes, shoes and boots with high heels, they create an additional load on the spine;
• watch your weight, no need to eat "for two"; nine0008
• Eat more foods containing calcium, a mineral-vitamin complex recommended by your doctor;
• consult a doctor and start herbal medicine at the first sign of a cold, avoiding a significant increase in temperature;
• do not slouch, keep your back straight so that the load is distributed evenly;
• do not overwork, do not work for a long time in one position.

Keep fit. The muscular frame will reduce the load on the spine. Regular, but not too intense exercise, walks in the fresh air will strengthen the immune system, help control weight. Useful swimming in the pool or ponds with clean running water. Learn and regularly do a set of exercises for pregnant women. nine0003

Low back pain and pregnancy

As a result, there are changes in the spine, in the muscles of the abdomen and back and the shape of the lumbar curve of the spine (hyperlordosis), and all this becomes relaxed. Poor posture and poor muscle tone can also affect spinal mechanics.

The lumbar curve of the spine begins to slowly increase as the pelvis begins to move back. This posture begins to affect the weakened muscles and leads to the accumulation of fatigue in the muscles of the lower back. A woman may experience moderately painful muscle spasms at first, which may be the first sign of the possibility of persistent low back pain as the pregnancy progresses. The growing uterus shifts the center of gravity and weakens the abdominal muscles, changes posture and puts excessive stress on the back. If the uterus affects the nerves, then this can lead to pain. In addition, being overweight during pregnancy puts more stress on the muscles and joints, and therefore, by the end of the day, a pregnant woman may feel discomfort. nine0003

Experts describe the two most common patterns of low back pain during pregnancy: low back pain that occurs in the area of ​​the lumbar vertebrae in the lower back, and posterior pelvic pain, which is felt in the back of the pelvis. Some women have symptoms of both types of low back pain.

Lower back pain is similar to the pain that a woman experienced before pregnancy. Pain is felt in the lower back and around the spine, approximately at waist level. Women may also experience pain that radiates to the legs. Prolonged sitting or standing can aggravate the pain and, as a rule, the pain tends to increase towards the end of the day. Many more women experience back pelvic pain, which is felt less than lower back pain. The pain may be deep inside the buttocks, on one or both buttocks, or in the back of the thighs. Pain can be triggered by activities such as walking, climbing stairs, getting in and out of the bathroom on a low cabinet, turning in bed, or twisting and lifting heavy objects. nine0003

Positions that involve leaning forward, such as sitting, in a chair, and working at a desk while leaning forward, can exacerbate posterior pelvic pain. Women with posterior pelvic pain are also more likely to experience pain over the pubic bone.

When low back pain radiates to the buttocks and thighs, sciatica is often suspected - although sciatica is not very common in pregnant women. True sciatica, which can be caused by a herniated disc or the presence of a disc protrusion in the lumbar spine, occurs in only 1 percent of pregnant women. nine0003

If there is compression and inflammation of the sciatic nerve (disc herniation), then the pain in the legs is more severe than with normal low back pain. Pain can be felt not only in the thigh, but also below the knee or even radiate to the foot. It is also possible the presence of sensory disturbances, such as numbness or tingling sensations.

In severe sciatica, there may be numbness in the groin area, as well as in the genital area. You may also have trouble urinating or defecation. If a pregnant woman has suspicions of sciatica, then she must definitely contact her doctor. If symptoms such as impaired sensation in the legs and weakness in one or both legs or loss of sensation in the groin and impaired urination or defecation appear, then you need to see a doctor urgently! Such symptoms may be evidence of the development of the "cauda equina" syndrome in the presence of a herniated disc in a pregnant woman, and in such cases an emergency operation is necessary. nine0003

Risk factors for low back pain

It is not surprising that, most likely, low back pain in pregnant women is most likely if there were already pains before pregnancy or there were degenerative changes in the lumbar spine (protrusions, herniated discs).

Diagnosis of low back pain.

Examinations such as CT (MSCT) are rarely used to diagnose the causes of low back pain in pregnant women due to possible teratogenic effects on the fetus. MRI is also not recommended, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. But, if there are clinical indications, then MRI can be performed. Therefore, as a rule, the diagnosis of low back pain in pregnant women is mainly based on physical examination data, symptoms and medical history (for example, the presence of a disc herniation before pregnancy). nine0003

Treatment

The use of any medication during pregnancy is a big risk, since all the medication will also enter the body of the fetus. Therefore, the usual prescription of painkillers, muscle relaxants, or steroids (NSAIDs) for back pain is contraindicated in pregnant women. In addition, the use of acupuncture physiotherapy is also not recommended. It is possible to use light massage and very gentle manual therapy techniques.