The Frequency of Back Pain, Lumbar Pain, And Pelvic Girdle Pain During Pregnancy

Abstract

Background

Upper back pain, lower back pain, and pelvic girdle pain are common problems during pregnancy. There is limited research in Turkey on their prevalence and associated factors.

Aim

This study aims to determine the frequency of upper back, lower back, and pelvic girdle pain occurring in the second half of pregnancy and its associated factors.

Methods

A descriptive, cross-sectional, and correlational study was conducted on 515 pregnant women between December 2019 and May 2020. Data were collected using a questionnaire. The questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics and the pelvic girdle questionnaire.

Findings

The study included 515 pregnant women. The mean age was 28.31 ± 3.86 years, and the mean gestational age was 32.78 ± 5.41 weeks. Of the participants, 2.7% reported upper back pain, 22.3% reported lower back pain, and 59% reported pelvic girdle pain. The mean pain score for those with upper back pain was 56.66 ± 30.11; for lower back pain, it was 48.19 ± 18.44; and for pelvic girdle pain was 10.60 ± 7.69. Maternal characteristics, including age, education level, employment status, smoking status, regular exercise, parity, gravidity, and gestational age, were significantly important determinants of pelvic girdle pain (PGP) during pregnancy.

Conclusion

More than half of pregnant women reported PGP. The prevalence of PGP was higher than that of upper and lower back pain. Specific maternal sociodemographic characteristics influenced PGP during pregnancy.