Lumbar (low back) pain

Lumbar pain during pregnancy is generally located at and above the waist in the center of the back. Individuals may or may not experience pain that radiates into the leg or foot. In general, lumbar pain during pregnancy is similar to low back pain experienced by non-pregnant women. This type of pain typically increases with prolonged postures (such as sitting, standing, or repetitive lifting). Tenderness may also be present in the muscles along the spine.

Posterior pelvic or SIJ pain

Posterior pelvic pain (in back of the pelvis) is four times more prevalent than lumbar pain in pregnancy. It is a deep, often sharp stabbing pain felt below and into the groin or anterior thigh, and/or below the waistline on either side across the tailbone (sacrum). This type of pain may be experienced on one or both sides. Posterior pelvic pain can extend down into the buttock and upper portion of the posterior (in back of) thighs, and does not usually radiate below the knees. The pain may be fleeting with an underlying dull ache. Several activities seem to commonly aggravate SI pain:

• Rolling in bed or rolling out of bed in the morning.
• Climbing stairs
• Sitting and rising from a seated position (such as getting in and out of cars, bathtubs, bed)
• Lifting, twisting, bending forward

Treatment  

Treatment choices must take into account the safety of both mother and child. Most women can be successfully treated with careful non-operative conservative interventions.