Pregnancy-Related Lumbopelvic Pain: Listening to Australian Women

Objective . To investigate the prevalence and nature of lumbo-pelvic pain (LPP), that is experienced by women in the lumbar and/or sacro-iliac area and/or symphysis pubis during pregnancy. Design . Cross-sectional, descriptive study. Setting . An Australian public hospital antenatal clinic. Sample population: Women in their third trimester of pregnancy. Method . Women were recruited to the study as they presented for their antenatal appointment. A survey collected demographic data and was used to self report LPP. A pain diagram differentiated low back, pelvic girdle or combined pain. Closed and open ended questions explored the experiences of the women. Main Outcome Measures . The Visual Analogue Scale and the Oswestry Disability Index (Version 2.1a). Results . There was a high prevalence of self reported LPP during the pregnancy (71%). An association was found between the reporting of LPP, multiparity, and a previous history of LPP. The mean intensity score for usual pain was 6/10 and four out of five women reported disability associated with the condition. Most women (71%) had reported their symptoms to their maternity carer however only a small proportion of these women received intervention. Conclusion . LPP is a potentially significant health issue during pregnancy.