The type of prenatal back pain and the intensity can vary from one woman to the next and women who experience this problem during their first pregnancy will be pre-disposed to back pain during subsequent pregnancies. Pregnancy back pain symptoms can include:

• A dull and persistent ache in the lower back
• Pain that radiates from the lower back into the buttocks which is generally caused by lumbar spinal stenosis
• Pain that occurs near your pelvis and feels like it is deep within your lower back (also known as posterior pelvic pain)
• Tingling or numbness that moves from the lower back and down one or both legs (sciatica)
  

  Causes

   

  Hormonal changes during pregnancy are the underlying cause of back pain during pregnancy. Pregnant women have high levels of a hormone relaxin which loosens the ligaments in the pelvic area to prepare for childbirth. However, this hormone also loosens the ligaments in the spine which leads to spinal instability and therefore back pain. It can take a while for these hormonal levels to come back to normal which is why post-natal back pain is not uncommon. Some of the other causes of prenatal back pain include:

  • Posture changes due to a shift in the centre of gravity
  • Excessive weight gain will increase the stress on the back muscles
  • Psychological stress can result in the tightening of back muscles and lead to back pain