Risk Factors for Back Pain in Labor by Alan Strobel, M.D

Risk Factors for Back Pain in Labor by Alan Strobel, M.D.

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One of the most common questions I field as an Obstetrical Anesthesiologist is, “Will I get back pain from an epidural?”

Lower back pain (LBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints of pregnant women.

Rates are known to range from 25% to 90%, with most studies are estimating that 50% of pregnant women will suffer from some degree of LBP[1]. The majority of women are affected in their first pregnancy[2]. Eighty percent of women suffering from LBP claim that it affects their daily routine and 10% of them report that they are unable to stay at work[3].

For some women, it may be an exacerbation of chronic low back pain and for others there may be a newonset of disabling pain during pregnancy and for a variable period postpartum.

Lower back pain (LBP) during pregnancy may be the result of mechanical, hormonal and other factors, associated with the changes of the body during pregnancy1.

The nedicalliterature clearly indicates that LBP (acute or chronic) may be disabling, limiting everyday activities thereby impacting productivity and should not be ignored or left untreated.

The most common risk factor for lower back pain includes “history of pelvic trauma, chronic LBP and low back pain during a previous pregnancy[4]. Eighty five percent of women with back pain in a previous pregnancy will develop back pain in a subsequent pregnancy; [5]It seems the number of previous pregnancies also seems to increase this risk[6].

The association between a woman’s age, high workload and low back pain during pregnancy remains unclear[7]…Lower back pain and menstruation is an additional risk factor for pregnancy related LBP[8]. On the contrary, exercise on a regular basis before the pregnancy seems to reduce the risk of suffering from LP during the pregnancy[9].

The literature is unanimous in agreeing that epidural or spinal anesthesia during labour is not associated with a higher risk of persistent postpartum LBP[10].

The main risk factor associated with persistent back pain (postpartum)is an onset of severe pain at an early gestation in the index pregnancy, as well as the inability to reduce weight to their pre-pregnant level.

The literature lists conventional treatment options to include “exercising, physiotherapy … nerve stimulation, pharmacological agents, acupuncture, massage, relaxation, and yoga. Of note, more vigorous treatments should be applied in serious cases associated with neurologic complications, such as disc herniation. Personally, I have found Pilates coupled with physical therapy to offer the most effective rehabilitation option.

Most women consider LBP as an inevitable, normal discomfort during pregnancy. Only 50% of women suffering from pregnancy- related LBP will seek advice from a health care professional and 70% of them will receive some kind of treatment[11]. Early identification and treatment, taking intoconsideration the individuality of every woman and pregnancy, provides the opportunity for the best possible outcome. LBP has a very good functional prognosis and most women recover during the first months after childbirth.

[1]Hippokratia. 2011 Jul;15(3):205-10. Pregnancy-related low back painP Katonis,1A Kampouroglou,1A Aggelopoulos,1K Kakavelakis,1S Lykoudis,1A Makrigiannakis,2 and K Alpantaki1

[2] . Wang SM, Dezinno P, Maranets I, Berman MR, Caldwell-Andrews AA, Kain ZN. Low back pain during pregnancy: prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes. Obstet Gynecol. 2004;104:65–70.

[3]Mens JM, Vleeming A, Stoeckart R, Stam HJ, Snijders CJ. Understanding peripartum pelvic pain.Implications of a patient survey.Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 1996;21:1363–1369. discussion 1369-1370.

[4]Sabino J, Grauer JN. Pregnancy and low back pain.Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2008;1:137–141.

[5]Bastiaanssen JM, de Bie RA, Bastiaenen CH, Essed GG, van den Brandt PA. A historical perspective on pregnancy-related low back and/or pelvic girdle pain.Eur J ObstetGynecolReprod Biol. 2005;120:3–14.

Stapleton DB, MacLennan AH, Kristiansson P. The prevalence of recalled low back pain during and after pregnancy: a South Australian population survey. Aust N Z J ObstetGynaecol.2002;42:482–485.

Mens JM, Damen L, Snijders CJ, Stam HJ. The mechanical effect of a pelvic belt in patients with pregnancy-related pelvic pain.ClinBiomech (Bristol, Avon) 2006;21:122–127.

[6]Ostgaard HC, Andersson GB, Karlsson K. Prevalence of back pain in pregnancy.Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 1991;16:549–552.

[7]Vleeming A, Albert HB, Ostgaard HC, Sturesson B, Stuge B. European guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic girdle pain. Eur Spine J. 2008;17:794–819.

Perkins J, Hammer RL, Loubert PV. Identification and management of pregnancy-related low back pain.J Nurse Midwifery. 1998;43:331–340.

Wang SM, Dezinno P, Maranets I, Berman MR, Caldwell-Andrews AA, Kain ZN. Low back pain during pregnancy: prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes. Obstet Gynecol. 2004;104:65–70.

[8]Wang SM, Dezinno P, Maranets I, Berman MR, Caldwell-Andrews AA, Kain ZN. Low back pain during pregnancy: prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes. Obstet Gynecol. 2004;104:65–70.

[9]Vleeming A, Albert HB, Ostgaard HC, Sturesson B, Stuge B. European guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic girdle pain. Eur Spine J. 2008;17:794–819.

[10]Mogren IM. Does caesarean section negatively influence the post-partum prognosis of low back pain and pelvic pain during pregnancy? Eur Spine J. 2007;16:115–121

[11]Mogren IM. Previous physical activity decreases the risk of low back pain and pelvic pain during pregnancy. Scand J Public Health. 2005;33:300–306