The influence of gestational trimester, physical activity practice and weight gain on the low back and pelvic pain intensity in low risk pregnant women

BACKGROUND: Low back and pelvic pain in pregnant women is a clinical condition of which the etiology is multifactorial. Thus, various variables can influence the low back and pelvic pain’s intensity. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of the gestational trimester, practice of physical activity and weight gain on the intensity of low back and pelvic pain in low risk pregnant women. METHODS: Two hundred and sixty-seven pregnant women participated in this study. The gestational age, body mass index, weight gain, physical activity practice and the low back and pelvic pain were evaluated. RESULTS: We found a significant difference ([Formula: see text] 0.02) in pain intensity, when comparing active and sedentary pregnant women. No significant differences were found when comparing pain intensity between the gestational trimesters (2 [Formula: see text] versus 3 [Formula: see text]; [Formula: see text] 0.60). There was no significant relation between the weight gain and pain intensity ([Formula: see text] 0.03 [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] 0.28). The multivariate analysis indicated that sedentary pregnant women have a higher risk ([Formula: see text] 0.001) of intense pain and the pain is not influenced by the weight gain ([Formula: see text] 0.08) and the gestational trimester ([Formula: see text] 0.98). CONCLUSIONS: Sedentary pregnant women have 30% more chances to have higher pain intensities when compared to the active women, regardless of the gestational trimester and weight gain.