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)

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