Abstract:
Background: Musculoskeletal pain (MSKP) during pregnancy is a common entity that might
affect the quality of life. Identifying the type of pain and associated characteristics can help
manage MSKP during the pre and postnatal period.
Objective: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of MSKP during pregnancy and
whether there is any association between pain characteristics and mode of delivery. We
hypothesise mothers who experience severe MSKP will have cesarian delivery compared to
mothers who experience less pain during their pregnancy period
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 150 postpartum mothers using a convenient
sampling method in two women's hospitals. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was
developed and validated before the study. The questions related demographics, delivery history,
MSKP (using Numerical Pain Rating Scale), pain location (body chart), and activity level during
pregnancy period were included. Descriptive and Chi-square tests were performed using SPSS
25.0 version. Pain characteristics were considered as independent variables and mode delivery was
considered as a dependent variable in the analysis.
Results: The mean±SD age of the participants was 30.37±5.25 years. Prevalence of MSKP was
75.33% (n=113) and 38% (n=57) had moderate pain during their pregnancy according to the
Numerical Pain Rating Scale. Out of those, 95.6% (n=108) of the women experienced pain during
the third trimester and 85.0% (n=96) had pain in the lumbar region while 71.68% (n=81)
experienced localized pain. Amidst, 56.6% (n=64) mentioned limitations in their daily activities
due to pain. The percentage of normal vaginal deliveries was 62.0% (n=93). There was no
significant association between mode of delivery and pain characteristics (pain score p=0.085, 3rd
trimester p=0.806, pelvis pain p=0.238, lumbar pain, p=0.774, localized pain p=0.349).
Conclusions: Prevalence of MSKP is high during pregnancy period in Sri Lanka. The number of
pregnant mothers engaging in physical activities in the form of set exercises is less. The
hypothesis was rejected and no association between pain and mode of delivery among pregnant
women.
