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Back Pain During Pregnancy: What Helps, When to Act

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The NHS says that during pregnancy the ligaments in your body naturally soften and stretch to prepare you for labour, which can strain the joints of your lower back and pelvis and cause back pain. 1 The Office on Women's Health says that as your uterus expands, you may feel aches and pains in the back, abdomen, groin area, and thighs. 2

Key takeaways

  • The NHS says that during pregnancy the ligaments in your body naturally soften and stretch to prepare you for labour, which can strain the joints of your lower back and pelvis and cause back pain. 1
  • MedlinePlus says that as your uterus grows it may press on the nerves in your legs, causing numbness and tingling that is normal and goes away after you give birth, though it may take a few weeks to months. 3
  • The Office on Women's Health says sciatica is pain that runs from the lower back, down the back of one leg, to the knee or foot. 2
  • MedlinePlus says sciatica pain most often occurs on one side of the body. 4
  • The NHS says you can take paracetamol to ease back pain while you are pregnant, unless your GP or midwife says not to. 1
  • MedlinePlus says to watch for pain and swelling in one leg but not the other, because this can be a sign of a blood clot. 3

Urgent: back-pain warning signs

**MedlinePlus says to contact your provider right away if you have back pain with an unexplained fever, back pain after a severe blow or fall, redness or swelling on the back or spine, pain travelling down your legs below the knee, weakness or numbness in your buttocks, thigh, leg or pelvis, burning with urination or blood in your urine, pain that is worse when you lie down or that awakens you at night, severe pain that you cannot get comfortable with, or loss of control of urine or stool.** 4 **MedlinePlus also says to watch for pain and swelling in one leg but not the other, because this can be a sign of a blood clot, and to let your provider know if this happens.** 3 **In the UK, the NHS says to contact your GP or midwife urgently if you have back pain and you are in your second or third trimester, as this could be a sign of early labour, or if you also have a fever, bleeding from your vagina, pain when you pee, or pain in one or more of your sides under your ribs.** 1 **The NHS says to call 999 or go to A&E if you have back pain and you lose feeling in one or both of your legs, your bottom, or your genitals.** 1

**A quick, honest note:** we're not medical professionals - everything here was researched by us from the public sources listed at the bottom of this page, and it isn't professional advice. Read our full note ↓

Why do I have back pain during pregnancy?

The NHS says back pain during pregnancy can happen because the ligaments in your body naturally soften and stretch to prepare you for labour, which can strain the joints of your lower back and pelvis. 1 MedlinePlus says a hormone loosens ligaments throughout your body during pregnancy, and that these looser ligaments are more easily injured, most often in the back. 3 The Office on Women's Health says many women have backaches and aching near the pelvic bone due to the pressure of the baby's head, increased weight, and loosening joints. 2 The Office on Women's Health says, "As your uterus expands, you may feel aches and pains in the back, abdomen, groin area, and thighs." 2

MedlinePlus says that as your uterus grows it may press on the nerves in your legs, which may cause numbness and tingling in your legs and toes, and that this is normal and will go away after you give birth, though it may take a few weeks to months. 3 MedlinePlus adds to have your provider check any persistent numbness, tingling, or weakness in any extremity, to make sure there is not a more serious problem. 3 The Office on Women's Health says some pregnant women have pain that runs from the lower back, down the back of one leg, to the knee or foot, which is called sciatica, and that this is thought to occur when the uterus puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. 2 MedlinePlus says sciatica refers to pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the leg, caused by injury to or pressure on the sciatic nerve. 4 MedlinePlus says, "The pain most often occurs on one side of the body." 4

How can I relieve back pain in pregnancy?

For easing back pain in pregnancy, the NHS says, "You can take paracetamol to ease back pain while you are pregnant, unless your GP or midwife says not to." 1 The NHS adds to always follow the instructions on the packet. 1 MedlinePlus says the looser ligaments of pregnancy are more easily injured, most often in the back, so it says to be careful when you lift and exercise. 3

Is back pain a sign of labor?

The NHS says that back pain in your second or third trimester could be a sign of early labour, and that you should contact your GP or midwife urgently if you have it. 1 The NHS also says to contact your GP or midwife urgently if you have back pain together with a fever, bleeding from your vagina or pain when you pee, or pain in one or more of your sides under your ribs. 1

When is back pain in pregnancy an emergency?

MedlinePlus says to contact your provider right away if you have back pain with an unexplained fever, back pain after a severe blow or fall, redness or swelling on the back or spine, pain travelling down your legs below the knee, weakness or numbness in your buttocks, thigh, leg or pelvis, burning with urination or blood in your urine, pain that is worse when you lie down or that awakens you at night, severe pain that you cannot get comfortable with, or loss of control of urine or stool. 4 MedlinePlus also says to watch for pain and swelling in one leg but not the other, because this can be a sign of a blood clot, and to let your provider know if this happens. 3 The NHS says to call 999 or go to A&E if you have back pain and you lose feeling in one or both of your legs, your bottom, or your genitals. 1

Frequently asked questions

Why do I have back pain during pregnancy?

The NHS says that during pregnancy the ligaments in your body naturally soften and stretch to prepare you for labour, which can strain the joints of your lower back and pelvis and cause back pain. 1 The Office on Women's Health says many women also have backaches and aching near the pelvic bone due to the pressure of the baby's head, increased weight, and loosening joints. 2

How can I relieve back pain in pregnancy?

The NHS says you can take paracetamol to ease back pain while you are pregnant, unless your GP or midwife says not to. 1 MedlinePlus says the looser ligaments of pregnancy are more easily injured, most often in the back, so it says to be careful when you lift and exercise. 3

Is back pain a sign of labor?

The NHS says to contact your GP or midwife urgently if you have back pain and you are in your second or third trimester, because this could be a sign of early labour. 1

When is back pain in pregnancy an emergency?

The NHS says to call 999 or go to A&E if you have back pain and you lose feeling in one or both of your legs, your bottom, or your genitals. 1 MedlinePlus says to contact your provider right away if you have back pain with an unexplained fever, back pain after a severe blow or fall, redness or swelling on the back or spine, pain travelling down your legs below the knee, weakness or numbness in your buttocks, thigh, leg or pelvis, burning with urination or blood in your urine, pain that is worse when you lie down or that awakens you at night, severe pain that you cannot get comfortable with, or loss of control of urine or stool. 4

A note from us

We're the team behind Yael & Michal. We are not doctors, nurses, lactation consultants, or psychologists, and nothing here is professional advice.

Everything above was researched by us from public, reputable sources - we name and link every one of them below - and summarized as carefully as we could, as a free resource for other mothers. We do this because we wished something like it had existed for us.

When we name an organisation such as the CDC, the NHS, La Leche League, or the Israeli Ministry of Health, we are only citing their published guidance; it does not mean they endorse, sponsor, approve, or are affiliated with us. They have no involvement with this site, and we never use their logos or seals.

Yael & Michal sells nursing bras, which are comfort garments and not medical devices; we do not claim they prevent, treat, or cure any medical condition. The health information here is written for you as a free resource - it is separate from anything we sell.

We try hard to get it right, and we cite our sources so you can check us. But we are not a medical authority, and this cannot replace talking to a professional who knows you and your baby. Please check anything that matters with your doctor, midwife, or an IBCLC lactation consultant. This content has not been reviewed by a medical professional. Reading this site does not create a doctor-patient relationship, or any other professional relationship, between you and us.

If something feels urgent, contact your healthcare provider or emergency services.

Read our full Medical Disclaimer · How we research and write · Content Terms

Sources

  1. NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/related-conditions/common-symptoms/back-pain/ (retrieved 2026-07-10).
  2. Office on Women's Health. https://womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/youre-pregnant-now-what/body-changes-and-discomforts (retrieved 2026-07-10).
  3. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000580.htm (retrieved 2026-07-10).
  4. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000686.htm (retrieved 2026-07-10).