BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There is increase in energetic supply during gestation to meet both mother and fetus needs, being low back pain a characteristic symptom of this period. This study aimed at correlating weight gain during gestation and low back pain intensity METHOD: A questionnaire was developed for pregnant women with socio-demographic and anthropometric data, and the pain visual analog scale (VAS). Weight and pain intensity were measured from the 6th to the 9th gestational month, and pregnant women were informed about the scale classification and were oriented to score it according to their pain. RESULTS: The comparative chart of averages has shown significant weight and body mass index (BMI) gains (p < 0.001); the comparison between weight and pain intensity in the 6th and 9th months has shown a weak (r = 0.307) and non-significant (p > 0.05) Pearson's correlation in the 6th month, and a moderate (r = 0.452) and significant (p < 0.05) correlation in the 9th month. When comparing pain to low back pain in the ninth month of gestation, there has been a moderate (r = 0.532) and significant (p < 0.05) correlation between variables. CONCLUSION: There has been correlation between weight gain and low back pain intensity in pregnant women.
Low back pain; Physical therapy; Pregnancy; Weight gain
