MUSCULOSKELETAL CHANGES IN PREGNANCY

Pregnancy is a normal physiological condition that alters the biomechanics, hormone regulation and vascular dynamics to provide a suitable environment for fetal growth. These physiological alterations are associated with a diverse array of musculoskeletal problems. The musculoskeletal changes vary and intensify as pregnancy progresses through the trimesters. The first trimester includes low back pain and muscle cramps the second includes low back pain, cramps, edema, and carpal tunnel syndrome, whereas the third includes mental stress, leg cramps, edema, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Low back pain is the most common condition, with a prevalence of approximately 30% to 70%.