Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain in the Netherlands.
OBJECTIVE
In this longitudinal cohort study, we assessed the prevalence, associated delivery-related and psychosocial factors and consequences of self-reported pelvic girdle pain during and after pregnancy in the Netherlands.


METHODS
A total of 412 women, expecting their first child, answered questionnaires regarding back and pelvic girdle pain, habits, and biomedical, sociodemographic and psychosocial factors, at 12 and 36 weeks gestation, and 3 and 12 months after delivery. In addition, birth records were obtained. Possible associations were studied using non-parametric tests.


RESULTS
The prevalence of self-reported pelvic girdle pain was at its peak in late pregnancy (7.3%). One out of 7 women suffering from pelvic girdle pain at 36 weeks gestation, and almost half of the women suffering from pelvic girdle pain 3 months after delivery, continued to report symptoms 1 year after delivery. Women reporting pelvic girdle pain are less mobile than women without pain or women with back pain only, and more frequently have to use a wheelchair or crutches. No association was found between obstetric factors and pelvic girdle pain. Women with pelvic girdle pain report more co-morbidity and depressive symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Normal obstetric procedures can be followed in women reporting pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain. Prognosis is generally good, however, women reporting pelvic girdle pain 3 months after delivery need extra consideration. Attention needs to be given to psychosocial factors, in particular depressive symptoms.
Van De Pol
Geerte
G
Department of Perinatology and Gynaecology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, GA, The Netherlands. geertev@hotmail.com
Van Brummen
H Jorien
HJ
Bruinse
Hein W
HW
Heintz
A Peter M
AP
Van Der Vaart
C Huub
CH
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome