Musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy and its impact on quality of life: A cross-sectional study.

Cross-sectionalEuropean journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology: X· Sep 2026

Musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy and its impact on quality of life: A cross-sectional study.

Mashael Alshebly, Laila Alfarhan, Renad AlAtawi … Shoug Alkhalifa

Read paper

Maternal-Fetal MedicineCross-sectionalClinical practiceQ2IF 2.2

Lower back pain is the most common musculoskeletal pain site in pregnancy.

Musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy and its impact on quality of life: A cross-sectional study.

Mashael Alshebly … Shoug Alkhalifa

European journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology: X · Sep 2026 · Q2 in Obstetrics & Gynecology

Background

Musculoskeletal (musculoskeletal) pain is a common condition during pregnancy, yet its broader functional, psychological, and social impacts remain underexplored, particularly in Middle Eastern populations.

Purpose

This study aimed to assess the prevalence and distribution of musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy, evaluate its impact on health-related quality of life (health-related quality of life), and identify associated sociodemographic, obstetric, and lifestyle factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 pregnant women attending a tertiary university hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

n = 300 pregnant women

Results

most pregnant women with musculoskeletal pain feel it in the lower back

Multiparity

3.12AOR

Physical inactivity

2.34AOR

More results

The mean age of participants was 32.5 ± 5.5 years, and 54.3% were in their third trimester.

The mean overall health-related quality of life score was 51.9 ± 18.5, with 47.3% of participants classified as having poor quality of life.

More results

Musculoskeletal pain was significantly associated with lower scores in physical functioning, mental health, social functioning, and overall quality of life.

Multivariate analysis identified multiparity (AOR = 3.12) and physical inactivity (AOR = 2.34) as independent predictors of musculoskeletal pain.

“

Conclusion · 1 of 2

Musculoskeletal pain-particularly lower back pain-is highly prevalent during pregnancy and is significantly associated with reduced quality of life. Multiparity and physical inactivity are important associated factors.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

Promoting antenatal physical activity and targeted patient education may help reduce the burden of musculoskeletal pain.

Musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy and its impact on quality of life: A cross-sectional study.

Musculoskeletal pain during pregnancy and its impact on quality of life: A cross-sectional study.

Related papers