Interventions for preventing and treating backache in pregnancy

More than a third of women experience back pain during pregnancy.

The objective of the review was to assess the effects of preventive interventions and treatments for backache in pregnancy.

We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register.

Randomised trials of any treatment to reduce the incidence or severity of back pain in pregnancy, or to prevent back pain arising in pregnancy.

Trial quality was assessed and data were extracted independently by two reviewers.

One trial of 109 women was included. This cross-over trial compared the use of a special shaped pillow to fit under the woman's abdomen (Ozzlo pillow) with a standard pillow. Women experienced less pain in the week when they used the Ozzlo pillow than in the week with the standard pillow (odds ratio 0.32, 95% confidence interval 0.18 to 0.58).

Specially shaped pillows appear to help reduce back pain in late pregnancy and improve sleep.