Musculoskeletal Changes in pregnancy

• The musculoskeletal system undergoes significant changes to support weight gain, posture change, and fetal growth during pregnancy
• The main musculoskeletal changes include:
  • Increased joint laxity: The looseness of the joints increases during pregnancy. This is due to increased relaxin levels that relax the ligaments (the bands of tissue that connect bones) and increase the range of motion of the joints. The joint laxity increases progressively throughout pregnancy and reaches its highest point at term.
  • Increased spinal curvature: The shape of the spine changes during pregnancy. This is due to increased weight gain, breast size, abdominal protrusion, and decreased abdominal muscle tone that alters the center of gravity and posture of the body. The spinal curvature increases progressively throughout pregnancy and reaches its highest point at term.



• • Increased muscle strain: The stress on the muscles increases during pregnancy. This is due to increased weight gain, joint laxity, spinal curvature, and decreased muscle strength that affect the balance and stability of the body. The muscle strain increases progressively throughout pregnancy and reaches its highest point at term.
• The musculoskeletal changes result in increased mobility (the ability to move freely) and decreased stability (the ability to maintain balance) that support weight gain, posture change, and fetal growth during pregnancy
• The musculoskeletal changes may cause symptoms such as back pain, pelvic pain, leg cramps, or carpal tunnel syndrome (numbness or tingling in the hand) that are normal or abnormal depending on the severity, duration, and frequency