Low Back Pain Intensity and Core Muscle Strength After Different Delivery Modes

Testing the Association Between Low Back Pain Intensity and Core Muscle Strength in Women Who Underwent Cesarean or Vaginal Deliveries

Cesarean delivery (CD) may trigger an increase in low back pain (LBP) intensity and induce core muscle weakness. This study will assess the correlation between low back pain intensity and core muscle strength of transverse abdominis and Lumbar multifidus among women who underwent CD and compare it with those who experienced vaginal delivery.

Cesarean delivery (CD) is one of the most common surgical procedures in obstetrics, and it is also one of the oldest medical procedures. The rise in the rate of cesarean sections is one of the most striking hallmarks of modern obstetrics.

In Egypt, the prevalence of CD has increased dramatically over the last decade, with the most recent Egypt Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) reporting a rate of 52 percent, implying that cesarean sections may be overused or utilized for improper reasons.

The two deep local core muscles are the transversus abdominis and the lumbar multifidus muscles. The definition of Core muscle strength is the active ability of these muscles to not only produce but also, maintain stresses to provide stability for the spine through management of the intra-abdominal pressure.

LBP prevalence in mothers undergoing cesarean delivery was higher compared to its counterpart in mothers undergoing vaginal delivery. The related mechanisms for LBP during the postpartum period following cesarean or vaginal deliveries may be overweight and obesity, postural adaptations, and stressful positions that mothers assume during either delivery or lactation.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. All women are either primiparous or multiparous.
2. Their ages ranged from 18 to 35 years.
3. All participants had a body mass index (BMI) of not more than 29.5, and a waist-to-hip ratio of not more than 1.
4. Participants were assessed between the 6th week to the 12th week postnatal.
5. All participants were able to continue all assessment procedures.
6. They were medically stable.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Women who were below 18 years old or above 35 years old.
2. Women who had a (BMI) above 29.5 or a waist-to-hip ratio above 1.
3. Women who did not continue all assessment procedures.
4. Women who had a past history of specific LBP as those who were diagnosed with spondylolisthesis, lumbar disc prolapse, or structural scoliosis.