A limited life – a mixed methods study on living with persistent pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain more than 12 years postpartum in Sweden

Abstract

Purpose The scope of this study is women’s descriptions of symptoms experienced through persistent pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain (PPLP) as well as their strategies to cope with the condition. Methods This is a mixed-method study based on questionnaire responses and inductive interviews with 12 Swedish women with self-reported PLP during pregnancy 2002 partaking in a 12-year postpartum follow-up questionnaire cohort. Test of statistical differences between the interview cohort and the total cohort was performed and the interviews were analysed through inductive qualitative content analysis. Results The questionnaire data showed that the interview sample reported significantly more pain than the questionnaire respondents but resembled the questionnaire respondents on most other characteristics. The theme “Balancing avoidance and activity” and its sub-themes illustrate the strategies the participants used to manage their situation on a daily basis. The pain was a constant reminder that led to evaluation of pros and cons for physical, social, and mental activities as well as the search for therapies and treatments. Conclusions For the women who participated in the interviews, living with persistent pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain caused limitations and negatively affected various and major parts of life to a far greater extent than previously known. Implications for rehabilitation Persisting pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain affects various and major parts of life, including working, physical and social activities, and psychological well-being. Rehabilitation should focus on individualized physical activities and effective coping strategies. Effort should be put into helping the patient find fulfilling explanatory reasons for the persisting pregnancy-related lumbopelvic pain.