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What is the Connection Between Back Pain and Miscarriage?

Erin J. Hill
Erin J. Hill

Back pain and miscarriage are related only in that it is commonly reported that severe lower back ache can occur during the miscarriage process. This is typically accompanied by other symptoms, as a back ache alone does not signal a problem in most pregnancies. In fact, lower back ache and soreness is a common symptom of a healthy pregnancy.

The number of women who experience back pain together with a miscarriage is relatively high, although other symptoms are far more common. Other indicators of a miscarriage are bleeding from the vagina, sudden loss of pregnancy symptoms, and severe lower abdominal cramping. Once the miscarriage has begun, the cramps and back ache may come in intervals simultaneously, much like in a full term pregnancy during labor.

Severe lower back pain during a pregnancy does not always signal a miscarriage.
Severe lower back pain during a pregnancy does not always signal a miscarriage.

Women who experience back pain and miscarriage at the same time may have a tilted uterus or the baby may be pushed against the back if it is large enough to do so. During a miscarriage, women are typically given pain medications to help alleviate the symptoms, but these are not always effective for all women.

Severe back pain without the occurrence of other symptoms does not always signal a miscarriage. Some level of back ache is normal in a healthy pregnancy. This is first caused by the loosening of the joints and other muscles and then due to the weight of the baby pulling on the back muscles. Pain early in pregnancy is generally mild, although every woman experiences her symptoms differently.

Having one miscarriage does not indicate that a woman will suffer another.
Having one miscarriage does not indicate that a woman will suffer another.

In some rare cases, back pain and miscarriage may be the only symptoms of pregnancy loss before bleeding occurs. Pain may only be a dull ache and then progress into more severe spasms, although this is not always the case. Sometimes back pain is not present at all. Other times, there are not symptoms of miscarriage at all until bleeding occurs.

Having one miscarriage does not indicate that a woman will suffer another. Pregnancy loss in the first trimester is relatively common and does not always indicate a problem with fertility. Multiple miscarriages should be investigated further to rule out the possibility of genetic abnormalities or physical problems with the uterus or cervix. In most cases, it is thought that early pregnancy loss is due to a severe developmental issue in the fetus which causes life to be impossible outside the womb. This causes the body to abort the pregnancy naturally to ensure the survival of the species.

Discussion Comments

bluedolphin

I don't think that lower back pain during pregnancy is enough to decide whether a miscarriage is happening or not.

I had horrible back pain for most of my pregnancy. It started soon after four months and got worse and worse until birth. It was so bad that I didn't get much sleep on most nights because of the pain.

Aside from this though, I was completely healthy and so was the baby. There were no complications with my pregnancy or birth.

bear78

@fBoyle-- If you're having serious pain, you should go to the hospital and have an ultrasound taken to make sure that everything is okay.

Even if someone has all the symptoms of miscarriage: back pain, bleeding, cramping and spasms and is sure that a miscarriage has happened, it's still necessary to go to the doctor. The doctor most likely has to clean up the remaining tissue and placenta to prevent an infection.

Risk of miscarriage in the first trimester is high. That's why I think that any pregnant women in the first trimester experiencing anything more than mild back pain should go and get checked out.

fBoyle

I'm pregnant with severe back pain but no bleeding, what should I do? Am I having a miscarriage?

I understand that back pain doesn't always mean a miscarriage, but if there is bleeding, there is no doubt right?

So should I wait to see if there will be bleeding or should I go in to the emergency room? My doctor is out of town and won't be back until next week.

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    • Severe lower back pain during a pregnancy does not always signal a miscarriage.
      By: Dana Heinemann
      Severe lower back pain during a pregnancy does not always signal a miscarriage.
    • Having one miscarriage does not indicate that a woman will suffer another.
      By: olesiabilkei
      Having one miscarriage does not indicate that a woman will suffer another.
    • Women are advised to rest physically and emotionally after a miscarriage.
      By: Monkey Business
      Women are advised to rest physically and emotionally after a miscarriage.
    • Women who have experienced a miscarriage may benefit from counseling.
      By: Monkey Business
      Women who have experienced a miscarriage may benefit from counseling.
    • Performing gentle stretching exercises may help alleviate lower back pain during pregnancy.
      By: evgenyatamanenko
      Performing gentle stretching exercises may help alleviate lower back pain during pregnancy.