Common Minor Disorders and Complaints in Pregnancy

Bladder problems
Urinary complaints are common and range from an increased frequency of micturition in early pregnancy to the acute urinary retention occasionally seen with a retroverted uterus incarcerated in the pelvis. The association between urinary tract complications in pregnancy and the occurrence of preterm labour makes this investigation and prompt treatment of particular importance.

Pelvic, lower abdominal and back pain
In the pelvis there is a progressive softening, stretching and hypertrophy of the ligaments, and as the axis of the uterus changes, the positional relationship with the uterus and each other are altered leading occasionally to severe round ligamentary pain in the mid-trimester. The pubic symphysis, sacro-coccygeal and sacro-iliac joints are affected by the softening of the fibro-cartilage which occurs in response to pregnancy (see Gynaesurgeon.co.uk - Anatomy & Physiology). The pubic symphysis gradually widens and there is an increased tendency to separation and instability of gait especially in the third trimester. These conditions may be associated with intense pain. As a result of the protrusion of the gravid uterus there is a compensatory increase in lumbar lordosis. It is believed that the combination of all these factors contributes to the backache that is a frequent complaint among pregnant women.