Between 50% and 70% of pregnant women experience back pain related to their pregnancy, and for 10% of them, it's so severe that they cannot continue working or enjoying daily activities.

Easing the discomfort can be difficult. The Food and Drug Administration says that NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, and celecoxib are to be avoided after the 20th week of pregnancy because they can cause rare but serious kidney problems in an unborn baby, leading to low levels of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby and additional complications.

The often-recommended alternative is acetaminophen. The FDA and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists say that it's safe during pregnancy — with your doctor's permission.

However, a new study in PLOS One looked at 1,011 women who reported using acetaminophen during pregnancy and discovered that at age 3, their kids had significantly more sleep and attention problems than kids whose moms didn't take acetaminophen while carrying them.

This follows a 2021 consensus statement published in the journal Nature Reviews Endocrinology urging caution in the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy. So talk to your obstetrician before you take this pain reliever either over-the-counter (it's in 600 medications) or as a prescription.

For pain relief, alternative approaches include acupuncture, massage (only from a certified prenatal massage therapist), heat packs, meditation, wearing low-heeled shoes, getting physical therapy (again, see only PTs certified to manage pregnancy-related cases), sleeping on your side (stretched out, not in a fetal position, with a pillow between your knees/legs), and wearing a maternity support belt.