Background: More than a third of women experience back pain during pregnancy.
Objectives: The objective of the review was to assess the effects of preventive interventions and treatments for backache in pregnancy.
Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register.
Selection criteria: Randomised trials of any treatment to reduce the incidence or severity of back pain in pregnancy, or to prevent back pain arising in pregnancy.
Data collection and analysis: Trial quality was assessed and data were extracted independently by two reviewers.
Main results: One trial of 109 women was included. This cross-over trial compared the use of a special shaped pillow to fit under the woman's abdomen (Ozzlo pillow) with a standard pillow. Women experienced less pain in the week when they used the Ozzlo pillow than in the week with the standard pillow (odds ratio 0.32, 95% confidence interval 0.18 to 0.58).
Reviewer's conclusions: Specially shaped pillows appear to help reduce back pain in late pregnancy and improve sleep.