INTRODUCTION: The lumbar pelvic pain is a common complaint in the population in general; it is a symptom frequently reported during the pregnancy. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence and the characteristics of lumbago in pregnant women, as well as pointing out possible factors of risk related to that pain, and the effect of the physical exercise as a way of intervention and prevention in pregnant women. METHODS: In order to do that, it was done a bibliographic research in national and international publications indexed in the period from 1997 to 2007, in four data basis: LILACS, Medline, SCIENCEDIRECT e SCIELO, with 25 papers about the theme. RESULTS: The results showed that more than half of the pregnant women suffer of lumbar and/or pelvic pain during some time of the pregnancy period. The probable reasons for the lumbago, during this period, are related to the action of the hormone relaxin, which causes changes in the articular mobility and joints, making the women more instable and susceptible to lesions and pain. It is evidenced that the pain increases, mainly, if the women presented that complaint before getting pregnant. Moreover, this symptom can last up to the post-birth period, and cause intervention in the execution of the daily and professional activities, leading to harm in the quality of life and general health. CONCLUSION: Thus, many programs of physical exercises are proposed to decrease the intensity of the pain or prevent it from happening. Some activities as aquatic gymnastics, swimming, yoga and stretching, are indicated for this public and show efficiency in the prevention, reduction and/or definitive relief.

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