A pregnant client in her third trimester complains of lower back pain. The nurse explains that this discomfort is common due to postural changes. Which of the following best explains the role of lordosis in pregnancy-related back pain?

A. Lordosis refers to a straightening of the spine to accommodate fetal weight, which reduces flexibility and causes back pain: Lordosis is an increased inward curvature of the lumbar spine, not a straightening. The curvature helps maintain balance rather than reducing flexibility. B. Lordosis is caused by compression of spinal nerves from the expanding uterus and is typically a sign of neurologic compromise: Lordosis is a normal musculoskeletal adaptation during pregnancy, not a sign of nerve compression or neurologic compromise. C. Increased lumbar lordosis is a compensatory change in spinal curvature that shifts the center of gravity forward to balance the enlarging uterus: The forward shift in center of gravity increases strain on lumbar muscles and ligaments, contributing to common pregnancy-related lower back pain. D. Lordosis develops due to increased thoracic spine curvature and leads to shoulder pain in late pregnancy: Lordosis involves the lumbar spine, not the thoracic spine, and is associated with lower back pain, not shoulder pain.