Back pain

[Mildly]

I have had a sore lower back since around 8 weeks or maybe before but this last week it has really started to get painful. I had Friday off as I could barely move and took today off because all weekend I haven't been able to maintain the same position for more than about 10-15 minutes without pain. I went to the doctors and saw the nurse practitioner this morning who told me that it isn't anything to be worried about and that it is a shame that the back pain has appeared so early in my pregnancy as it is bound to only get worse She wasn't able to prescribe anything (which I thought she wouldn't be able to) for it but suggested paracetamol if the pain is really bad and then said to keep up my swimming as this will help keep a degree of flexibility.

The odd thing is she suggested I go back to work tomorrow when she could see I was in obvious discomfort. Although I am ok about doing this, I am a bit apprehensive about being able to do my job correctly under the circumstances. I did explain this but she still said I would be better off at work. I found that quite a strange attitude as I expected her to sign me off for the rest of the week in order to rest it. Although I am aware that rest may not help my back if it is destined to get worse anyway, I just assumed that she would sign me off.

Has anyone else been struck down by back pain? I can't sleep properly at night because of it and wondered if anyone has any tips? Also am I just being a wuss about hoping to have been signed off for the next three days?

 

[handbagqueen]

I've had back pain on and off since the beginning and know how awful it can be- I just wanted to stay at home on the sofa as I couldn't stand longer than 15 minutes before I was in agony.
I found that placing a pillow just under my back when I lay down helped- I used one of those squishy pillows which was great. I also got a mini hot water bottle and used that when it got bad.
Thankfully mine did ease off but it still comes back if I do too much so I'm dreading it when I get bigger! I told my doc and she just said get used to it too! She said to take it as easy as possible and to take paracetamal, she also told me I could get some support tights from mothercare- didn;t get a chance to find those though. I once cried my eyes out on the tube cos I had to stand for the whole hour journey and was in agony- don't know why I didn't just ask to sit down, I do now!

 

[Mildly]

Thanks for the tips, I will go and fill a hot water bottle now

I don't envy you having to get the tube home from work, I'm lucky enough to be able to drive and the journey is only half an hour thankfully.

I will have a look out for the support tights they sound interesting. I'm glad it's a four day weekend this weekend, hopefully we should both be able to take it easy

 

[Hazel]

I've been getting back ache from 12 weeks, had a horse riding accident when I was a kid so knew I might. Exercise really helps as it's when I stop moving that it gets stiff. Standing or sitting in one position for too long and it starts to ache.
I was signed off work for 2 weeks when I was bleeding badly and I was really stiff, now that I'm active again and swimming most days it's not to bad but I know tonight when I sit on my fat bum on the sofa I will struggle getting up.

 

[Redshoes]

I do have some back pain if I'm standing too long or bending incorrectly (not using my kness to bend) so I do know how painful and annoying it can be. I would suggest looking for bump supports as they can ease pressure off your back, also sitting straight and not slouching, this really helped me last time 'support band', they also sell the tights and other items to help. If the pain gets worse or you really feel its too much, I'd go back to your GP and get something stronger than paracetamol, they can prescribe it where applicable

Sometimes resting isn't always the best either as it just siezes up the joints, whereas gentle activity will help, though that's easier said than done Also a birthing ball is great for posture, try doing a good half hour on that a day, if you have one that is I really hope it eases for you, it could do, very best wishes

 

[Sherlock]

I did the old hands and knees and rocked back and forwards for a while as I was getting really bad back pain (different from the earlier stages of pregnancy) and LO was lying back to back.

Rocking on my hands and knees a few times a day for 15 minutes or so encouraged LO to turn round. If LO ever goes back that way I really feel it and just start rocking again. Thankfully its not happened in the past few weeks since going head down at 28 weeks.

Might be worth trying incase your LO is lying back to back and causing your pain.

 

[sarafet]

i have it and it's getting worse

i sit at a desk all day so by the end of my shift, my back is killing me i don't like taking paracetemol and the best thing i find that helps is a hot water bottle

if it gets that bad hun, i would ask to be referred to physio

when i come home from work, all i can do is lie on the couch or bed out flat to relieve the pain

 

[dannii87]

I've had a bit of lower back pain (mainly just above my bum cheeks) but nothing too bad luckily (yet!)

I am struggling to find a comfy position on the sofa though, I lay one way, my side aches, I lay another, my side STILL aches. It is frustrating not being able to settle/relax when tiredness kicks in.

I got my mum to massage my back last night and it was loverrrrly

Hope it goes away soon hun xx

 

[lfc_sarah]

I get bad back pain and rib pain too...

I bought a gym ball from argos...
And a breasfeeding pillow (which i use around my back when sitting down ect.
I rock on the gym ball... and it helps back pain a lot

Also paracetamol/hot water bottle...

Hope it gets easier for you xxx

 

[Suzie and Faith]

If you are still struggling at work then go back and see if they can sign you off. i was signed off from 20 weeks with back pain, it meant i wasn't sleeping and it made my job (desk/office/reception) very hard to do and it left me in agony.

I know they don't always reccomend totalyl resting your back but i think sometimes it helps having a while off when you don't have to sit in a certain position or anything. I was off work but i didn't spend it in bed or anything, it just meant i had more time to make myself comfy!

Hope it eases off a bit for you hun xxx

 

[Chrissy1]

I'm not as far as you but I've had back pain for the past week or so..... sitting or lying in one position for any length of time is killing me.

I've ended up having to use one of those big long pillow things that are meant for later in pg to help me rest my top leg on when I'm lying on my side in bed and that seem to help with sleeping.

My main problem now is, same as everyone else, sitting at my PC at work all day.... by 5pm it's killing me!

 

[NickyB]

I think backpain has caught up with me! For the last two days I've finished work with a sharp pain near my coccyx, almost like a trapped nerve. Oh no, hope it doesn't stick around.

 

[Geordie&Bairn]

Ive got terrible back pain at the moment
ive tried to rocking and gym ball cold water to move him
im now sitting wth hot water bottle on baak and playing Colliers fave music THE FEELING album
this always get him moving usually
its now a constant pain more endurable but still hurting
im of for a hot shower in a mo Collier loves showers hope this moves the little monkey

so try hot waster bottle
do you have a birth ball
cold water to move him
soothing long shower
have you tried playing music to the baby i know your not as far along as me but its worth a try.

hope your back pain gets better its not nice is it i can compleatyl empahtise
sarah

 

[Mildly]

Thanks for all your replies girls

I ended up having Tuesday off but went back to work on Wednesday and hobbled through the day - I just couldn't keep in the same position and had to keep getting up and moving about. I went swimming again yesterday which really helped. My back pain really alleviates whilst in the water which is great and I managed to swim half a mile

Still feel sore today but I am definitely going to get a birthing ball to bounce around on and one of those sleeping pillows. I will try playing music too *nods*

Had my midwife appointment yesterday too and she has filled in a referral for physio who should be able to help with some exercises that I can do.

Thanks again for all your tips

 

[Geordie&Bairn]

Thanks for all your replies girls

I ended up having Tuesday off but went back to work on Wednesday and hobbled through the day - I just couldn't keep in the same position and had to keep getting up and moving about. I went swimming again yesterday which really helped. My back pain really alleviates whilst in the water which is great and I managed to swim half a mile

Still feel sore today but I am definitely going to get a birthing ball to bounce around on and one of those sleeping pillows. I will try playing music too *nods*

Had my midwife appointment yesterday too and she has filled in a referral for physio who should be able to help with some exercises that I can do.

Thanks again for all your tips

i hope the gym ball dose the trick hunny and yes defenetly get a body pillow i do not know what id do with out mine
you can get them in Argos for a resonable price
music to try 'classical' its supposed to be easier for the baby to hear
and they react more to it. its worked for me.
sorry you still in pain hope your litte one moves of your back soon.
i think my stern word to my Son the other day also made him move which is a good sign he's listening to his Mammy
sarah

 

[Mildly]

Thanks sarah

I will definitely be taking your advice. I'm glad your son is listening to you so early on also

Thanks