Weird back thing..any suggestions?

[Jessajam]

Ever since having ds1 (8mo) I have had an odd problem with my back. If I trip over or nearly do but stop myself (and I am fairly clumsy so this has happened quite a few times) I get a real jolt of pain in my mid-low back.

My self-diagnosis is that this is because my waist muscles (IYSWIM) are so pathetic after being stretched around bump, and I have done next to nothing in the way of post-natal exercises.
Am I right? And if so, can anyone recommend any exercises to strengthen this area (I know pilates focuses on it, but don't want a full regime, just one or two to try to pop in to my daily life!)

Would suggest you visit your GP in the first instance to get this medically assessed.

I would not try to self diagnose such a problem.

I've had this, and you're probably right that it is due to weak core body strength. But there could be an underlying problem, like a slight misalignment in the spine, caused by the pregnancy/labour/weak muscles, that would not be resolved simply be strengthening the muscles. You do need to get it properly assessed by a physio or osteopath. If you are happy to go private (and therefore get seen and treated very quickly) you can self-refer to the therapist of your choice. Otherwise, do see your GP first.

There are loads of simple exercises that can help, but you need to get your spine checked out first. Meanwhile, make sure not to stoop while picking your ds up, but to bend knees and hips while keeping your back as straight as possible. Also carry him and other weights as close to your body as possible and as close to the midline (front or back) as possible - carryng a child on your hip is absolutely dreadful for your back and can cause permanent curvature.

Oh buggar! Really hoped I could avoid GP, and that loads of MNers would reply saying "yes you lazy cow, you need to exercise, and here are exercises that take 5 minutes and can be done while washing up/driving"!!!!

Ho hum...

I would go very, very carefully if I were you - only because that is exactly how I felt about eight months ago - and then one day bent over to pick up DS from his cot and suddenly felt like I had been stabbed in the back - the pain was short, but excruciating - finally went to see an osteopath and have a suspected prolapsed or slipped disc - get it checked out ASAP because, if that is what is happening to you, you are just inflaming and aggravating everything -
Don't want to be an alarmist, but it's definitely worth finding out -