Back pain at work - anyone else have this?

[NewMummy5July2011]

Hi
I'm 28 weeks and starting to struggle with lower back and hip pain. I find I'm alright at the weekends, but during the week at work I'm starting to really struggle (I sit down most of the day as have an office job).

Can't get comfortable and by the afternoon I'm in quite alot of pain. I get up every hour or so to walk around, am doing yoga and keeping as active as I can but nothing seems to help.

Anyone else struggling with this too? How do you manage through it?

I suffer the same thing and also work in an office. By 2.00 my back is killing and I can't get comfortable at all. Will be watching this post carefully because I haven't found any solution yet!

Just posted about the joys of having a really big support pillow to ease back pain at night. Also suffering (and suffered in 2 previous pregnancies) from sciatica, hip and back pain, which was made worse by working in an office. Last time round I was referred to physio and given a back support thingy, however, I didn't get an appt until I was 38 weeks and had already left work . I am using the back support this time round and it really helps when I'm in the office. Also sitting on a gymball instead of a chair can really help, although I'm freelance so I'm not sure my clients would appreciate me turning up with my own furniture .

Hi MonkeeMummy
What type of back support did you use in the office? I have a DreamGenii one for night time, but not sure how good it would be at work! I'm contracting here so don't think they are too keen on providing me with anything given I'll only be here for another 7 weeks or so... was planning to bring in just a standard pillow tomorrow but not sure if that will do much good?

I have had the same thing since about 6 weeks (now 29) and got an occupational health referal through HR (that I asked for) after about a week off sick where I just couldn't handle the thought of sitting at my chair again. Occupational health recommended a new chair (it was just one phone call with their nurse during which I explained that I have a desk job, cheap chair and was better at the weekends) which has been fab - I will be really upset when I go on mat leave cos the chair is the most comfortable thing ever and I won't be able to take it with me! While I did feel guilty about the cost of the chair (about £500), has been so much cheaper for work than having me off sick or long periods of time.

Your HR depatment should do regular risk assessments and desk assessments for you throughout you pregnancy. If you are in pain ask them to do a DSE assessment for you and they might well recomend a chair with more back support. If they do get you a really posh chair make sure you get some proper help to set it up and some employers even run courses about how to sit properly!

Hi NewMummy, I didn't use any back support in the office last time; I just moaned and groaned a lot and my big pillow would require its own chair . The elasticated lumbar support from the hospital physio has really worked this time - even though I got it too late last time round. It's like a wide elasticated band with velcro strips, which wraps round your lumbar region and hips (and under your bump). You can buy them online but it might be worth asking your midwife for an urgent referral to physio or whether you can use a TENS machine for back pain during pregnancy? Hope you manage to get it sorted, back pain sucks.