Hurts standing up, hurts sitting down!

[coldharbour]

Hi people, I've been a lurker for a while, but need some advice. Have just gone back to work (office job) after 2 weeks off. I am 31 weeks pregnant, and am finding it really painful sitting down or standing up, my joints just cant seem to take it. Does anyone know of any exercises or sleeping positions or anything that could help me, as I still have a depressingly long time left at work, and I dont wont to be in this much pain for the whole of it! Any advice greatly recieved.

Is there an osteopath near you? I had something similar in the late 20w's and two visits to the osteopath helped enormously. I know they can be expensive (though it could be worth investigating whether there are any teaching schools near you, as I went to one in London and as long as you don't mind four people staring at you they are half the price!) but it was soooo worth it.

Have you got a yoga/exercise ball? I find mine much more comfortable than sitting on a chair/sofa, so use it when watching TV. You could even take it into work and use it instead of an office chair. I find changing position frequently is helpful - I can't sit, stand or lay down for too long or it just gets worse. Don't sit at your desk for too long -get up, walk about, have a stretch etc.

Also I have found an NCT pregnancy yoga class locally which has been brilliant. I have a muscle wasting disease so suffer from pain and aches all the time anyway. Yoga has helped a lot and some positions i.e. hands and knees, really take the strain off back and hips. I'm a great believer in keeping moving as much as you can. I have poor mobility but have used a treadmill in the gym throughout my pregnancy. I'm slower than all the old people but it has helped keep me active and has reduced my pain.

With regards to sleeping, the only way I can sleep is on my left side with a pillow behind my back, a pillow under my bump and one between my knees! I think there are special pregnancy pillows you can get but not sure what these are called.

Hope you find something that works anyway. Its a struggle isn't it! (I even get achy elbows for some reason when I'm asleep?!)