pregnancy support belt / back pain advice

[ARV1981]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone was using/has used a pregnancy support belt? I'm 22 weeks (today!) so I don't think I need it yet. I like to be prepared though so thought I'd look into them... I've found some contraptions on amazon which look terrifying, and a comfy looking thing on john Lewis. Has anyone found them helpful? Or are they a complete waste of money?

I have a long (and painful) history of back pain and problems (2 years ago I had 3 slipped discs at once... ouch) so am terrified this pregnancy will make it worse. I'm doing everything I can to prevent problems - aquatic (for pregnant ladies), monthly visits to the osteopath and I'm taking the last month off work and tacking on my remaining holiday so I get 7 weeks off before baby's due date.

Hi
You might not need it. Belts are also meant to be prescribed by someone who knows what they re doing and in a lot of cases education and exercises and lifestyle management from an early stage can help more than the belt. Sometimes the belts are just not what s needed so it depends on where your issue is.
You sound like you have a lot of support lined up already. Often disc problems ease with pregnancy and some of the problems I see more of are managing after the baby is born in terms of lifting etc and finding the time to regularly strengthen as the body changes back after pregnancy.

It might be helpful to have a referral or appointment with women's health Physio linked with your maternity hospital and a chAt about labour positions etc or maybe your osteo will be able to do that too.

Morning
I have cauda equina syndrome due to 2 prolapsed discs which led to 2 laminectomys
I'm currently 25+3 and have had problems on and off during my pregnancy, one of them being PGD
I was seen by pain management and physio a few weeks ago and have a regime set I place to try and make my symptoms more manageable for the rest of my pregnancy until I can use medication again. I've been given a proper support belt and a tens machine, I start physio sessions in the hydro pool this week, and there are talks of using accupucture.
I strongly advise that you flag your problems up with your midwife/consultant so they can refer you to a professional that can help

Thank you. I tried to make an appointment yesterday to see my go but they weren't answering the phone and the message said they were in a staff meeting . Will try again today!

Losthermind - sounds painful. I hope the regimen is working and your able to still do stuff.

When my discs went it pushed my whole spine out and I was walking like an old lady for weeks . I have never been in so much pain but silver lining is I'm not in the least bit worried about the birth - I don't believe it can be as bad.... (famous last words, eh?)