Bum/back pain on the office chair

[bethany112]

Hi all,

Any tips on what to do about bum/back pain at work? I have about 9 weeks left and I'm just so uncomfortable.

The worst thing is my buttocks, due to the extra weight it actually hurts being sat down all the time. I get up and walk around often but it doesn't help at all, as when I sit back down my bum just hurts again. This with the added uncomfortableness of back pain too is just making it unbearable.

My midwife didn't have many suggestions, only a physio, but I'm waiting to hear back. Any tips?

Pillow? Get up every 20/30 mins to either stand or walk around? Have an occupational health assessment?

Hi OP,

Sorry to hear of your back pain!

A midwife, Clare, goes into a lot of detail about back pain in this video, and how to ease it. Hope it helps.

Thanks guys :)

I have a pillow, I've tried that. Although it's not a really fancy one. And I get up and walk around quite a lot, that doesn't help at all, as when I sit back down again it hurts.

I'll watch the video now. Thanks :)

Hi I had this with my last pregnancy and the pain was especially bad on my coccyx. I demanded a Health & Safety assessment at my desk because the chair I used was ancient and I was SO uncomfortable. Anyway they got me a new chair which made a massive difference. I also used a small, thin square pillow for extra support.

Can you take in a birthing ball to sit on? This might help improve your posture.

I get very sore sit bones too so totally get your discomfort- hugs

I thought I was probably the only one feeling like this. I have pain literally right at the bottom of my back so practically in my bum and I only get it on the days I work so its clearly the chairs being uncomfortable with the extra baby weight. It hurts the most when I get up after I've sat for a while. The only thing I've been doing is the same as you've said, getting up and walking about as much as I can and fidgeting about in the chair trying to get into a different position all day long. By the time I ask about ordering a new chair I will no doubt be on maternity leave by then. Roll on the next 8 weeks!

@Ccec

I felt exactly the same, like it was just me. It's so painful. After doing some googling, I'm pretty sure it's the coccyx/tailbone and some websites suggest a donut cushion for support. Although I'm not convinced this will help, it doesn't seem like the right thing for the pain I'm experiencing.

I have pelvic pain and have the coccyx/tailbone agony sitting at the desk all day too. I've tried various cushions and pillows they do not help. Hospital physio adjusted one of my SI joints which have actually stopped me limping on my right leg. Gave me a tubigrip to wear over my bump but at 33 weeks it's too uncomfortable and not sure it helped?! And pregnancy belt no good for sitting.

There are some coccyx cushions on Amazon that are memory foam not a donut shape that I was tempted to try but finishing up in 3 weeks so didn't order one.

I'd try a hot water bottle behind your back whilst sitting for some relief. I'm also regularly taking paracetamol when I'm at work. It's so frustrating!!

@bethany112 If it is worth asking your work about chairs/supports etc then there's no harm asking. The only reason i haven't really is because i work across 2 offices (that are miles apart) so even if they got me a new chair i wouldnt benefit from it everyday and im pretty sure they wouldnt buy me two lol. Interestingly enough a relative of mine has a donut pillow that they used following an operation so i may bring that in to work next week and see if it makes any difference as its not being used.

Ccec coccyx cushions are a triangular wedge with a hole for the coccyx, very different to a donut solid ring.
Each one relieves pressure in a different area.

Coccyx cushion (on offer)

www.completecareshop.co.uk/orthopaedic-aids/back-supports/coccyx-cushion-view-large?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2v2M4a6n4AIV75ztCh3JUgN5EAQYAiABEgLxKfD_BwE

I find trying out different positions and not staying in the same one all day helps me. Obviously it depends on your setup at work. E.g. switching between a chair and stability ball. Also if there is a standing desk somewhere working there periodically.